Suppose that f is an injection. Show that f-1(f(x)) = x for all x in D

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In summary: The Attempt at a SolutionLet z be in f-1(f(x)). Then f(z) is in f(x) by definition of inverse functions. Since f is injective, z = x for some x in D(f).Thus z is a subset of x, and thereforef-1(f(x)) is a subset of x. Since f(x) = R(f) by definition, we have that f-1(f(x)) = f-1(R(f)). But the range of a function is equivalent to the domain of its inverse, thus f-1(R(f)) = f-
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Scienticious
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Homework Statement



Suppose that f is an injection. Show that f-1(f(x)) = x for all x in D(f).


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Let z be in f-1(f(x)).
Then f(z) is in f(x) by definition of inverse functions.
Since f is injective, z = x for some x in D(f).
Thus z is a subset of x, and therefore
f-1(f(x)) is a subset of x.

Since f(x) = R(f) by definition, we have that f-1(f(x)) = f-1(R(f)).
But the range of a function is equivalent to the domain of its inverse, thus f-1(R(f)) = f-1(D(f-1)).
The range of a function's inverse is the domain of the function.
Thus f-1(D(f-1)) = D(f).
Since x is in D(f), we have that x is in f-1(x(x)).
Therefore x is a subset of f-1(f(x)).

I fairly confident that the logic of my proof works out but there are a few stylistic errors. If you guys could check over this proof I'd appreciate it :3
 
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  • #2
f-1 should be f-1, otherwise it looks like the difference between f and 1.

How did your course define inverse functions?
Then f(z) is in f(x) by definition of inverse functions.
f(x) is a single value, not a set.

Since f is injective, z = x for some x in D(f).
That does not need injective functions. As z is in the image of f-1, it has to be in D(f), independent of f.
Thus z is a subset of x
x is not a set, and if you let z be an element of something, it is not a (relevant) set either.

Since f(x) = R(f) by definition
That does not make sense. f(x) is an element of R(f).

I could continue like that... you are confusing sets and elements of sets in such a way that it is hard to understand what you mean.
 
  • #3
mfb said:
How did your course define inverse functions?

Yes, great question. This will dictate how to proceed as what you are trying to prove may basically be directly derivable from definitions.
 

1. What does it mean for a function to be an injection?

An injection, also known as a one-to-one function, is a type of function where each element in the domain maps to a unique element in the range. In other words, no two elements in the domain can map to the same element in the range.

2. What does f-1 represent in the statement?

f-1, also known as the inverse function, represents the function that "undoes" the original function f. It maps elements from the range of f back to their corresponding elements in the domain of f.

3. How do you prove that f-1(f(x)) = x for all x in D?

To prove this statement, we need to show that for any element x in the domain of f, applying f-1(f(x)) results in x. This can be done by using the definition of an inverse function and the fact that f is an injection. We can also use a proof by contradiction to show that there are no elements in the domain that do not satisfy this equation.

4. What is the significance of this property of injections?

This property, also known as the left inverse property, is a defining characteristic of injections. It ensures that the inverse function exists and is well-defined, meaning that it is unique and has a specific value for each element in the range of f. This property is important in various mathematical concepts, such as set theory, algebra, and calculus.

5. Can this property be extended to functions that are not injections?

No, this property only holds for injections. For functions that are not injections, there may be elements in the domain that do not have a corresponding element in the range, making it impossible for the inverse function to exist and for f-1(f(x)) to equal x for all x in D.

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