For , the formula defines a bounded functional on with . Conversely, every is represented this way by the bounded sequence . This is an isometric isomorphism of normed spaces.
The continuous dual space of a real normed vector space is
with the operator norm
Two normed spaces are isometrically isomorphic when there is a bijective linear map between them that preserves norms.
For , define
The series is absolutely convergent and
so and . For every , choose with and test on . This gives the reverse inequality, hence
Conversely, given , set . Then , so . For , its finite partial sums converge to in norm; continuity of therefore gives
The representing sequence is unique, and the construction is linear and norm preserving. Thus the duality of l1 and l infinity proves