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Quasinorm

Quasinorm is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Quasinorm rather than just read about it. In short: In linear algebra, functional analysis and related areas of mathematics, a quasinorm is similar to a norm in that it satisfies the norm axioms, except that the triangle inequality is replaced by ‖ x + y ‖ ≤ K ( ‖ x ‖ + ‖ y ‖ ) {\displaystyle \|x+y\|\leq K(\|x\|+\|y\|)} for some K > 1. {\displaystyle K>1.} Definition A quasi-seminorm on a vector space X {\displaystyle X} is a real-valued map p {\displaystyle p} on X…

Key takeaways

  • Quasinorm belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Quasinorm to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Quasinorm from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In linear algebra, functional analysis and related areas of mathematics, a quasinorm is similar to a norm in that it satisfies the norm axioms, except that the triangle inequality is replaced by

‖ x + y ‖ ≤ K ( ‖ x ‖ + ‖ y ‖ ) {\displaystyle \|x+y\|\leq K(\|x\|+\|y\|)}

for some K > 1. {\displaystyle K>1.}

Definition A quasi-seminorm on a vector space X {\displaystyle X} is a real-valued map p {\displaystyle p} on X {\displaystyle X} that satisfies the following conditions:

Non-negativity: p ≥ 0 ; {\displaystyle p\geq 0;}

Absolute homogeneity: p ( s x ) = | s | p ( x ) {\displaystyle p(sx)=|s|p(x)} for all x ∈ X {\displaystyle x\in X} and all scalars s ; {\displaystyle s;}

there exists a real k ≥ 1 {\displaystyle k\geq 1} such that p ( x + y ) ≤ k [ p ( x ) + p ( y ) ] {\displaystyle p(x+y)\leq k[p(x)+p(y)]} for all x , y ∈ X . {\displaystyle x,y\in X.}

If k = 1 {\displaystyle k=1} then this inequality reduces to the triangle inequality. It is in this sense that this condition generalizes the usual triangle inequality.

A quasinorm is a quasi-seminorm that also satisfies:

Positive definite/Point-separating: if x ∈ X {\displaystyle x\in X} satisfies p ( x ) = 0 , {\displaystyle p(x)=0,} then x = 0. {\displaystyle x=0.}

A pair ( X , p ) {\displaystyle (X,p)} consisting of a vector space X {\displaystyle X} and an associated quasi-seminorm p {\displaystyle p} is called a quasi-seminormed vector space. If the quasi-seminorm is a quasinorm then it is also called a quasinormed vector space. Multiplier The infimum of all values of k {\displaystyle k} that satisfy condition (3) is called the multiplier of p . {\displaystyle p.} The multiplier itself will also satisfy condition (3) and so it is the unique smallest real number that satisfies this condition. The term k {\displaystyle k} -quasi-seminorm is sometimes used to describe a quasi-seminorm whose multiplier is equal to k . {\displaystyle k.} A norm (respectively, a seminorm) is just a quasinorm (respectively, a quasi-seminorm) whose multiplier is 1. {\displaystyle 1.} Thus every seminorm is a quasi-seminorm and every norm is a quasinorm (and a quasi-seminorm).

Topology If p {\displaystyle p} is a quasinorm on X {\displaystyle X} then p {\displaystyle p} induces a vector topology on X {\displaystyle X} whose neighborhood basis at the origin is given by the sets:

{ x ∈ X : p ( x ) < 1 / n } {\displaystyle \{x\in X:p(x)<1/n\}}

as n {\displaystyle n} ranges over the positive integers. A topological vector space with such a topology is called a quasinormed topological vector space or just a quasinormed space. Every quasinormed topological vector space is pseudometrizable. A complete quasinormed space is called a quasi-Banach space. Every Banach space is a quasi-Banach space, although not conversely.

Related definitions

A quasinormed space ( A , ‖ ⋅ ‖ ) {\displaystyle (A,\|\,\cdot \,\|)} is called a quasinormed algebra if the vector space A {\displaystyle A} is an algebra and there is a constant K > 0 {\displaystyle K>0} such that

‖ x y ‖ ≤ K ‖ x ‖ ⋅ ‖ y ‖ {\displaystyle \|xy\|\leq K\|x\|\cdot \|y\|}

for all x , y ∈ A . {\displaystyle x,y\in A.}

A complete quasinormed algebra is called a quasi-Banach algebra.

Characterizations A topological vector space (TVS) is a quasinormed space if and only if it has a bounded neighborhood of the origin.

Examples Since every norm is a quasinorm, every normed space is also a quasinormed space.

L p {\displaystyle L^{p}} spaces with 0 < p < 1 {\displaystyle 0<p<1}

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Quasinorm

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Quasinorm claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Quasinorm before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Quasinorm ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Quasinorm

In research
Quasinorm appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Quasinorm in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Quasinorm is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Linear algebra, Norms (mathematics), so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Quasinorm outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Quasinorm in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Quasinorm means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Quasinorm out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Quasinorm in simple terms?

In linear algebra, functional analysis and related areas of mathematics, a quasinorm is similar to a norm in that it satisfies the norm axioms, except that the triangle inequality is replaced by ‖ x + y ‖ ≤ K ( ‖ x ‖ + ‖ y ‖ ) {\displaystyle \|x+y\|\leq K(\|x\|+\|y\|)} for some K > 1. {\displaystyl…

Why does Quasinorm matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Quasinorm?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Quasinorm.

Tags

  • Linear algebra
  • Norms (mathematics)

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