IT2313

COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONS
In the previous topic, we learned that the domain and range of a given set can be categorized as injective,
surjective or bijective. In this module, we will go deeper in analyzing how these categories are involved in one-
to-one and onto functions.

One-to-One and Onto Functions

We have previously established that injections are also called one-to-one functions, primarily because each
input in the set has only one output. The mapping diagram below shows a comparison of what a one-to-one
function looks like compared to a many-to-one function.

One-to-one and many-to-one comparison. Retrieved from https://www.storyofmathematics.com/one-to-one-function/

If all elements of the range have a corresponding element in the domain, it becomes an onto function. Looking
at the image below, we see that in an onto function, all elements of Set B are used.

One-to-one and Onto Functions. Retrieved from https://www.aplustopper.com/one-to-one-and-onto-functions/

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Bijective Functions and its Inverse

A function becomes bijective if and only if it meets both requirements:

1. It is qualified as a one-to-one function; and
2. It is an onto function.

Only a bijective function can have an inverse due to the flexible nature of injective and surjective functions. It
can be acquired given the scenarios below.

Scenario 1: Given a Relation

Determine 𝑅 −1 given 𝑅 = {(6, 7), (4, 3), (10, 9), (0, 1)}.

Solution:
Interchange 𝑥 and 𝑦. The domain becomes the range, and the range becomes the domain.
𝑅 = {(6, 7), (4, 3), (10, 9), (0, 1)}
𝑅 −1 = {(7, 6), (3, 4), (9, 10), (1, 0)}

Scenario 2: Given a Function

Determine 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1.

Solution:
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 1 Rewrite 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑦.
𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 1 Interchange 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝑥 − 1 = 3𝑦 Isolate 𝑦.
𝑥−1
=𝑦
3
𝑥−1
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = Rewrite 𝑦 as 𝑓 −1 (𝑥). This becomes the inverse of
3 the function.

All linear functions are bijections. To describe the connection between a bijection and its inverse, let us use
the same given in evaluating 𝑓(3).

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑓(3) = 3(3) + 1 Evaluate the function at 𝑓(3).
𝑓(3) = 10

Since 𝑓(3) = 10, the input is 3, and the output is 10 for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1. If we want to go back
from the output to the input, we cannot use the same function since 𝑓(10) = 31. This is where its inverse
comes along.

Let us try evaluating 𝑓(10) in the inverse of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1.

𝑥−1
𝑓(𝑥) =
3
Evaluate the function at 𝑓(10).

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10 − 1
𝑓(10) =
3 Simplify.
9
𝑓(10) =
3
𝑓(10) = 3
Using the inverse of the function, we were able to go back from the output to the original input since
𝑓(10) = 3. The image below shows the connection between a function and its inverse.

Boolean Functions
Recall that logical connectives operate in the premise of {True, False}. In Boolean functions, a similar
premise is being observed in the form {0, 1}, where 0 is interpreted as ‘false’ and 1 is ‘true.’ The connection
between the two concepts is shown in the table below.

Boolean Complement Boolean Product Boolean Sum

(Logical Negation) (Logical Conjunction) (Logical Disjunction)
𝒙 ≡ ¬𝒙 𝒙∙𝒚≡𝒙∧𝒚 𝒙+𝒚≡𝒙∨𝒚
0̅ = 1 0∙0=0 0+0=0
1̅ = 0 0∙1=0 0+1=1
1∙0=0 1+0=1
1∙1=1 1+1=1

Example:
Use a table to express the values of the Boolean function 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥̅ 𝑦.

Solution:
Establish a truth table using {0, 1}.

𝒙 𝒚 ̅
𝒙 ̅𝒚
𝒙
1 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 1 1 1
0 0 1 0

References:
Boolean functions. (n.d.). University of Hawaii. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from
http://courses.ics.hawaii.edu/ReviewICS241/morea/boolean-algebra/BooleanFunctions-QA.pdf

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India’s no.1 Govt Exam Preparation Site: Online Course: Mock test. Testbook.com - India’s No.1 Govt Exam
Preparation Site | Online Course | Mock Test. (n.d.). https://testbook.com/maths/inverse-relation
Injective, surjective and bijective. (2017). Math is fun. Retrieved from
https://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/injective-surjective-bijective.html
Kwong, H. (2021, July 7). 6.6: Inverse functions. Mathematics LibreTexts.
https://math.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Combinatorics_and_Discrete_Mathematics/A_Spiral_Work
book_for_Discrete_Mathematics_(Kwong)/06%3A_Functions/6.06%3A_Inverse_Functions#:~:text=T
he%20inverse%20of%20a%20bijection,f(x)%3Dy.
One to One Function – Explanation & Examples. (2020). The story of mathematics. Retrieved from
https://www.storyofmathematics.com/one-to-one-function/
One-to-one and onto functions. (2023). Aplustopper. Retrieved from https://www.aplustopper.com/one-to-
one-and-onto-functions/

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