Connection between Monotone and One-to-one Functions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores the relationship between monotone and one-to-one functions, confirming that while a monotone function is always one-to-one, the converse is not necessarily true. An example provided is the function f(x) = 1/x, which is injective but not monotone due to its discontinuity at x=0. It is established that an injective and continuous function is strictly monotone, but monotonicity does not imply continuity, as shown by another example. The conversation concludes by noting that in the context of totally ordered topological spaces, an injective and continuous function will be monotonic if the domain is connected. Understanding these relationships is crucial in mathematical analysis.
hadron23
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Hello,

I was curious about the following point. I know that if a function is monotone, then it is one to one (meaning for x1 != x2, then f(x1) != f(x2) ).

But what about the converse? I can't seem to think of a counter-example.
 
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How about f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} given by

f(x) = \left\{ \begin{array}{ll}<br /> 1/x &amp; x \neq 0 \\<br /> 0 &amp; x = 0<br /> \end{array} \right.

It's injective, but not monotone (because it's not continuous ;) ).
 
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Likes Zacarias Nason
Thanks!

So, is that to say, that any injective, continuous function is strictly monotone?
 
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Likes Zacarias Nason
Correct.
 
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hadron23 said:
Thanks!

So, is that to say, that any injective, continuous function is strictly monotone?

If f is bijective and monotone with both its range and domain being a closed and bounded interval...then what can we say about the continuity of f ?
 
Bhatia said:
If f is bijective and monotone with both its range and domain being a closed and bounded interval...then what can we say about the continuity of f ?

This thread is 2 years old. I guess the OP already found it by now.
 
micromass said:
This thread is 2 years old. I guess the OP already found it by now.

Hello, Micromass

Thanks for your reply.

If f is injective and continuous then it is strictly monotone...that is clear

My question is : If f is montone then is f continuous ?
 
No, there are a lot of counterexamples, for example

f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}:x\rightarrow \left\{\begin{array}{c} x~\text{if}~x\leq 0\\ x+1~\text{if}~x&gt;0\\ \end{array}\right.

This is injective and strictly increasing, but not continuous. If f is required to be surjective however, then it will be continuous.

Hint: next time you may get a faster reply if you just start a new topic about it! :smile:
 
micromass said:
No, there are a lot of counterexamples, for example

f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}:x\rightarrow \left\{\begin{array}{c} x~\text{if}~x\leq 0\\ x+1~\text{if}~x&gt;0\\ \end{array}\right.

This is injective and strictly increasing, but not continuous. If f is required to be surjective however, then it will be continuous.

Hint: next time you may get a faster reply if you just start a new topic about it! :smile:


Thanks for your help with an example. I appreciate it.

Thanks for yesterday's reply too.

Regards,
Bhatia
 
  • #10
A function which is injective and continuous need not be monotonic. E.g. f : R-{0} --> R defined by f(x) = 1/x is continuous and injective, but not monotonic.

If however f : A --> B is injective and continuous, A and B are totally ordered topological spaces and A is connected, then f will be monotonic. The key here is that R itself in the standard topology is connected, and so continuous injective functions f : R --> R will be monotonic.
 
  • #11
disregardthat said:
A function which is injective and continuous need not be monotonic. E.g. f : R-{0} --> R defined by f(x) = 1/x is continuous and injective, but not monotonic.

If however f : A --> B is injective and continuous, A and B are totally ordered topological spaces and A is connected, then f will be monotonic. The key here is that R itself in the standard topology is connected, and so continuous injective functions f : R --> R will be monotonic.

Thanks for the insight. I get what you mean now.
 
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