Injectivity of Function Composition: A Closer Look at Left and Right Inverses

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the injectivity of function composition, specifically addressing two statements regarding left and right inverses. For statement (a), it is concluded that if a function f:X→Y has at least one left inverse g:Y→X but no right inverse, then f must have more than one left inverse. In statement (b), the initial assumption of a counterexample is retracted, leading to the belief that if the composition fog is injective, then both f and g must be injective as well.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of function composition and injectivity
  • Knowledge of left and right inverses in functions
  • Familiarity with mathematical proofs and counterexamples
  • Basic set theory concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of injective functions and their implications in function composition
  • Explore the concept of left and right inverses in greater detail
  • Investigate examples of function compositions that illustrate injectivity
  • Review mathematical proof techniques to strengthen understanding of function properties
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Mathematics students, educators, and anyone interested in advanced function theory and injectivity in mathematical contexts.

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Homework Statement


a) Prove or disprove: If f:X---->Yhas at least one left inverse g:Y---->X but has no right inverse, then f has more than one such left inverse.

b) Prove or disprove: If f and g are maps from a set X to X and fog is injective, then f an g are both injective. (fog being function composition).

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


a) I think it is true.

Assume f only has one such inverse, i.e. g is unique.
If f has no right inverse, there exists no map h such that f(h(a))=a for all a in X.
g(f(a))=a for all a in X.

b) False, found a counterexample. the inner function need not be injective. Still stuck on a though.
 
Last edited:
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No one? :(
 
I hate bumping threads but I'm getting desperate. I found that my counterexample for b does not work because I forgot that f and g need to map X into itself, and now I actually think b may be true.
 
Last edited:

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