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6.6: Functions Acting on Sets

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Preview Activity 1 (Functions and Sets)
Let S={a,b,c,d} and T={s,t,u}. Define f:ST by

f(a)=s f(b)=t f(c)=t f(d)=s

  1. Let A={a,c} and B={a,d}. Notice that A and B are subsets of S. Use the roster method to specify the elements of the following two subsets of T:

    (a) {f(x) | xA}
    (b) {f(x) | xB}
  2. Let C={s,t} and D={s,u}. Notice that C and D are subsets of T. Use the roster method to specify the elements of the following two subsets of S:

    (a) {xS | f(x)C}
    (b) {xS | f(x)D}

    Now let g:RR be defined by g(x)=x2, for each xR.
  3. Let A={1,2,3,1}. Use the roster method to specify the elements of the set {g(x) | xA}.
  4. Use the roster method to specify the elements of each of the following sets:

    (a) {xR | g(x)=1}
    (b) {xR | g(x)=9}
    (c) {xR | g(x)=15}
    (d) {xR | g(x)=1}
  5. Let B={1,9,15,1}. Use the roster method to specify the elements of the set
    \{\x \in \mathbb{R}\ |\ g(x) \in B\}\).

Preview Activity 2 (Functions and Intervals)
Let g:RR be defined by g(x)=x2, for each xR.

  1. We will first determine where g maps the closed interval [1, 2]. (Recall that [1,2]={xR | 1x2}.) That is, we will describe, in simpler terms, the set {g(x) | x[1,2]}. This is the set of all images of the real numbers in the closed interval [1, 2].

    (a) Draw a graph of the function g using 3x3.
    (b) On the graph, draw the vertical lines x=1 and x=2 from the x-axis to the graph. Label the points P(1,f(1)) and Q(2,f(2)) on the graph.
    (c) Now draw horizontal lines from the points P and Q to the y-axis. Use this information from the graph to describe the set {g(x) | x[1,2]} in simpler terms. Use interval notation or set builder notation.
  2. We will now determine all real numbers that g maps into the closed interval [1, 4]. That is, we will describe the set {xR | g(x)[1,4]} in simpler terms. This is the set of all preimages of the real numbers in the closed interval [1, 4].
    (a) Draw a graph of the function g using 3x3.
    (b) On the graph, draw the horizontal lines y=1 and y=4 from they-axis to the graph. Label all points where these two lines intersect the graph.
    (c) Now draw vertical lines from the points in Part (2) to the x-axis, and then use the resulting information to describe the set {xR | g(x)[1,4]} in simpler terms. (You will need to describe this set as a union of two intervals. Use interval notation or set builder notation.)

Functions Acting on Sets

In our study of functions, we have focused on how a function “maps” individual elements of its domain to the codomain. We also studied the preimage of an individual element in its codomain. For example, if f:RR is defined by f(x)=x2, for each xR, then

  • f(2)=4. We say that f maps 2 to 4 or that 4 is the image of 2 under the function f.
  • Since f(2)=4 implies that x=2 or x=2, we say that the preimages of 4 are 2 and -2 or that the set of preimages of 4 is {-2, 2}.

For a function f:ST, the next step is to consider subsets of S or T and what corresponds to them in the other set. We did this in the Preview Activities. We will give some definitions and then revisit the examples in the Preview Activities in light of these definitions. We will first consider the situation where A is a subset of S and consider the set of outputs whose inputs are from A. This will be a subset of T.

Definition

Let f:ST. If AS, then the image of A under f is the set f(A), where

f(A)={f(x) | xA}.

If there is no confusion as to which function is being used, we call f(A) the image of A.

We now consider the situation in which C is a subset of T and consider the subset of A consisting of all elements of T whose outputs are in C.

Definition

Let f:ST. If CT, then the preimage of C under f is the set f1(C), where

f1(C)={xS | f(x)C}.

If there is no confusion as to which function is being used, we call f1(C) the preimage of C. The preimage of the set C under f is also called the inverse image of C under f.

