Norm

1 min read Updated Fri Apr 24 2026 07:36:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aka. induced norm.

x=x,x||x||=\sqrt{\langle x,x\rangle}

A norm is usually associated with an inner product of a vector space. However any arbitrary operation with the below properties can also be defined as a norm:

  • x:VF||x||: V \rightarrow F is a function
  • x0||x|| \ge 0 and x=0    x=0||x|| = 0 \iff x = \underline{0}
  • ax=ax||ax|| = |a|\cdot||x||
  • x+yx+y||x+y|| \le ||x|| + ||y||

Properties

Multiplication

ax=ax||ax|| = |a| \cdot ||x||

Expansion

ax+by=a2x2+2Re(abx,y)+b2y2|| ax + by || = |a|^2 ||x||^2 + 2\text{Re}(\overline{a}b\langle x,y\rangle) + |b|^2 ||y||^2

Triangle Inequality

x+yx+y|| x + y || \le ||x|| + ||y||

Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality

x,yxy||\langle x,y\rangle|| \le ||x|| \cdot ||y||

Normed Space

A vector space with a norm.

Distance

For 2 vectors, x,yx,y, distance between the 2 vectors is given by xy||x-y||.