Proving the Bijection Property of Composed Functions

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that the composition of two bijective functions, f and g, is also a bijection. Participants are tasked with expressing the inverse of the composed function in terms of the inverses of the individual functions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions of bijections and the implications for composed functions. There are attempts to clarify the injective and surjective properties of the composition. Questions arise regarding the correct formulation of the problem and the requirements for proving bijectivity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the necessary properties for proving the composition is a bijection and have suggested justifications for assumptions made in the proof. There is acknowledgment of a mistake in the original problem statement, and clarification on the notation used has been discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that they are struggling with abstract proofs compared to working with specific values. There is mention of needing to justify assumptions clearly to demonstrate understanding in the proof process.

teme92
Messages
185
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement



Let f: A→B and g: B→C both be bijections. Prove that the composed function fog is also a bijection. Write (fog)-1 in terms of f-1 and g-1.

Homework Equations



fog = f(g(x))

The Attempt at a Solution



I know what the composed function means and what bijective means (one-to-one). I can do these problems when I have values for f(x) and g(x) but I'm having trouble with this type of problem. I nod in the right direction would be much appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
teme92 said:

Homework Statement



Let f: A→B and g: B→C both be bijections. Prove that the composed function fog is also a bijection. Write (fog)2 in terms of f-1 and g-1.


Homework Equations



fog = f(g(x))

If [itex]f: A \to B[/itex] and [itex]g: B \to C[/itex] then the composition of the two which makes sense is [itex]g \circ f : A \to C : x \mapsto g(f(x))[/itex].

The Attempt at a Solution



I know what the composed function means and what bijective means (one-to-one). I can do these problems when I have values for f(x) and g(x) but I'm having trouble with this type of problem. I nod in the right direction would be much appreciated.

A bijection is both an injection and a surjection. Have you shown that a composition of injections is an injection, and a composition of surjections is a surjection?

Alternatively, you could exhibit an inverse of [itex]g \circ f[/itex] in terms of the inverses of [itex]g[/itex] and [itex]f[/itex].
 
First of all thanks, and I made a mistake in the question which I changed ie. the composed function was a square but now an inverse.

Secondly, the question asked for fog not gof?

Injectivity: If x,y [itex]\in[/itex]A and g(f(x))=g(f(y)) then f(x)=f(y) and x=y

Surjectivity: If c [itex]\in[/itex]C then g(b)=c and f(a)=b

Hence g(f(a))=g(b)=c

Is that sufficient to prove its a bijection?

And how do I write Write (fog)-1 in terms of f-1 and g-1?
 
Yes, the logic and solution is fine. Just justify the parts where you assume a certain property of a function, so that the reader(grader) knows that you understand what your doing at each step. So instead of saying f(x)=f(y),x=y.
Instead say f(x)=f(y) implies x=y because the function f is bijective.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Ok thanks for the help :)
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K