Seminormed spaces (Q1898764)

It is well known that if \(|\;|\) and \(|\;|'\) are two seminorms on a vector space \(G\) over a nonarchimedean field \(K\), then \(|\;|\) is weaker than \(|\;|'\) if and only if there exists a constant \(M > 0\) such that \(|x|\leq M |x|'\) for all \(x \in G\). The author points out that this property is no longer true for nonarchimedean seminorms on arbitrary groups \(G\). However by reformulating the above property replacing the constant \(M\) by some suitable classes of real functions he proves an equivalent property for \(|\;|\) being weaker than \(|\;|'\) in a group. Using the above equivalent property necessary and sufficient conditions for the topological equivalence of seminorms are derived. Using the above results some characterizations of the continuous homomorphisms between seminormed groups are obtained. A formula for \(|\varphi |\) where \(\varphi\) is a continuous homomorphism from the additive group \(Z\) of integers into an abelian nonarchimedean seminormed group is given.