# What is a Direct image and Inverse Image in Real Analysis?

1. Aug 28, 2010

### phillyolly

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

I am trying to understand the definition of Direct and Inverse Images in Real Analysis I from my book, see attachment please.

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2. Aug 28, 2010

### phillyolly

Please explain how the set of the inverse image of G was found.

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3. Aug 28, 2010

We're looking for all elements in the domain of f that can be mapped into elements of G, i.e., find all x such that f(x) is an element of G. For what values of x in the domain is 0 <= f(x) <= 4?

4. Aug 28, 2010

### phillyolly

Right, but how did they find 0 and 4 so that

0 <= f(x) <= 4

?

5. Aug 28, 2010

We're given E = {0 <= x <= 2}. The image of E is G = {0 <= f(x) <= 4}. Now we are finding the inverse image of G by the steps I described above. The purpose of this exercise is to just give you an example of where $$f(f^{-1}(A)) = A$$ and an example where $$f^{-1}(f(A)) \neq A.$$

6. Aug 28, 2010

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
The given function was $f(x)= x^2$ and $E= \{0\le x\le 2\}$.

They got $0\le f(x)\le 4$ by squaring 0 and 2.

But be careful, if it had been $E= \{-2\le x\le 2\}$ We would NOT have the image $\{4\le f(x)\le 4}$. $-2\le x\le 2$ includes all numbers from -2 to 2 and the squares of those are all between 0 and 2, also the squares of the negatives are also positive, not negative: If $E= \{-2\le x\le 2\}$ we would still have the image as $\{0\le f(x)\le 4\}$

Last edited: Aug 29, 2010
7. Aug 29, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

Correction: all numbers between -2 and 2 (inclusive).

8. Aug 29, 2010

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Thanks for the correction, Mark44. I will now edit so I can claim I never made that mistake!