P-Norm is Norm

Theorem
The $p$-norm on the real and complex numbers is a norm.

Proof
Let $\displaystyle K \in \set {\R, \C}$.

Norm Axiom $(\text N 1)$
By defintion of $p$-norm:


 * $\displaystyle \norm {\mathbf x}_p = \paren {\sum_{n \mathop = 0}^\infty \size {x_n}^p}^{1/p}$

Suppose $\sequence {x_n}_{n \mathop \in \N_0} \in K$.

The complex modulus of $x_n$ is real and non-negative.

The sum of non-negative real numbers is non-negative.

Power of Positive Real Number is Positive.

Zero raised to a positive power is zero.

Hence, $\norm {\mathbf x}_p \ge 0$.

Suppose, $\norm {\mathbf x}_p = 0$.

Then:

Thus norm axiom $(\text N 1)$ is satisfied.

Norm Axiom $(\text N 2)$
Suppose, $\lambda \in K$.

Thus norm axiom $(\text N 2)$ is satisfied.

Norm Axiom $(\text N 3)$
If $\mathbf x = \sequence 0$ and $\mathbf y = \sequence 0$, then by $\paren {\text N 1}$ we have equality.

If $\mathbf x + \mathbf y = \sequence 0$ and both $\bf x$ and $\bf y$ nonvanishing, then by $\paren {\text N 1}$ we get a strict inequality.

If $\mathbf x + \mathbf y \ne \sequence 0$, then consider p-norm raised to the power of $p$:

Thus norm axiom $(\text N 3)$ is satisfied.

All norm axioms are seen to be satisfied.

Hence the result.