# Statements about Equivalent metrics? Which are true?

Let $$d_1$$ $$d_2$$ be equivalent metrics in an non empty set X

1. If $$U$$ is $$d_1$$ open then $$U$$ is $$d_2$$ open.
2. If $$U$$ is $$d_1$$ closed then $$U$$ is $$d_2$$ closed.
3. If $$U$$ is $$d_1$$ bounded then $$U$$ is $$d_2$$ bounded.
4. Constant function is $$d_1$$ - $$d_2$$ continuous.
5. identity function is $$d_1$$ - $$d_2$$ continuous.
6. If $$U$$ is $$d_1$$ open ball then $$U$$ is $$d_2$$ open ball.
7. $$v(x,y)$$ = $$| d_1(x,y) -d_2(x,y)|\,$$ is a metric on $$X$$.
• Just write down the definition of equivalent metrics, and say what's the problem with 4). I'm pretty sure, you can do this! – Ilya Jun 7 '13 at 17:05
• Do you know any equivalent metrics? Here's an example: the euclidean metric and the taxicab metric on $\mathbb{R}^2$ are equivalent. Play around with them - it might help you to get a feel for things. (Actually, there are two notions of equivalence, and I don't know which you're talking about, but these two metrics are equivalent in both senses.) – Billy Jun 7 '13 at 17:11
• @Ilya: Why is question 4. a problem? – copper.hat Jun 7 '13 at 17:34
• Since the constant function is contious with respect to any mertic 4) is correct right? Even if the metrics weren't equivalent – Infinity78 Jun 7 '13 at 18:01
• @copper.hat in fact, I meant 3) which was less trivial but still easy nuff to start thinking of how to deal with equivalent metrics. Typo – Ilya Jun 8 '13 at 9:00

I assume you say

DEF Two metrics $d_1,d_2$ are equivalent on some set $X$ if they generate the same topology.

You should see that $1.$ and $2.$ are true using the definition of equivalence of metrics.

For $3.$, take any unbounded metric $d(x,y)$ and set $d'(x,y)=\min\{d(x,y),1\}$.

For $6.$ consider the Euclidean metric versus the $\max$ metric on $\Bbb R^n$ to come up with a counterexample.

What do you mean by the identity being $d_1-d_2$ continuous? Do you mean $\operatorname{id}:(X,d_1)\to(X,d_2)$ is continuous? If so, again look at the definition of equivalence of metrics. Take an open set $G$ in $(X,d_2)$. It's preimage is the same set. Is it open in $(X,d_1)$?

For $4.$, recall that constant functions are always continuous.

For $7.$, can you find two points such that $x\neq y$ but $d_1(x,y)=d_2(x,y)$? In such a case, you will find this violates that $v(x,y)=0\iff x=y$.

• Yes, that’s what’s meant in (4) and (5). And of course in (4) it doesn’t really matter what’s meant, since constant functions are always continuous. You might add a hint for (7): What if $d_1=d_2$? – Brian M. Scott Jun 7 '13 at 21:26
• @BrianM.Scott Aha. ${}{}{}$ The $\TeX$-ed $-$ was confusing! – Pedro Tamaroff Jun 7 '13 at 21:28