[Math] Metric space of continuous functions

functional-analysismetric-spaces

Let $C[a,b]$ denote all continuous functions $:[a,b] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$, with the metric

$$d(f,g)=\sup |f(x) – g(x)| \text{ for } a\leq x \leq b.$$

Show that $d(f,g)$ is a metric space.

I have started with this:
Since continuos function is bounded, so i use the same proof from it: " $B[a,b]$ denote for all bounded functions $:[a,b] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$, with

$d(f,g)=\sup |f(x) – g(x)|$ for $a\leq x \leq b$ "

to prove those (continuos function is metric space). Is it right? Or there is another way?

Best Answer

It sounds like you already know that the set of bounded functions, $B[a,b]$, is a metric space under the metric $d$. In that case, you made a very nice observation that since continuous functions are bounded, $C[a,b]$ is contained in $B[a,b]$. And any subset of a metric space is a metric space! Well done.

You can also show it directly -- nonnegativity and symmetry are almost immediate, and then you only have to show triangle inequality.