The maximum norm is a way to measure how big something is by looking at the biggest number in a list. It's like finding the tallest tree in a forest to know how tall the forest can be.
A 'norm' is a standard or rule that is socially enforced, guiding behavior within a society or group. Norms can be explicit, such as laws, or implicit, like cultural customs, and they play a crucial role in maintaining social order and cohesion.