[Math] Showing that $\mathbb{R}$ is a metric space with the metric $d(x,y)=|x-y|$

metric-spacesproof-verification

I want to show that $\mathbb{R}$ is a metric space with the metric $d(x,y)=|x-y|$.

So three properties of the metric space $d(x,y)$ in general needs to be satisfied.

My work:

  1. Let $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$, then by definition, $|x-y|\geq0$. Also $$|x-y|=0$$ $$\Leftrightarrow x-y = 0$$ $$\Leftrightarrow x=y$$

  2. EDIT: Let $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$, then $$|x-y|=|-(x-y)|= |y-x|$$ by absolute value property.

  3. Let $x,y,z \in \mathbb{R}$. Then $$|x-z| = |x-y+y-z| \leq |x-y| + |y-z|$$ by triangle inequality.

Thus $|x-y|$ is a metric on $\mathbb{R}$, or $\mathbb{R}$ is a metric space with $d(x,y)=|x-y|$.

Is this proof correct?

Best Answer

Yes, the proof is correct. To make the style consistent across the proof, you could have written "Let $x,y\in\mathbb R$" in $2$., like you did in $1$. and $3$.

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