Notice that the set f1(C) is defined whether or not f1 is a function.

Progress Check 6.30 (Preview Activity 6.6.1 Revisited)

Let S={a,b,c,d} and T={s,t,u}. Define f:ST by

f(a)=s f(b)=t f(c)=t f(d)=s.

Let A={a,c}, B={a,d}, C={s,t}, and D={s,u}.

Use your work in Preview Activity 6.6.1 to determine each of the following sets:

  1. f(A)
  2. f(B)
  3. f1(C)
  4. f1(D)
Answer

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Example 6.31 (Images and Preimages of Sets)

Let g:RR be defined by g(x)=x2, for each xR. The following results are based on the examples in Preview Activity 6.6.1 and Preview Activity 6.6.2.

  • Let A={1,2,3,1}. Then f(A)={1,4,9}.
  • Let B={1,9,15,1}. Then f1(B)={15,3,1,1,3,15}.

The graphs from Preview Activity 6.6.2 illustrate the following results:

  • If T is the closed interval [1, 2], then the image of the set T is
    f(T)={f(x) | x[1,2]}=[1,4].
  • If C is the closed interval [1, 4], then the preimage of the set C is
    f1(C)={xR | f(x)[1,4]}=[2,1][1,2].

Set Operations and Functions Acting on Sets

We will now consider the following situation: Let S and T be sets and let f be a function from S to T. Also, let A and B be subsets of S and let C and D be subsets of T. In the remainder of this section, we will consider the following situations and answer the questions posed in each case.

  • The set AB is a subset of S and so f(AB is a subset of T. In addition, f(A) and f(B) are subsets of T. Hence, f(A)f(B) is a subset of T.

    Is there any relationship between f(AB and f(A)f(B)?
  • The set AB is a subset of S and so f(AB is a subset of T. In addition, f(A) and f(B) are subsets of T. Hence, f(A)f(B) is a subset of T.

    Is there any relationship between f(AB and f(A)f(B)?
  • The set CD is a subset of T and so f1(CD) is a subset of S. In addition, f1(C) and f1(D) are subsets of S. Hence, f1(C)f1(D) is a subset of S.

    Is there any relationship between the sets f1(CD) and f1(C)f1(D)?
  • The set CD is a subset of T and so f1(CD) is a subset of S. In addition, f1(C) and f1(D) are subsets of S. Hence, f1(C)f1(D) is a subset of S.

    Is there any relationship between the sets f1(CD) and f1(C)f1(D)?

These and other questions will be explored in the next progress check.

Progress check 6.32 (set operations and functions acting on sets)

In Section 6.2, we introduced functions involving congruences. For example, if we let

Z8={0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7}.

then we can define f:Z8Z8 by f(x)=r, where (x2+2)r (mod 8) and rZ8. Moreover, we shortened this notation to

f(x)=(x2+2) (mod 8)

We will use the following subsets of Z8:

A={1,2,4} B={3,4,6} C={1,2,3} D={3,4,5}

  1. Verify that f(0)=2, f(1)=3, f(2)=6, and f(3)=3. Then determine f(4), f(5), f(6) and f(7).
  2. Determine f(A), F=f(A=B), f1(C), and f1(D).
  3. For each of the following, determine the two subsets of Z8 and then determine if there is a relationship between the two sets. For example, AB={4} and since f(4)=2, we see that f(AB)={2}.

    (a) f(AB) and f(A)f(B)
    (b) f(AB) and f(A)f(B)
    (c) f1(CD) and f1(C)f1(D)
    (d) f1(CD) and f1(C)f1(D)
  4. Notice that f(A) is a subset of the codomain, Z8. Consequently, f1(f(A)) is a subset of the domain, Z8. Is there any relation between A and f1f(A)) in this case?
  5. Notice that f1(C) is a subset of the codomain, Z8. Consequently, f(f1(f(C)) is a subset of the domain, Z8. Is there any relation between C and f(f1f(C)) in this case?
Answer

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Example 6.33 (Set Operations and Functions Acting on Sets)

Define f:RR by f(x)=x2+2 for all xR. It will be helpful to use the graph shown in Figure 6.11.

