IB DP Maths Topic 8.3 Functions: injections; surjections; bijections. HL Paper 3

Question

Below are the graphs of the two functions \(F:P \to Q{\text{ and }}g:A \to B\) .

a.Determine, with reference to features of the graphs, whether the functions are injective and/or surjective.[4]

b.Given two functions \(h:X \to Y{\text{ and }}k:Y \to Z\) . 

Show that

(i)     if both h and k are injective then so is the composite function \(k \circ h\) ;

(ii)     if both h and k are surjective then so is the composite function \(k \circ h\) .[9]

 
▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

f is surjective because every horizontal line through Q meets the graph somewhere     R1

f is not injective because it is a many-to-one function     R1

g is injective because it always has a positive gradient     R1

(accept horizontal line test reasoning)

g is not surjective because a horizontal line through the negative part of B would not meet the graph at all     R1

[4 marks]

a.

(i)     EITHER

Let \({x_1},{\text{ }}{x_2} \in X{\text{ and }}{y_1} = h({x_1}){\text{ and }}{y_2} = h({x_2})\)     M1

Then

\(k \circ \left( {h({x_1})} \right) = k \circ \left( {h({x_2})} \right)\)

\( \Rightarrow k({y_1}) = k({y_2})\)     A1

\( \Rightarrow {y_1} = {y_2}\,\,\,\,\,{\text{(}}k{\text{ is injective)}}\)     A1

\( \Rightarrow h({x_1}) = h({x_2})\,\,\,\,\,\left( {h({x_1}) = {y_1}{\text{ and }}h({x_2}) = {y_2}} \right)\)     A1

\( \Rightarrow {x_1} \equiv {x_2}\,\,\,\,\,(h{\text{ is injective)}}\)     A1

Hence \(k \circ h\) is injective     AG

OR

\({{\text{x}}_1},{\text{ }}{x_2} \in X,{\text{ }}{x_1} \ne {x_2}\)     M1

since h is an injection \( \Rightarrow h({x_1}) \ne h({x_2})\)     A1

\(h({x_1}),{\text{ }}h({x_2}) \in Y\)     A1

since k is an injection \( \Rightarrow k\left( {h({x_1})} \right) \ne k\left( {h({x_2})} \right)\)     A1

\(k\left( {h({x_1})} \right),{\text{ }}k\left( {h({x_2})} \right) \in \mathbb{Z}\)     A1

so \(k \circ h\) is an injection.     AG

 

(ii)     h and k are surjections and let \(z \in \mathbb{Z}\)

Since k is surjective there exists \(y \in Y\) such that k(y) = z     R1

Since h is surjective there exists \(x \in X\) such that h(x) = y     R1

Therefore there exists \(x \in X\) such that

\(k \circ h(x) = k\left( {h(x)} \right)\)

\( = k(y)\)     R1

\( = z\)     A1

So \(k \circ h\) is surjective     AG

[9 marks]

b.

Examiners report

‘Using features of the graph’ should have been a fairly open hint but too many candidates contented themselves with describing what injective and surjective meant rather than explaining which graph had which properties. Candidates found considerable difficulty with presenting a convincing argument in part (b).

a.

‘Using features of the graph’ should have been a fairly open hint but too many candidates contented themselves with describing what injective and surjective meant rather than explaining which graph had which properties. Candidates found considerable difficulty with presenting a convincing argument in part (b).

b.

Question

(a)     Show that \(f:\mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}\) defined by \(f(x,{\text{ }}y) = (2x + y,{\text{ }}x – y)\) is a bijection.

(b)     Find the inverse of f .

