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Date November 2011 Marks available 3 Reference code 11N.3srg.hl.TZ0.5
Level HL only Paper Paper 3 Sets, relations and groups Time zone TZ0
Command term Show that Question number 5 Adapted from N/A

Question

Consider the functions f:ABf:AB and g:BC.

Show that if both f and g are injective, then gf is also injective.

[3]
a.

Show that if both f and g are surjective, then gf is also surjective.

[4]
b.

Show, using a single counter example, that both of the converses to the results in part (a) and part (b) are false.

[3]
c.

Markscheme

let s and t be in A and st     M1

since f is injective f(s)f(t)     A1

since g is injective gf(s)gf(t)     A1

hence gf is injective     AG

[3 marks]

a.

let z be an element of C

we must find x in A such that gf(x)=z     M1

since g is surjective, there is an element y in B such that g(y)=z     A1

since f is surjective, there is an element x in A such that f(x)=y     A1

thus gf(x)=g(y)=z     R1

hence gf is surjective     AG

[4 marks]

b.

converses: if gf is injective then g and f are injective

if gf is surjective then g and f are surjective     (A1)

    A2

Note: There will be many alternative counter-examples.

 

[3 marks]

c.

Examiners report

This question was found difficult by a large number of candidates and no fully correct solutions were seen. A number of students made thought-through attempts to show it was surjective, but found more difficulty in showing it was injective. Very few were able to find a single counter example to show that the converses of the earlier results were false. Candidates struggled with the abstract nature of the question.

a.

This question was found difficult by a large number of candidates and no fully correct solutions were seen. A number of students made thought-through attempts to show it was surjective, but found more difficulty in showing it was injective. Very few were able to find a single counter example to show that the converses of the earlier results were false. Candidates struggled with the abstract nature of the question.

b.

This question was found difficult by a large number of candidates and no fully correct solutions were seen. A number of students made thought-through attempts to show it was surjective, but found more difficulty in showing it was injective. Very few were able to find a single counter example to show that the converses of the earlier results were false. Candidates struggled with the abstract nature of the question.

c.

Syllabus sections

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