Categorical Counterpart to Relation bet Metric and Measure S

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between measure spaces and metric spaces, and the possibility of expressing this relationship using category theory. It is mentioned that a metric space can have multiple associated sigma algebras and measures, and the existence of a functor between the categories of metric spaces and measurable spaces is explored. The topic of Hausdorff metric and measure is also brought up. However, it is noted that further input from an expert in category theory is needed to fully answer the question.
  • #1
WWGD
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Hi, just curious. Sorry I am trying to get a handle on this , will try to make it more precise:
I am trying to see if the following has a categorical parallel/counterpart.
Consider the case of measure spaces (X,S,m) : X any space, S a sigma algebra, m a measure and that
of metric spaces (Y,d) with ( I would say) continuous maps. Given a metric space (Y,d) , there always exists a measure space associated with it, given by the sigma algebra generated by the open sets ( themselves generated by open metric balls ), and measure is n-dimensional volume. But, a given measure triple (X,S,m) does not necessarily correspond to a metric space (X,d), i.e, (X,S,m) is not necessarily a measure triple associated to (X,d).
(Phew!) Is there a way of expressing/describing the above using Category Theory, e.g., can we describe the above in terms of the non-existence of functors between the categories (Metric spaces, Cont. Maps) and (measure spaces with measurable maps)?
Thanks, sorry for the rambling.
 
  • #4
WWGD said:
Hi, just curious. Sorry I am trying to get a handle on this , will try to make it more precise:
I am trying to see if the following has a categorical parallel/counterpart.
Consider the case of measure spaces (X,S,m) : X any space, S a sigma algebra, m a measure and that
of metric spaces (Y,d) with ( I would say) continuous maps. Given a metric space (Y,d) , there always exists a measure space associated with it, given by the sigma algebra generated by the open sets ( themselves generated by open metric balls ), and measure is n-dimensional volume.

How would you define this measure? What does dimension mean here?
 
  • #5
Ah, yes, sorry, I was thinking of ## \mathbb R^n ##. Still, the issue is whether the possibility/issue of an assignment of a measure/ sigma algebra to a metric space (the one generated by the open sets and n-dimensional voume) can be described functorially or has a parallel description in terms of category theory. So that, e.g., the existence of a functor between these two categories would give a yes answer and a nonexistence woud say no.
Re the general issue,. maybe in general metric spaces we can use the Hausdorff measure and the Borel sigma algebra? I think this last may not work, I have not thought it through enough.
 
  • #6
So indeed, you can have the category ##\textbf{Top}## of topological spaces and the category ##\textbf{Meas}## of measurable spaces (sets with ##\sigma##-algebra). Then you indeed have a functor ##F:\textbf{Top}\rightarrow \textbf{Meas}##.

There are of course various functors from ##\textbf{Meas}## to ##\textbf{Top}##, but you will probably be interesting in some kind of left-or right adjoint of ##F##.
 
  • #7
Ah, thanks, been out of school for too long.
 
  • #8
WWGD said:
Hi, just curious. Sorry I am trying to get a handle on this , will try to make it more precise:
I am trying to see if the following has a categorical parallel/counterpart.
Consider the case of measure spaces (X,S,m) : X any space, S a sigma algebra, m a measure and that
of metric spaces (Y,d) with ( I would say) continuous maps. Given a metric space (Y,d) , there always exists a measure space associated with it, given by the sigma algebra generated by the open sets ( themselves generated by open metric balls ), and measure is n-dimensional volume. But, a given measure triple (X,S,m) does not necessarily correspond to a metric space (X,d), i.e, (X,S,m) is not necessarily a measure triple associated to (X,d).
(Phew!) Is there a way of expressing/describing the above using Category Theory, e.g., can we describe the above in terms of the non-existence of functors between the categories (Metric spaces, Cont. Maps) and (measure spaces with measurable maps)?
Thanks, sorry for the rambling.
Given a metric space one can associate many different sigma algebras with it. For instance: the sigma algebra generated by the open sets; the sigma algebra generated by the open balls; and so on. I don't know of any obvious way to define a measure on either of these sigma algebras given only the metric. There is of course a whole theory of Hausdorff dimension and Hausdorff measure. So I think your assumptions are not true and hence your question ill-posed.
 
  • #9
gill1109 said:
Given a metric space one can associate many different sigma algebras with it. For instance: the sigma algebra generated by the open sets; the sigma algebra generated by the open balls; and so on. I don't know of any obvious way to define a measure on either of these sigma algebras given only the metric. There is of course a whole theory of Hausdorff dimension and Hausdorff measure. So I think your assumptions are not true and hence your question ill-posed.
Please refer to my post #5 where I made my argument more specific, refined. I did refer to the general issue of the _possibility_ of this correspondence , and I also referred to Hausdorff metric and Hausdorff measure.
 
  • #10
WWGD said:
Please refer to my post #5 where I made my argument more specific, refined. I did refer to the general issue of the _possibility_ of this correspondence , and I also referred to Hausdorff metric and Hausdorff measure.
Thanks. We need an expert on category theory to answer this.
 

Related to Categorical Counterpart to Relation bet Metric and Measure S

1. What is the categorical counterpart to the relation between metric and measure?

The categorical counterpart to the relation between metric and measure is called a categorical metric. It is a mathematical structure that allows for the definition of distances and lengths within a category or group of objects.

2. How is a categorical metric related to a traditional metric?

While a traditional metric deals with measurements in physical space, a categorical metric deals with relationships and similarities between objects within a category. In other words, it measures how close or far apart objects are in terms of their characteristics or properties rather than their physical distance.

3. What is the purpose of a categorical metric?

The purpose of a categorical metric is to provide a way to quantify and compare objects within a category or group. It allows for the identification of patterns and relationships between objects, which can help in understanding and organizing complex data sets.

4. How does a categorical metric differ from a measure?

A measure is a function that assigns a numerical value to a set of objects or events. A categorical metric, on the other hand, is a structure that defines how distances and lengths are measured within a category. While a measure can be applied to any set of objects, a categorical metric is specific to a particular category or group.

5. Can a categorical metric be applied in all fields of science?

Yes, a categorical metric can be applied in various fields of science, including mathematics, computer science, physics, biology, and social sciences. It is a versatile tool that can help in analyzing and understanding data in different areas of study.

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