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Difference between revisions of "Bijection"

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(rewrite (similar to injective, surjective))
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$ \def\Id {\mathop{\rm Id}} $
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A function (or mapping) is called '''bijective'''  
 
A function (or mapping) is called '''bijective'''  
 
if it is both one-to-one and onto, i.e.,
 
if it is both one-to-one and onto, i.e.,
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: $ f(A) = B $ and $ a_1 \ne a_2 $ implies $ f(a_1) \ne f(a_2) $ for all $ a_1, a_2 \in A $.
 
: $ f(A) = B $ and $ a_1 \ne a_2 $ implies $ f(a_1) \ne f(a_2) $ for all $ a_1, a_2 \in A $.
  
In certain contexts, a bijective mapping of a (countable) set $A$ onto itself is called a [[permutation]] of $A$.
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==== Equivalent condition ====
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A mapping is bijective if and only if
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* it has left-sided and right-sided inverses
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and therefore if and only if
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* there is a unique (two-sided) inverse mapping $ f^{-1} $ such that $ f^{-1} \circ f = \Id_A $ and $ f \circ f^{-1} = \Id_B $.
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==== Application ====
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Bijections are essential for the theory of [[cardinal number]]s:
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<br>
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Two sets have the same number of elements (the same cardinality),
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if there is a bijective mapping between them.
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<br>
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By the [[Schröder-Bernstein theorem]]
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&mdash; and not depending on the [[axiom of choice|Axiom of Choice]] &mdash;
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a bijective mapping between two sets $A$ and $B$ exists
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if there are injective mappings both from $A$ to $B$ and from $B$ to $A$.
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==== Related notions ====
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In certain contexts, a bijective mapping of a (countable) set $A$ onto itself is called a ''[[permutation]]'' of $A$.
  
A bijective [[homomorphism]] is called isomorphism.
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A bijective [[homomorphism]] is called ''isomorphism'',
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and&mdash;if domain and range coincide&mdash;''automorphism''.

Revision as of 15:50, 25 February 2012

$ \def\Id {\mathop{\rm Id}} $

A function (or mapping) is called bijective if it is both one-to-one and onto, i.e., if it is both injective and surjective.

In other words, a function $ f : A \to B $ from a set $A$ to a set $B$ is

a bijective function or a bijection

if and only if

$ f(A) = B $ and $ a_1 \ne a_2 $ implies $ f(a_1) \ne f(a_2) $ for all $ a_1, a_2 \in A $.

Equivalent condition

A mapping is bijective if and only if

  • it has left-sided and right-sided inverses

and therefore if and only if

  • there is a unique (two-sided) inverse mapping $ f^{-1} $ such that $ f^{-1} \circ f = \Id_A $ and $ f \circ f^{-1} = \Id_B $.

Application

Bijections are essential for the theory of cardinal numbers:
Two sets have the same number of elements (the same cardinality), if there is a bijective mapping between them.
By the Schröder-Bernstein theorem — and not depending on the Axiom of Choice — a bijective mapping between two sets $A$ and $B$ exists if there are injective mappings both from $A$ to $B$ and from $B$ to $A$.

Related notions

In certain contexts, a bijective mapping of a (countable) set $A$ onto itself is called a permutation of $A$.

A bijective homomorphism is called isomorphism, and—if domain and range coincide—automorphism.

How to Cite This Entry:
Bijection. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Bijection&oldid=21159
This article was adapted from an original article by O.A. Ivanova (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article