Understanding One-to-One Mapping

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the concept of one-to-one mapping in mathematics, particularly in relation to functions and the Jacobian determinant. Participants explore definitions, implications, and the relationship between one-to-one mappings and the Jacobian, with a focus on understanding these concepts in the context of mathematics and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion regarding the definition of one-to-one mapping, particularly the implication that only functions equal to their derivatives can be one-to-one, suggesting this might limit one-to-one functions to linear mappings.
  • There is a discussion about the Jacobian determinant and its role in determining whether a function has an inverse and is one-to-one, with some participants seeking clarification on why the Jacobian must not equal zero.
  • One participant clarifies that a one-to-one mapping means that each point in the range corresponds to a unique point in the domain, emphasizing that if two points map to the same output, they must be the same point.
  • Another participant reiterates that the book's definition implies that if T(u,v) = T(u',v'), then u must equal u' and v must equal v' for the mapping to be one-to-one.
  • There is a request for better definitions of one-to-one mapping, indicating ongoing confusion among participants.
  • One participant explains that the Jacobian represents a linear map that approximates the function locally and that a linear map is one-to-one if and only if its determinant is non-zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic definition of one-to-one mapping but express differing levels of understanding regarding its implications and the role of the Jacobian determinant. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the deeper implications of the Jacobian and its relationship to one-to-one mappings.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of the Jacobian determinant and its significance, as well as the definitions provided in their textbooks, which may not fully clarify these concepts.

CYRANEX
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Hi

My book defines one-to-one mapping as

A mapping T is one-to-one on D* if for (u,v) and (u',v') ∈ D*,
T(u,v) = T(u', v') implies that u = u' and v = v'


I don't really understand what they are trying to say, because right now what I'm getting from this information is that only functions that are equal to their derivative can be mapped one-to-one, but doesn't that mean only lines can be one to one functions?

Another thing
I know the Jacobian ≠ 0 has something to do with a function having an inverse and being mapped one-to-one, but my book just skips over that, so could someone please explain that. Also Jacobian Determinant is the determinant of the derivative matrix what does that have anything to do with inverse functions, and more so what does a determinant even mean.

Help, I really want to learn mathematics and physics, but I always get bogged in technicalities and poorly written textbooks :(
 
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CYRANEX said:
Hi

My book defines one-to-one mapping as

A mapping T is one-to-one on D* if for (u,v) and (u',v') ∈ D*,
T(u,v) = T(u', v') implies that u = u' and v = v'


I don't really understand what they are trying to say, because right now what I'm getting from this information is that only functions that are equal to their derivative can be mapped one-to-one, but doesn't that mean only lines can be one to one functions?

Another thing
I know the Jacobian ≠ 0 has something to do with a function having an inverse and being mapped one-to-one, but my book just skips over that, so could someone please explain that. Also Jacobian Determinant is the determinant of the derivative matrix what does that have anything to do with inverse functions, and more so what does a determinant even mean.

Help, I really want to learn mathematics and physics, but I always get bogged in technicalities and poorly written textbooks :(

that isn't the notation for differentiation, just stating that v' is not v.

a one-to-one mapping has a unique mapping for each unique x
 
that statement just means that any point T has only one point on the domain which maps to it- ie. if it has two points T(x) and T(y) that are the same then x = y, so it's really just the same point.
 
Thanks guys you helped a bit, but I'm still confused
are there better definitions for one-to-one mapping?

@emyt
Ok, that makes sense that v' isn't the derivative of v, but I still have no idea why v = v' and u = u'

@Mikey W
I am not really sure what you are trying to say, but from what I gather your saying is that if x = y, then T(x) = T(y). And if T(x) = e and T(y) = f then e = f. That doesn't explain how a function would be one to one if it satisfied the book definition:

A mapping T is one-to-one on D* if for (u,v) and (u',v') ∈ D*,
T(u,v) = T(u', v') implies that u = u' and v = v'
 
CYRANEX said:
Thanks guys you helped a bit, but I'm still confused
are there better definitions for one-to-one mapping?

@emyt
Ok, that makes sense that v' isn't the derivative of v, but I still have no idea why v = v' and u = u'

@Mikey W
I am not really sure what you are trying to say, but from what I gather your saying is that if x = y, then T(x) = T(y). And if T(x) = e and T(y) = f then e = f. That doesn't explain how a function would be one to one if it satisfied the book definition:
a one to one mapping has a unique "output" for each "input", so if the mapping T is one to one, and T(u,v) = T(u',v'), then u =u' and v = v' - or else it wouldn't have been a one-to-one map.
 
Last edited:
Ok I get it now :)
Thanks so much
The book is simply stating that
if T(u,v) = T(u',v')
then u must equal u'
and v must equal v'
or else it is not a one to one map

But that's what you guys have been saying...

I still don't understand why the Jacobian determinant cannot equal zero though
Jacobian determinant is this
[tex]\frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{u}} \frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{v}} - \frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{v}} \frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{u}}[/tex]

I know that if it doesn't equal zero that means that
[tex]\frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{u}} \frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{v}} \neq \frac{\partial{x}}{\partial{v}} \frac{\partial{y}}{\partial{u}}[/tex]

but what does the product of partials mean?
 
The Jacobian is the determinant of the matrix representing the "linear map" that approximates the function locally (think of it as the tangent plane to the surface). A linear map, from a vector space to itself, is one-to-one if and only if it is invertible and that is true if and only if its determinant is non-zero.
 

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