How Many Functions Meet the Fixed Point Criterion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around counting the number of functions from the set $\{1,2,3,4,5\}$ to itself that satisfy the condition of having at least one fixed point, i.e., $f(i) = i$ for at least one $i$. Participants explore combinatorial approaches, including derangements and the inclusion-exclusion principle, while clarifying the definitions of "into" and "onto" functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with the opposite case where no $i$ is a fixed point, proposing to count derangements.
  • Another participant calculates the total number of functions as $5^5$ and mentions the derangement count as $!5 = 44$.
  • There is a discussion about whether functions like $f(\{1, 2, 3, 4, 5\}) = \{2, 2, 2, 2, 2\}$ are allowed, with participants confirming that they are.
  • One participant calculates the number of functions with at least one fixed point as $5^5 - 4^5 = 2101$ and questions how to account for "into" functions versus "onto" functions.
  • Another participant mentions the use of inclusion/exclusion to arrive at the count of functions, but expresses confusion about how to eliminate onto functions from the total.
  • There is a clarification on the vocabulary distinction between "into" and "onto" functions, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the definitions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of calculating the total number of functions and the use of derangements, but there is no consensus on the definitions of "into" and "onto" functions, nor on how to properly account for them in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of "into" and "onto" functions, as well as how to appropriately apply these definitions to the problem at hand. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of these terms.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in combinatorial mathematics, particularly those exploring fixed points in functions and the distinctions between types of functions, may find this discussion relevant.

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Problem:
Let $f:\{1,2,3,4,5\}\rightarrow \{1,2,3,4,5\}$, then the number of functions which are into and satisfy $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i=1,2,3,4,5$ are

A)435
B)2121
C)2025
D)None of these

Attempt:
Looking at the opposite case i.e where $f(i)=i$ for at least one of the given i's is not satisfied, I can find the number of derangements but I am not sure if it helps. I need a few hints to begin with. My mind goes blank on these combinatorics problems. (Doh)

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Keyword : Derangement function.

Count the number of permutations (this is just $5!$) and then exclude the derangement.
 
mathbalarka said:
Keyword : Derangement function.

Count the number of permutations (this is just $5!$) and then exclude the derangement.

Hi mathbalarka! :)

I am not sure but number of possible functions are $5^5$ or perhaps I misunderstood what you meant by the number of permutations.

The derangement is $!5=44$.

Thanks!
 
Pranav said:
I am not sure but number of possible functions are $5^5$

Then we are talking of different things. Is $f(\{1, 2, 3, 4, 5\}) = \{2, 2, 2, 2, 2\}$ allowed?
 
mathbalarka said:
Then we are talking of different things. Is $f(\{1, 2, 3, 4, 5\}) = \{2, 2, 2, 2, 2\}$ allowed?

Yes.
 
Pranav said:
Yes.

Then you are obviously correct.
 
mathbalarka said:
Then you are obviously correct.

?

I still have no idea about approaching this problem. :(
 
Neither do I. This new interpretation seems harder than mine.
 
Pranav said:
Problem:
Let $f:\{1,2,3,4,5\}\rightarrow \{1,2,3,4,5\}$, then the number of functions which are into and satisfy $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i=1,2,3,4,5$ are

A)435
B)2121
C)2025
D)None of these

Attempt:
Looking at the opposite case i.e where $f(i)=i$ for at least one of the given i's is not satisfied, I can find the number of derangements but I am not sure if it helps. I need a few hints to begin with. My mind goes blank on these combinatorics problems. (Doh)

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Pranav! :)

Let's indeed look at the opposite case, where $f(i) \ne i$ for each $i$.
Then $1$ can be mapped to 4 possible numbers and so can any of the other numbers.
Therefore the opposite case contains $4^5$ functions.
 
  • #10
I like Serena said:
Hey Pranav! :)

Let's indeed look at the opposite case, where $f(i) \ne i$ for each $i$.
Then $1$ can be mapped to 4 possible numbers and so can any of the other numbers.
Therefore the opposite case contains $4^5$ functions.

Hi ILS! :)

Yes, agreed, so the total number of functions where $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i$ are $5^5-4^5=2101$. This brings me close to option C. Since I need the into functions, I have to subtract the onto ones but how should I do it? :confused:
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Pranav said:
Yes, agreed, so the total number of functions where $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i$ are $5^5-4^5=2101$. This brings me close to option C. Since I need the into functions, I have to subtract the onto ones but how should I do it? :confused:
I think that there is a typo in the question. I thinkm 2101 is correct.
Using inclusion/exclusion I get \sum\limits_{k = 1}^5 {{{\left( { - 1} \right)}^{k + 1}}\binom{5}{k}{{\left( 5 \right)}^{5 - k}}} = 2101. See here
 
  • #12
Sorry for the late reply. :o

Plato said:
I think that there is a typo in the question. I thinkm 2101 is correct.
Using inclusion/exclusion I get \sum\limits_{k = 1}^5 {{{\left( { - 1} \right)}^{k + 1}}\binom{5}{k}{{\left( 5 \right)}^{5 - k}}} = 2101. See here

Hi Plato!

I found the number of functions where $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i$ by $5^5-4^5=2101$ but I don't see how it deals with the into functions. I mean there can be onto functions too in these 2101 functions. How do I eliminate those? :confused: :confused:

Please help, I have got a mindblock here. (Sweating)
 
  • #13
Pranav said:
I found the number of functions where $f(i)=i$ for at least one $i$ by $5^5-4^5=2101$ but I don't see how it deals with the into functions. I mean there can be onto functions too in these 2101 functions. How do I eliminate those?

That is a matter of vocabulary. If f:A\to B it is easy to find text material says the f maps A into B..

On the other hand, to say f is onto means that f(A)=B.

I am not saying that there is no author who uses into in some special way. I am just saying that I am not aware of such.

To see what I mean look at this.
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Plato said:
That is a matter of vocabulary. If f:A\to B it is easy to find text material says the f maps A into B..

On the other hand, to say f is onto means that f(A)=B.

I am not saying that there is no author who uses into in some special way. I am just saying that I am not aware of such.

To see what I mean look at this.

Thank you Plato! I just saw my textbook and yes, there is really no special use of "into".

I remember my teacher saying that into functions are those where range is not equal to co-domain but I am unable find this definition anywhere, I will have to talk about this to my teacher. Thank you once again Plato. :)
 

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