# Math Help - Proving a function is a metric

1. ## Proving a function is a metric

Hello.

I have the following function:

$d_1(x,y)=d(x,y)/(1+d(x,y))$

where $d(x,y)$ is already a metric on some set $X$ and I am asked to prove that $d_1(x,y)$ is also a metric on $X$.

It is easy enough to show that $d_1(x,y)$ is symmetric and positive definite, however, I am having problems with showing that $d_1(x,y)$ satisfies the triangle identity.

I have tried a couple of different things (lots of algebra, transforming into a geo series, etc...) but either I keep on making mistakes or I am heading down the wrong path because I can never get it to reduce the way I want it too.

Any hints would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

2. Originally Posted by mpetnuch
Hello.

I have the following function:

$d_1(x,y)=d(x,y)/(1+d(x,y))$
We want to show,
$d_1(x,y)\leq d_1(x,z)+d_1(z,y)$
Iff,
$\frac{d(x,y)}{1+d(x,y)} \leq \frac{d(x,z)}{1+d(x,z)}+\frac{d(y,z)}{1+d(y,z)}$
Iff,
$d(x,y)(1+d(x,z))(1+d(y,z))$ $\leq d(x,z)(1+d(x,y))(1+d(y,z))+d(y,z)(1+d(x,y))(1+d(x, z))$
Let $A=d(x,y), \ B=d(x,z) , \ C=d(y,z)$.
Thus,
$A(1+B)(1+C)\leq B(1+A)(1+C)+C(1+A)(1+B)$
Multiply,
$A+AB+AC+ABC\leq B+BC+AB+ABC+C+AC+BC+ABC$
Thus,
$A\leq (B+C) + (2BC+ABC)$
This is true because,
$A\leq B+C$ by triangle inequality.
And you are adding $2BC+ABC$ a non-negative quantity thus it does not decrease.

3. Thanks! I originally tired that but for some reason I didn't think to reuse the original T.I.!