屏幕快照 2019-04-03 下午3.56.58.png

We will use the following closed intervals:

A=[0,3] B=[2,1] C=[2,6] D=[0,3].

  1. Verify that f(A)=[2,11], f(B)=[2,6], f1(C)=[2,2], and that f1(D)=[1,1].
  2. (a) Explain why f(AB)=[2,3] and f(A)f(B)=[2,6]. So in this case, f(AB)f(A)f(B).
    (b) Explain why f(AB)=[2,11] and f(A)f(B)=[2,11]. So in this case, f(AB)f(A)f(B).
    (c) Explain why f1(CD)=[1,1] and f1(C)f1(D)=[1,1]. So in this case, f1(CD)f1(C)f1(D).
    (d) Explain why f1(CD)=[2,2] and f1(C)f1(D)=[2,2]. So in this case, f1(CD)f1(C)f1(D).
  3. Reacll that A=[0,3]. Notice f(A)=[2,11] is a subset of the codomain, R. Explain why f1(f(A))=[3,3]. Since f1f(A)) is a subset of the domain, R, we see that in this case, Af1(f(A)).
  4. Reacll that C=[2,6]. Notice f1(C)=[2,2] is a subset of the codomain, R. Explain why f(f1f(C))=[2,6]. Since f1f(C)) is a subset of the domain, R, we see that in this case, f(f1(C))=C.

The examples in Progress Check 6.32 and Example 6.33 were meant to illustrate general results about how functions act on sets. In particular, we investigated how the action of a function on sets interacts with the set operations of intersection and union. We will now state the theorems that these examples were meant to illustrate. Some of the proofs will be left as exercises.

Theorem 6.34.

Let f:ST be a function and let A and B be subsets of S. Then

  1. f(AB \subseteq f(A) \cap f(B)\)
  2. f(AB = f(A) \cup f(B)\)
Proof

We will prove Part (1). The proof of Part (2) is Exercise (5).

Assume that f:ST is a function and let A and B be subsets of S. We will prove that f(AB \subseteq f(A) \cap f(B)\) by proving that for all yT, if yf(AB), then yf(A)f(B).

We assume that yf(AB). This means that there exists an xAB such that f(x)=y. Since xAB, we conclude that xA and xB.

  • Since xA and f(x)=y, we conclude that yf(A).
  • Since xB and f(x)=y, we conclude that yf(B).

Since xf(A) and yf(B), yf(A)f(B). This proves that if yf(AB), then yf(A)f(B). Hence f(AB \subseteq f(A) \cap f(B)\).

Theorem 6.35

Let f:ST be a function and let C and D be subsets of T. Then

  1. f1(CD)=f1(C)f1(D)
  2. f1(CD)=f1(C)f1(D)
Proof

We will prove Part (2). The proof of Part (1) is Exercise (6).

Assume that f:ST is a function and that C and D are subsets of T. We will prove that f1(CD)=f1(C)f1(D) by proving that each set is a subset of the other.

We start by letting x be an element of f1(CD). This means that f(x) is an element of CD. Hence,

f(x)C or f(x)D

In the case where f(x)C, we conclude that xf1(C), and hence that xf1(C)f1(D). In the case where f(x)D, we see that xf1(D), and hence that xf1(C)f1(D). So in both cases, xf1(C)f1(D), and we have proved that f1(CD)f1(C)f1(D)

We now let tf1(C)f1(D). This means that

tf1(C) or tf1(D)

  • In the case where tf1(C), we conclude that f(t)C and hence that f(t)CD. This means that tf1(CD).
  • Similarly, when tf1(D), it follows that f(t)D and hence that f(t)CD. This means that tf1(CD).

These two cases prove that if tf1(C)f1(D), then tf1(CD). Therefore, f1(C)f1(D)f1(CD).

Since we have now proved that each of the two sets is a subset of the other set, we can conclude that f1(CD)=f1(C)f1(D).

