Does the Definition of an Inverse Depend on Injectivity and Surjectivity?

  • Thread starter Bipolarity
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Inverse
In summary, the statements (f \circ g)(x) = x and (g \circ f)(x) = x are both necessary for the inverse to be defined. It is possible for one of the statements to be true but not the other, as seen in the example of an injective function g that does not have a corresponding surjective function f. In order for the inverse to be defined, knowledge of both statements is necessary.
  • #1
Bipolarity
776
2
Consider a function [itex]f(x)[/itex] and its inverse [itex]g(x)[/itex].

Then [itex](f \circ g)(x) = x [/itex] and [itex](g \circ f)(x) = x[/itex]

Are both these statements separate requirements in order for the inverse to be defined? Is it possible that one of the above statements is true but not the other? If so, could I see an example of such a case?

Otherwise, could you prove one having knowledge of the other?

Thanks!

BiP
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
do you know what injective and surjective functions are? every injective g has an f with the first property, but only surjective g's have an f with the second property.

e.g. if g is multiplication by 2, as a map from the integers to themselves, then there is an f with property 1. namely f sends every even integer to half itself, and sends every odd integer to zero.
 

1. What is the difference between a left inverse and a right inverse?

A left inverse is an element that when multiplied on the left of another element, results in the identity element. A right inverse is an element that when multiplied on the right of another element, results in the identity element. The main difference is the position of the inverse element in the multiplication process.

2. Can an element have both a left inverse and a right inverse?

Yes, an element can have both a left inverse and a right inverse. This is known as a two-sided inverse and it only exists for certain types of elements, such as square matrices and invertible functions.

3. How do you find a left inverse and a right inverse for a given element?

To find a left inverse, you need to solve the equation Ax = I, where A is the given element and I is the identity element. To find a right inverse, you need to solve the equation xA = I.

4. Is the left inverse unique?

No, the left inverse is not always unique. For certain types of elements, there can be multiple left inverses. However, the right inverse is always unique for invertible elements.

5. What are the practical applications of left inverses and right inverses?

Left inverses and right inverses are used in linear algebra to solve systems of equations and in function composition to find the inverse of a function. They also have applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science.

Similar threads

  • Calculus
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Calculus
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
1
Views
656
Replies
1
Views
928
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
1K
Back
Top