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

(a)     we need to show that the function is both injective and surjective to be a bijection     R1

suppose \(f(x,{\text{ }}y) = f(u,{\text{ }}v)\)     M1

\((2x + y,{\text{ }}x – y) = (2u + v,{\text{ }}u – v)\)

forming a pair of simultaneous equations     M1

\(2x + y = 2u + v\)     (i)

\(x – y = u – v\)     (ii)

\((i) + (ii) \Rightarrow 3x = 3u \Rightarrow x = u\)     A1

\((i) – 2(ii) \Rightarrow 3y = 3v \Rightarrow y = v\)     A1

hence function is injective     R1

let \(2x + y = s\) and \(x – y = t\)     M1

\( \Rightarrow 3x = s + t\)

\( \Rightarrow x = \frac{{s + t}}{3}\)     A1

also \(3y = s – 2t\)

\( \Rightarrow y = \frac{{s – 2t}}{3}\)     A1

for any \((s,{\text{ }}t) \in \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}\) there exists \((x,{\text{ }}y) \in \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}\) and the function is surjective     R1

[10 marks]

 

(b)     the inverse is \({f^{ – 1}}(x,{\text{ }}y) = \left( {\frac{{x + y}}{3},{\text{ }}\frac{{x – 2y}}{3}} \right)\)     A1

[1 mark]

Total [11 marks]

Examiners report

Many students were able to show that the expression was injective, but found more difficulty in showing it was subjective. As with question 1 part (e), a number of candidates did not realise that the answer to part (b) came directly from part (a), hence the reason for it being worth only one mark.

Question

The function \(f:[0,{\text{ }}\infty [ \to [0,{\text{ }}\infty [\) is defined by \(f(x) = 2{{\text{e}}^x} + {{\text{e}}^{ – x}} – 3\) .

(a)     Find \(f'(x)\) .

(b)     Show that f is a bijection.

(c)     Find an expression for \({f^{ – 1}}(x)\) .

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

(a)     \(f'(x) = 2{{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}}\)     A1

[1 mark]

 

(b)     f is an injection because \(f'(x) > 0\) for \(x \in [0,{\text{ }}\infty [\)     R2

(accept GDC solution backed up by a correct graph)

since \(f(0) = 0\) and \(f(x) \to \infty \) as \(x \to \infty \) , (and f is continuous) it is a surjection     R1

hence it is a bijection     AG

[3 marks]

 

(c)     let \(y = 2{{\text{e}}^x} + {{\text{e}}^{ – x}} – 3\)     M1

so \(2{{\text{e}}^{2x}} – (y + 3){{\text{e}}^x} + 1 = 0\)     A1

\({{\text{e}}^x} = \frac{{y + 3 \pm \sqrt {{{(y + 3)}^2} – 8} }}{4}\)     A1

\(x = \ln \left( {\frac{{y + 3 \pm \sqrt {{{(y + 3)}^2} – 8} }}{4}} \right)\)     A1

since \(x \geqslant 0\) we must take the positive square root     (R1)

\({f^{ – 1}}(x) = \ln \left( {\frac{{x + 3 + \sqrt {{{(x + 3)}^2} – 8} }}{4}} \right)\)     A1

[6 marks]

Total [10 marks]

Examiners report

In many cases the attempts at showing that f is a bijection were unconvincing. The candidates were guided towards showing that f is an injection by noting that \(f'(x) > 0\) for all x, but some candidates attempted to show that \(f(x) = f(y) \Rightarrow x = y\) which is much more difficult. Solutions to (c) were often disappointing, with the algebra defeating many candidates.

Question

The function \(f:\mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}\) is defined by

\[f(x) = 2{{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}}.\]

(a)     Show that f is a bijection.

(b)     Find an expression for \({f^{ – 1}}(x)\).

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

(a)     EITHER

consider

\(f'(x) = 2{{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}} > 0\) for all x     M1A1

so f is an injection     A1

OR

let \(2{{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}} = 2{{\text{e}}^y} – {{\text{e}}^{ – y}}\)     M1

\(2({{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^y}) + {{\text{e}}^{ – y}} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}} = 0\)

\(2({{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^y}) + {{\text{e}}^{ – (x + y)}}({{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^y}) = 0\)

\(\left( {2 + {{\text{e}}^{ – (x + y)}}} \right)({{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^y}) = 0\)

\({{\text{e}}^x} = {{\text{e}}^y}\)

\(x = y\)     A1

Note: Sufficient working must be shown to gain the above A1.