Theorem 6.36.

Let f:ST be a function and let A be a subset of S and let C be a subset of T. Then

  1. Af1(f(A))
  2. f(f1(C))C
Proof

We will prove Part (1). The proof of Part (2) is Exercise (7).

To prove Part (1), we will prove that for all aS, if aA, then af1(f(A)). So let aA. Then, by definition, f(a)f(A). We know that f(A)T, and so f1(f(A))S. Notice that

f1(f(A))={xS | f(x)f(A)}.

Since f(a)f(A), we use this to conclude that af1(f(A)).Thisprovesthatif\(aA, then af1(f(A)), and hence that Af1(f(A))

Exercise 6.6

  1. Let f:ST. let A and B be subsets of S, and let C and D be subsets of T. For xS and yT, carefully explain what it means to say that

    (a) yf(AB)
    (b) yf(AB)
    (c) yf(A)f(B)
    (d) yf(A)f(B)
    (e) xf1(CD)
    (f) xf1(CD)
    (g) xf1(C)f1(D)
    (h) xf1(C)f1(D)
  2. Let f:RR by f(x)=2x+1. Let

    A=[2,5] B=[1,3] C=[2,3] D=[1,4].

    Find each of the following:

    (a) f(A)
    (b) f1(f(A))
    (c) f1(C)
    (d) f(f1(C))
    (e) f(AB)
    (f) f(A)f(B)
    (g) f1(CD)
    (h) f1(C)f1(D)
  3. Let g:N×NN by g(m,n)=2m3n, let A={1,2,3}, and let C={1,4,6,9,12,16,18}. Find

    (a) g(A×A)
    (b) g1(C)
    (c) g1(g(A×A))
    (d) g(g1(C))
  4. (a) Let S={1,2,3,4}. Define F:SN by F(x)=x2 for each xs. What is the range of the function F and what is F(S)? How do these two sets compare?

    Now let A and B be sets and let f:AB be an arbitrary function from A to B.

    (b) Explain why f(A)=range(f).
    (c) Define a function g:Af(A) by g(x)=f(x) for all x in A. Prove that the function g is a surjection.
  5. Prove Part (2) of Theorem 6.34.
    Let f:ST be a function and let A and B be subsets of S. Then f(AB)=f(A)f(B).
  6. Prove Part (1) of Theorem 6.35.
    Let f:ST be a function and let C and D be subsets of T. Then f1(CD)=f1(C)f1(D).
  7. Prove Part (2) of Theorem 6.36.
    Let f:ST be a function and let CT. Then f(f1(C))C.
  8. Let f:ST and let A and B be subsets of S. Prove or disprove each of the following:

    (a) If AB, then f(A)f(B).
    (b) If f(A)f(B), then AB.
  9. Let f:ST and let C and D be subsets of T. Prove or disprove each of the following:

    (a) If CD, then f1(C)f1(D).
    (b) If f1(C)f1(D), then CD.
  10. Prove or disprove:
    If f:ST is a function and A and B are subsets of S, then
    f(A)f(B)f(AB).
    Note: Part (1) of Theorem 6.34 states that f(AB)f(A)f(B).
  11. If f:ST is a function, let AS, and let CT.
    (a) Part (1) of Theorem 6.36 states that Af1(f(A)). Give an example where f1(f(A))\notsubseteqA.
    (b) Part (2) of Theorem 6.36 states that f(f1(C))C. Give an example where C\notsubseteqf(f1(C)).
  12. Is the following proposition true or false? Justify your conclusion with a proof or a counterexample.
    If f:ST is an injection and AS, then f1(f(A))=A.
  13. Is the following proposition true or false? Justify your conclusion with a proof or a counterexample.
    If f:ST is an injection and CT, then f1(f(C))=C.
  14. Let (f: S \to T\). Prove that f(AB)=f(A)f(B) for all subsets A and B of S if and only if f is an injection.
Answer

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This page titled 6.6: Functions Acting on Sets is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Ted Sundstrom (ScholarWorks @Grand Valley State University) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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