Is the Quotient of a Banach Space by a Closed Linear Subspace also Banach?

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In summary, a Banach space is a complete normed vector space that is closed under limits. A closed linear subspace is a subset of a vector space that is itself a vector space and is closed under addition and scalar multiplication. The quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace is also a Banach space, and this has many applications in functional analysis and mathematics. There are no exceptions to the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace being a Banach space, but the quotient space may have different properties than the original Banach space.
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Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Prove that the quotient of a Banach space $X$ by a closed linear subspace $M$ is Banach with respect to the norm $$\|x + M\| := \inf\{\|x + y\|_X : y\in M\}\quad (x\in X)$$

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Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution, which you can read below:
The wording of the question implies that the given function $\|x+M\|$ is a norm on the quotient space, and we just have to show that it makes the quotient space complete.

Let $\{x_n+M\}_{n\in\Bbb{N}}$ be a Cauchy sequence in $X/M$. There exists an increasing sequence $\{n_k\}_{k\in\Bbb{N}}$ such that $\|x_m - x_n+M\| = \|(x_m+M) - (x_n+M)\| <2^{-k}$ whenever $m,n \geqslant n_k$.

The next step is to construct a sequence $\{y_k\}$ with $y_k\in x_{n_k}+M$ such that $\|y_k - y_{k+1}\| < 2^{-k}$. Let $y_1 = x_{n_1}$. Then $$\| x_{n_1} - x_{n_2} + M\| = \inf_{z\in M} \{ x_{n_1} - (x_{n_2}+z)\| <2^{-1}.$$ If $y_2 = x_{n_2} +z$, where $z$ is sufficiently close to achieving that infimum, then $y_2\in x_{n_2} + M$ and $\|y_1-y_2\| < 2^{-1}$.

The inductive construction for the rest of the sequence is essentially the same. If $y_k \in x_{n_k}$, then $$\| x_{n_k} - x_{n_{k+1}} + M\| = \inf_{z\in M} \{ y_k - (x_{n_2}+z)\| <2^{-k},$$ and we can choose $y_{k+1} = x_{n_2}+z$ so that $\|y_k - y_{k+1}\| < 2^{-k}.$

The sequence $\{y_k\}$ is Cauchy in $X$, because if $l>k$ then $$\|y_k - y_l\| \leqslant \|y_k - y_{k+1}\| + \|y_{k+1} - y_{k+2}\| + \ldots + \|y_{l-1} - y_l\| < 2^{-k} + 2^{-(k+1)} + \ldots + 2^{-(l-1)} < \sum_{r=k}^\infty 2^{-r} = 2^{-(k-1)}.$$ Since $X$ is complete, it follows that $\{y_k\}$ converges to a limit $x$. Therefore $\|(x_{n_k}+M) -( x + M)\| \leqslant \|y_k - x\| \to0$ as $k\to\infty$. But if a subsequence of a Cauchy sequence converges, then the whole sequence converges (to the same limit). Therefore $\{x_n+M\}$ converges to $x+M$, which shows that $X/M$ is complete.
 

FAQ: Is the Quotient of a Banach Space by a Closed Linear Subspace also Banach?

What is a Banach space?

A Banach space is a complete normed vector space. This means that it is a vector space equipped with a norm (a way to measure the size of vectors) such that all Cauchy sequences (sequences that do not "escape to infinity") converge to a point in the space. Examples of Banach spaces include Euclidean spaces and spaces of continuous functions.

What is a closed linear subspace?

A closed linear subspace is a subset of a vector space that is itself a vector space and is closed under the operations of addition and scalar multiplication. This means that the sum of two vectors in the subspace is also in the subspace, and the product of a vector in the subspace and a scalar is also in the subspace. Additionally, a closed linear subspace is closed under limits, meaning that any sequence of vectors in the subspace that converges will have its limit also in the subspace.

Is the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace also a Banach space?

Yes, the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace is also a Banach space. This is because the quotient space inherits the norm and metric structure of the original Banach space, and the quotient map (which takes a vector to its equivalence class in the quotient space) is a continuous and linear mapping. Therefore, the quotient space is also complete and satisfies the definition of a Banach space.

What is the significance of the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace?

The quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace has many applications in functional analysis and mathematics in general. It allows for the study of various types of spaces (such as Lp spaces) by reducing them to simpler spaces. It also helps in understanding the structure and properties of a Banach space by breaking it down into its subspaces. Additionally, the quotient space can be used to construct new Banach spaces by taking the completion of the quotient space.

Are there any exceptions to the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace being a Banach space?

No, there are no exceptions to the quotient of a Banach space by a closed linear subspace being a Banach space. The definition of a Banach space ensures that any closed linear subspace and its quotient space will also be complete and satisfy the definition of a Banach space. However, it is important to note that the quotient space may have different properties than the original Banach space, such as a different dimension or different types of functions that it contains.

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