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Date May 2015 Marks available 6 Reference code 15M.3srg.hl.TZ0.4
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Sets, relations and groups Time zone TZ0
Command term Prove that Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Let \(X\) and \(Y\) be sets. The functions \(f:X \to Y\) and \(g:Y \to X\) are such that \(g \circ f\) is the identity function on \(X\).

Prove that: 

(i)     \(f\) is an injection,

(ii)     \(g\) is a surjection.

[6]
a.

Given that \(X = {\mathbb{R}^ + } \cup \{ 0\} \) and \(Y = \mathbb{R}\), choose a suitable pair of functions \(f\) and \(g\) to show that \(g\) is not necessarily a bijection.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

(i)     to test injectivity, suppose \(f({x_1}) = f({x_2})\)     M1

apply \(g\) to both sides \(g\left( {f({x_1})} \right) = g\left( {f({x_2})} \right)\)     M1

\( \Rightarrow {x_1} = {x_2}\)     A1

so \(f\) is injective     AG

 

Note:     Do not accept arguments based on “\(f\) has an inverse”.

 

(ii)     to test surjectivity, suppose \(x \in X\)     M1

define \(y = f(x)\)     M1

then \(g(y) = g\left( {f(x)} \right) = x\)     A1

so \(g\) is surjective     AG

[6 marks]

a.

choose, for example, \(f(x) = \sqrt x \) and \(g(y) = {y^2}\)     A1

then \(g \circ f(x) = {\left( {\sqrt x } \right)^2} = x\)     A1

the function \(g\) is not injective as \(g(x) = g( - x)\)     R1

 

[3 marks]

Total [9 marks]

b.

Examiners report

Those candidates who formulated the questions in terms of the basic definitions of injectivity and surjectivity were usually sucessful. Otherwise, verbal attempts such as '\(f{\text{ is one - to - one }} \Rightarrow f{\text{ is injective}}\)' or '\(g\) is surjective because its range equals its codomain', received no credit. Some candidates made the false assumption that \(f\) and \(g\) were mutual inverses.

a.

Few candidates gave completely satisfactory answers. Some gave functions satisfying the mutual identity but either not defined on the given sets or for which \(g\) was actually a bijection.

b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 8 - Option: Sets, relations and groups » 8.3 » Functions: injections; surjections; bijections.
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