1.2. Relations and Functions

Examples 1.2.7(b):

Which of the following functions are one-one, onto, or bijections ? The domain for all functions is R.
  1. f(x) = 2x + 5
  2. g(x) = arctan(x)
  3. g(x) = sin(x)
  4. h(x) = 2x3 + 5x2 - 7x + 6

1. Linear Function

This function is linear. The equation y = 2x + 5 has a unique solution for every x, so that the function is one-one and onto, i.e. a bijection. In fact, all linear functions are bijections.

2. Inverse Functions

This function is the inverse function of the tangent function. As such, it must be one-to-one. It is onto if the range is [- / 2, / 2], but not if the range is R. In fact, all inverse functions are one-to-one.

3. Periodic Function

Since this function is periodic, it can not be one-to-one. It is onto, if the range is the interval [-1, 1], but not onto if the range is R. In fact, every periodic function is not one-to-one.

4. Odd Degree Polynomial

This is an odd-degree polynomial. Hence, the limit as x approaches plus or minus infinity must be plus or minus infinity, respectively. That means that the function is onto. Since most third degree equations have three zero, this function is probably not one-to-one. A look at the graph confirms this. In fact, every odd-degree polynomial is onto while no even degree polynomial is onto.
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