IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

Injection and Surjection

Injection
Informal definition: A function is injective if the graph of the function passes the
horizontal line test. (Note: a graph is not a function if it does not pass the vertical
line test.)
Examples:
30

20

10

-10

-5

10

-10

This function is injective, since for everywhere in the graph, if you insert a
horizontal line, you will only hit the graph once.
1

0.5

-6

-4

-2

-0.5

-1

This function (actually a sine function) is not injective, because if a horizontal line is
inserted in the graph, it will cut the sine function at multiple points (inside the graph
there are four points, but there are more intersections beyond the graph).
Proof technique:
To show that a function f is injective, need to show that if f(a)=f(b), then a must be
equal to b.
To show that a function f is not injective, need to find one counterexample that
f(a)=f(b) even if a is not the same as b, or to produce a graph that fails the
horizontal line test.
Proof technique demonstration:
FM 01 May P2 2c
1

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

To show f is an injection we need to show that if f(a) = f(b), then a=b.

Since we are only given g(f(x)) = x, one possible way to start the problem is perhaps
to write out g(f(a))=a, and g(f(b))=b -(*)
Given that f(a) = f(b), we need to show a = b. However, this is already worked out in
the (*) equations, since if f(a)=f(b),
then g(f(a))=g(f(b)),
and since g(f(a))=a, and g(f(b))=b,
a=b
Surjection
Informal definition: A function is surjective if all elements in the range are covered
by the function.
Example:
Take a cosine function for example.
1

0.5

-6

-4

-2

-0.5

-1

It is clear that a cosine function has minimum value of -1, and maximum value of 1.
So if the range is R, then the function is not surjective. For example, it is not
possible to find a value k such that cos(k)=4. However, if the range is [-1,1], then the
function is surjective.
Take an exponential function for example.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-2

-1

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

It is clear that an exponential function must be positive. So, if the range is R, then
the function is not surjective. For example, it is not possible to find a value x such
that e^x = -1. However, if the range is R+, then the function is surjective.
Proof techniques:
To show a function is surjective, you need to show (intuitively, or graphically) that it
is possible to get any value in the range set from the domain through the function.
To show that a function is not surjective, you need to show that it is not possible to
reach a particular value in the range set from the domain through the function.
Proof technique demonstration:
05 May T1 7iii a

For current purposes, we here just show how to prove surjection.

We ask the question, is it possible to get all elements in the range set from the
domain through the function? Since there are only 4 elements in this question, it
doesnt harm to list all the outcomes (and you should do this whenever there are less
than 10 elements in a set!)
f(1) = 2*1(modulo 5) = 2 (modulo 5) = 2
f(2) = 2*2(modulo 5) = 4 (modulo 5) = 4
f(3) = 2*3(modulo 5) = 6 (modulo 5) = 1
f(4) = 2*4(modulo 5) = 8 (modulo 5) = 3
Since you get 1 from f(3), 2 from f(1), 3 from f(4), and 4 from f(2), all elements in
the range set are covered. Therefore the function is surjective.
Bijection
Bijection means injection and surjection. To prove bijection, you need to prove both
injection and surjection.
Past exam questions
00 May 7ib

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

03 Nov 7iv

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

05 May T1 7iii a

06 May 1

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

06 Nov 4

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection

07 May T2 1

IB HL Math Year 13 Optional topic: Injection and Surjection