Discrete Mathematics

MH1812
Topic 9.1 - Functions I
Dr. Wang Huaxiong

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 1

 Topic Overview

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 2

What’s in store…

I ntroduction to Functions

I njectivity

S urjectivity

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 3

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to…
• Explain the concepts of functions.

• Explain the concepts of injective functions.

• Explain the concepts of surjective functions.

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 4

 Introduction to Functions

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 5

Introduction to Functions: Definition

Let X and Y be sets. A function f from X to Y is

a rule that assigns every element x of X to a
unique y in Y. We write f: X  Y and f(x) = y.

(∀𝑥 ∈ 𝑋 ∃𝑦 ∈ 𝑌, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)) ∧ (∀𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ∈ 𝑋, 𝑓 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑓(𝑥2 ) → 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 )

X= Domain
Y= Codomain
y= Image of x under f
x= Preimage of y under f
Range = Subset of Y with preimages
MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 6
Introduction to Functions: Example 1

(∀𝑥 ∈ 𝑋 ∃𝑦 ∈ 𝑌, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)) ∧ (∀𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ∈ 𝑋, 𝑓 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑓(𝑥2 ) → 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 )

Domain X = {a,b,c}
Codomain Y = {1,2,3,4} Arrow Diagram of f:

f = {(a,2), (b,4), (c,2)} X Y

Preimage of 2 is {a,c}
a• •1
Range = {2,4} •2
b•
•3
c•
•4

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 7

Introduction to Functions: Example 2
Let f be the function from Z to Z that assigns
the square of an integer to this integer.
Then
f: Z  Z, f(x) = x2 Z Z

•4
Domain and codomain of f: Z  •3
2 •2
Range ( f ) = {0, 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ….} 1 •1
0 •0
1 • 1
2 


MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 8

Introduction to Functions: Functions vs. Non-functions

(∀𝑥 ∈ 𝑋 ∃𝑦 ∈ 𝑌, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)) ∧ (∀𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ∈ 𝑋, 𝑓 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑓(𝑥2 ) → 𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 )

X = {a,b,c} to Y = {1,2,3,4}
X f Y X g Y X h Y
1 1 1
a a a
2 2 2
b b b
3 3 3
c c c
4 4 4

No! No! Yes!

(b has no image) (c has two images) (Each element of X has
exactly one image)
MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 9
Introduction to Functions: Image of a Set

Let f be a function from X to Y and S  X. The

image of S is the subset of Y that consists of the
images of the elements of S: f(S) = {f(s)sS}.

f: X  Y

s
S f(s)
f(S)
X Y

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 10

 Injectivity

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 11

Injectivity: One-to-one Function

A function f is one-to-one (or injective), if and only if

f(x) = f(y) implies x = y for all x and y in the domain of f.

In words…
“All elements in the domain
of f have different images”.
Mathematical Description
f: A  B is one-to-one  x1, x2A (f(x1) = f(x2) ⟹ x1 = x2)
or
f: A  B is one-to-one  x1, x2A (x1  x2 ⟹ f(x1)  f(x2))
MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 12
Injectivity: One-to-one Example

A B A B

1 1
a a
2 2
b b
3 3
c c
4 4

One-to-one Not one-to-one

(All elements in A have a (a and b have the same image)
different image)

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 13

Injectivity: One-to-one Example
f: R  R, f(x) = 4x  1 g: R  R, g(x) = x2

f(x) Does each element g(x)


in R have a
different image?   4
x1
x
x2
x
2 2
 Yes! No!
To show x1, x2  R (f(x1) = f(x2)  x1 = x2), Take x1 = 2 and x2 = 2.
take some x1, x2  R with f(x1) = f(x2). Then g(x1) = 22 = 4 = g(x2) and x1  x2.

Then 4x11 = 4x2  1  4x1 = 4x2  x1 = x2.

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 14
 Surjectivity

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 15

Surjectivity: Onto Function

A function f from X to Y is onto (or surjective), if and only if

for every element y∈Y there is an element x∈X with f(x) = y.

In words…
“Each element in the codomain
of f has a preimage”.

Mathematical Description
f: X  Y is onto  y ∈Y x ∈X, f(x) = y

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 16

Surjectivity: Onto Example

X Y X Y

a a
1 1
b b
2 2
c c
3 3
d d

Onto Not onto

(All elements in Y have a (1 has no preimage)
preimage)

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 17

Surjectivity: Onto Example

g: R  R, g(x) = x2

Does each element in R have a preimage?

No! g(x)
• To show yR such that xR g(x)  y
R0
• Take y = 1
• Then any xR holds g(x) = x2  1 = y
x
But g:R  R0, g(x) = (where R0
x2
denotes the set of non-negative real 1
numbers) is onto!

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 18

 Topic Summary

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 19

Let’s recap…
• Functions:
– Domain
– Codomain
– Image
– Preimage
– Range

• Injective functions (one-to-one)

• Surjective functions (onto)

MH1812: Discrete Mathematics 20