Normed space always vector space

normed-spacesvector-spaces

Why the definition of a normed space always includes that it is a vector space and not just a set with a norm like as with metric spaces?
So are there normed spaces (only set+norm) that are not vector spaces or is it necessary to have objects like vectors to define a norm?

Best Answer

The definition of a norm already assumes the set is a vector space over $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$. If we don't have addition and scalar multiplication then the axioms $||x+y||\leq ||x||+||y||$ and $||\alpha\cdot x||=|\alpha|\cdot ||x||$ make no sense.

You should not confuse between normed spaces and metric spaces. These are two different terms. The relation is that a norm defines a metric on the vector space by $d(x,y)=||x-y||$, but that's it. There are lots of other metrics as well. (and not just on vector spaces)

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