Is the Function f(x) = 2x/(x-1) Both Injective and Surjective?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the function f(x) = 2x/(x-1) and its properties of injectivity and surjectivity. Participants are tasked with proving that the function is both injective and surjective, with a focus on understanding the implications of these properties.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to demonstrate injectivity using the injectivity law and seeks guidance on proving surjectivity. Some participants suggest calculating x for a given y to explore surjectivity further. Others discuss the relevance of the discriminant in relation to the quadratic formed from the function.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the approach to proving surjectivity, but there is no explicit consensus on the methods being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential language barriers affecting the clarity of communication, particularly regarding terminology. Additionally, the relevance of the discriminant in the context of the function's surjectivity is questioned.

mtayab1994
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Homework Statement



f:]1,+∞[→]2,+∞[
x→ 2x/(x-1)


Homework Equations


Prove that f is injective and serjective.


The Attempt at a Solution



I already proved that it's injective by stating the injectivity law:
for every (a,b)ε]1,+∞[: f(a)=f(b) implies a=b

so: 2a/(a-1)=2b/(b-1) entails: 2ab-2b=2ab-2a entails -2b=-2a entails a=b

Can anyone please tell me how to prove that its serjective?
 
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Sure. If y is in ]2,+∞[, calculate what x in ]1,+∞[ gives f(x) = y.
 
mtayab1994 said:

Homework Statement



f:]1,+∞[→]2,+∞[
x→ 2x/(x-1)


Homework Equations


Prove that f is injective and serjective.


The Attempt at a Solution



I already proved that it's injective by stating the injectivity law:
for every (a,b)ε]1,+∞[: f(a)=f(b) implies a=b

so: 2a/(a-1)=2b/(b-1) entails: 2ab-2b=2ab-2a entails -2b=-2a entails a=b

Can anyone please tell me how to prove that its serjective?

In your own words, what does it mean to say that f is surjective? (That is sUrjective, not sErjective!) Turn that verbal statement into an equation and then work on the equation, to see what conclusions you can make, or else use some known, general properties to get a conclusion.

RGV
 
i got it
f(x)=y
y=2x/x-1 equivalence y(x-1)=2x equivalence yx-2x-y=0
now we find Δ
Δ=4+4y^2
since Δ≥0 therefore there is some solution to this equation and therefore f is serjective.
 
What does [itex]\Delta = 4 + 4y^2[/itex] have to do with anything here? Anyway, you are still spelling surjective incorrectly.

RGV
 
Ray Vickson said:
What does [itex]\Delta = 4 + 4y^2[/itex] have to do with anything here? Anyway, you are still spelling surjective incorrectly.

RGV

Well my teacher stated that if we find that Δ≥0 then therefore f is surjective and btw my first language is english, but I'm learning overseas in Morocco and all the lessons here are in Arabic, so that's probably the reason why i spelled it wrong.
 
Ray Vickson said:
What does [itex]\Delta = 4 + 4y^2[/itex] have to do with anything here? Anyway, you are still spelling surjective incorrectly.

RGV

i believe he's taking the discriminant of a quadratic.
 
Deveno said:
i believe he's taking the discriminant of a quadratic.

Of course he is; but where is the quadratic equation in this question?

RGV
 

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