Surjectivity of a Three-Dimensional Function with Non-Negative Real Inputs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the surjectivity of a function defined from positive real numbers and angles to three-dimensional space. Participants explore whether the function can map to all points in \(\mathbb{R}^3\), considering the implications of spherical coordinates and the definitions of the input domain.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the function is not surjective, questioning the mapping to certain points in \(\mathbb{R}^3\), particularly the origin (0,0,0).
  • Others argue that the function is surjective, claiming that every point in space can be represented in spherical coordinates, with specific calculations provided for the mapping.
  • A participant notes that while the function is surjective, it is not one-to-one, suggesting that multiple inputs can map to the same output, particularly at the poles.
  • There is a discussion about the need to redefine the range of the function to ensure a one-to-one mapping, with suggestions for adjustments to the angular parameters.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the notation \(\mathbb{R}^{+}\), with differing interpretations of whether it includes zero or not, which affects the surjectivity claim.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the surjectivity of the function. There are competing views regarding the mapping capabilities of the function, particularly concerning the origin and the interpretation of the input domain.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the ambiguity in the definition of \(\mathbb{R}^{+}\) and its implications for the function's ability to map to (0,0,0). The discussion also highlights the need for careful consideration of the angular parameters to maintain a one-to-one correspondence.

atomqwerty
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Hello,

is this function surjective?

[tex]\Phi : \Re^{+} \diamond \Re \diamond \Re \rightarrow \Re^{3}<br /> (r,\varphi,\theta) \rightarrow (r cos\varphi sin\theta, r sin\varphi sin\theta, r cos\theta)[/tex]

PS Diamond means X (cross)
 
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It is not surjective.
 
dimitri151 said:
It is not surjective.

why?

thanx
 
I mean it is surjective.
 
It is surjective, because for every a = (x, y, z) in R^3 you can find b = (r, theta, phi) mapped to a by your function. Namely,

r = sqrt (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)

theta = arctan (sqrt(x^2 + y^2) / z)

phi = arctan(y / x)

(this is "almost true", in the sense that you have to be careful with the arctan).
 
Petr Mugver said:
It is surjective, because for every a = (x, y, z) in R^3 you can find b = (r, theta, phi) mapped to a by your function. Namely,

r = sqrt (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)

theta = arctan (sqrt(x^2 + y^2) / z)

phi = arctan(y / x)

(this is "almost true", in the sense that you have to be careful with the arctan).

Ok, so that implies x != 0 and z!=0 (!= means not equal to), that implies at the same time

rcosT = 0
rcosPsinT=0

(T=theta, P=Phi)

The first leads us to r=0 or T=(2n+1)Pi/2, with n=1,2,3,...
Second leads moreover to P=(2n+1)Pi/2, with n=1,2,3,... (because SinT == +-1)

so we have to redefine the range of the function from [R+ x R x R] to [R+ x (0,Pi/2) x (0,Pi/2)] OR keep the original range but rstricting to [R+ x R- {(2n+1)Pi/2} x R- {(2n+1)Pi/2}]

Is this correct?

thank
 
aren't these just the spherical coordinate map? hence clearly surjective by the geometry of the situation. i.e. every point in space does have spherical coordinates.
 
mathwonk said:
aren't these just the spherical coordinate map? hence clearly surjective by the geometry of the situation. i.e. every point in space does have spherical coordinates.

Yes, it is, but what I'm saying is that we would need to redefine the range RxRxR to Rx[0,2Pi)x[0,Pi) so the coordinates can be one to one.
 
atomqwerty said:
Yes, it is, but what I'm saying is that we would need to redefine the range RxRxR to Rx[0,2Pi)x[0,Pi) so the coordinates can be one to one.

Well, this was not your initial question. Your map is surjective but not one to one... consider the origin, or the north and south poles for example. In general, you need several "sheets" or "charts" in the language of manifolds.
 
  • #10
Forgive me if I am missing something, but is there anything mapping to (0,0,0)?
 
  • #11
r=0.
 
  • #12
I was under the impression that [tex]\Re^{+}[/tex] denoted the positive reals and not the non-negative reals.
 
  • #13
For some reason I read that as non-negative reals. If you can't have r=0 then you can't get the right side to equal (0,0,0).
 
  • #14
Z+ is the non-negative integers so I read R+ as the non-negative reals so r=0 is allowed.
 

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