Proving f^-1(Y ∩ Z) = f^-1(Y) ∩ f^-1(Z)

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter cateater2000
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the equality of the preimage of the intersection of two sets under a function, specifically the statement f^-1(Y ∩ Z) = f^-1(Y) ∩ f^-1(Z). The scope includes mathematical reasoning and proofs related to functions and set theory.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests tips for proving the equality of the preimages of the intersection of two sets.
  • Another participant suggests a method for proving set equality by showing mutual inclusion of elements.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the application of function inverses in the proof.
  • One participant clarifies the initial conditions, questioning whether the function is one-to-one and confirming that Y and Z are subsets of X.
  • Another participant notes that the term "and" likely refers to intersection and explains that the preimage operation preserves intersections and unions.
  • A later reply indicates that the original poster has understood the concept and found the proof straightforward.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and clarity regarding the proof, with some confusion about the function's properties and terminology. There is no consensus on the initial assumptions about the function being one-to-one.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the properties of the function f and the definitions of the sets involved, which may affect the proof.

cateater2000
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Hi

let f be a function from set A into X, and Y,Z c X. Prove the following

f^-1(YandZ)=f^-1(Y)andf^-1(Z);

any tips would be great
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When you need to prove that two sets are equal, A = B, as in your problem the simplest trick you can use is to show that any a \in A is also an element of B and viceversa.
 
I'm really confused with how to do it with function inverses, thanks for the help i'll try to figure it out
 
cateater2000 said:
Hi

let f be a function from set A into X, and Y,Z c X. Prove the following

f^-1(YandZ)=f^-1(Y)andf^-1(Z);

any tips would be great
I think you mean that f is a one-to one function from A to X. Is that what you mean by "into"? Also, I think you mean that Y and Z are both subsets of X. Stop me if I'm wrong.

Let x∈f^-1(Y ^ Z). We wish to show that x∈f^-1(Y)&f^-1(Z). Then once we do that, we wish to start by letting x be in f^-1(Y)&f^-1(Z) and show that that implies x∈f^-1(Y ^ Z).

This is what the last poster was writing about.

Now the thing to remember is that x∈f^-1(U) if and only if f(x)∈U.
 
I think he does not mean the function is one to one, but "and" seems to mean intersection. and f^(-1) just means preimage.


then this is a corolalary of the usual tautological fact that pullback or inverse image of sets is a boolean homomorphism, i.e. preserves both intersections and unions.
 
Hey thanks for youe help I got it now. It's actually really easy thankyou very much :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K