Example of h: R->R^2 such that h is onto

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an example of a function h: R → R² that is onto. Participants explore different approaches and examples, including considerations of continuity and cardinality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests an example of an onto function h: R → R² and suggests a relationship between two functions f and g.
  • Another participant notes that finding such examples is trivial if one considers cardinality, but questions whether a continuous surjection is desired, suggesting the Peano space-filling curve as a potential example.
  • A participant proposes a specific function h(t) = (3t, t) but acknowledges that it is not onto, expressing confusion about the solution.
  • Another participant suggests that the functions being considered are too simple and proposes a more complex approach involving decimal notation of real numbers, emphasizing the need for h to map to every pair (x,y) in R².

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the function h and whether it needs to be continuous. There is no consensus on a specific example or approach to finding an onto function.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the problem, noting that functions typically do not behave as simple mappings and that the requirement for h to be onto imposes significant constraints.

kkitkat
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example of h: R-->R^2 such that h is onto

Hello everyone,

can anyone suggest an example of a function h: R --> R^2 such that h is onto. All I could come up with is the following:

h: R --> R^2 ==>

f(x) = y1
g(x) = y2

==> for h to be onto I need to find a function that gives me the following:

f^(-1)(y1) = g^(-1)(y2),

where f^(-1) is the inverse of f and g^(-1) is the inverse of g,

but I can't think of any. Can anyone please give me a hint in the right direction.

Thanks a lot
 
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What relation do f and/or g have to do with h?

It is trivial to find examples like this, as long as you 'do it by force'. The two sets clearly have the same cardinality, so they are in bijection.

Or do you actually want a continuous surjection? Try the Peano space filling curve.
 
matt grime said:
What relation do f and/or g have to do with h?

It is trivial to find examples like this, as long as you 'do it by force'. The two sets clearly have the same cardinality, so they are in bijection.

Or do you actually want a continuous surjection? Try the Peano space filling curve.

Well, as far as I understand R-->R^2 functions it goes like this: h(t)=(3t, t) so in this example f(t) is 3t and g(t) is t. But obviously h(t) is not onto. And I'm sure that the solution is trivial, but for some reason I just can't see it. I'm not a mathematician so most of the things you've mentioned are away over my head :( If anyone could dumb it down for me a bit, I would really appreciate it
 
You're thinking of far too nice functions. Functions typically don't look like t-->3t.

How about this one: take a real number, write it in decimal notation, then do something with the digits?

You are never going to get a function by thinking about t-->(f(t),g(t)). For a start, fix an x and consider {t: f(t)=x}. That will have to be an uncountable set: h has to map to every pair (x,y), and there are uncountably many y to hit for each x.
 

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