 

so f is an injection     A1

Note: Accept a graphical justification i.e. horizontal line test.

 

THEN

it is also a surjection (accept any justification including graphical)     R1

therefore it is a bijection     AG

[4 marks]

 

(b)     let \(y = 2{{\text{e}}^x} – {{\text{e}}^{ – x}}\)     M1

\(2{{\text{e}}^{2x}} – y{{\text{e}}^x} – 1 = 0\)     A1

\({{\text{e}}^x} = \frac{{y \pm \sqrt {{y^2} + 8} }}{4}\)     M1A1

since \({{\text{e}}^x}\) is never negative, we take the + sign     R1

\({f^{ – 1}}(x) = \ln \left( {\frac{{x + \sqrt {{x^2} + 8} }}{4}} \right)\)     A1

[6 marks]

Total [10 marks]

Examiners report

Solutions to (a) were often disappointing. Many candidates tried to use the result that, for an injection, \(f(a) = f(b) \Rightarrow a = b\) – although this is the definition, it is often much easier to proceed by showing that the derivative is everywhere positive or everywhere negative or even to use a horizontal line test. Although (b) is based on core material, solutions were often disappointing with some very poor use of algebra seen.

Question

The function \(f:{\mathbb{R}^ + } \times {\mathbb{R}^ + } \to {\mathbb{R}^ + } \times {\mathbb{R}^ + }\) is defined by \(f(x,{\text{ }}y) = \left( {x{y^2},\frac{x}{y}} \right)\).

Show that f is a bijection.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

for f to be a bijection it must be both an injection and a surjection     R1

Note: Award this R1 for stating this anywhere.

 

injection:

let \(f(a{\text{, }}b) = f(c,{\text{ }}d)\) so that     (M1)

\(a{b^2} = c{d^2}\) and \(\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}\)     A1

dividing the equations,

\({b^3} = {d^3}\) so \(b = d\)     A1

substituting,

a = c     A1

it follows that f is an injection because \(f(a{\text{, }}b) = f(c,{\text{ }}d) \Rightarrow (a{\text{, }}b) = (c,{\text{ }}d)\)     R1

surjection:

let \(f(a{\text{, }}b) = (c,{\text{ }}d)\) where \((c,{\text{ }}d) \in {\mathbb{R}^ + } \times {\mathbb{R}^ + }\)     (M1)

then \(c = a{b^2}\) and \(d = \frac{a}{b}\)     A1

dividing,

\({b^3} = \frac{c}{d}\) so \(b = \sqrt[3]{{\frac{c}{d}}}\)     A1

substituting,

\(a = d \times \sqrt[3]{{\frac{c}{d}}}\)     A1

it follows that f is a surjection because

given \((c,{\text{ }}d) \in {\mathbb{R}^ + } \times {\mathbb{R}^ + }\) , there exists \((a,{\text{ }}b) \in {\mathbb{R}^ + } \times {\mathbb{R}^ + }\) such that \(f(a{\text{, }}b) = (c,{\text{ }}d)\)     R1

therefore f is a bijection     AG

[11 marks]

Examiners report

Candidates who knew that they were required to give a rigorous demonstration that f was injective and surjective were generally successful, although the formality that is needed in this style of demonstration was often lacking. Some candidates, however, tried unsuccessfully to give a verbal explanation or even a 2-D version of the horizontal line test. In 2-D, the only reliable method for showing that a function f is injective is to show that \(f(a{\text{, }}b) = f(c,{\text{ }}d) \Rightarrow (a{\text{, }}b) = (c,{\text{ }}d)\).

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