Linear Mappings: Examining Bijectivity

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In summary, there was a discussion on whether a linear mapping implies bijectivity, with an example provided of L(x,y)=(x,0) and L(x,y)=(0,0). The topic then shifted to discussing the equivalent claims of injectivity, surjectivity, bijectivity, and invertibility for a linear mapping in a finite-dimensional vector space. There was also a brief question about the dimension of a specific plane, with the conclusion being that the dimension is the number of basis vectors needed to span the space. The conversation ended with a tip on using basis vectors to show that linear combinations of them cannot leave the given space.
  • #1
Anonymous217
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Does a linear mapping imply that it is also bijective? I would assume this is not true because there wouldn't be a subcategory of linear mappings called bijective linear mappings then (isomorphisms, etc.).
Can someone give me an example of a linear mapping that is not bijective? I keep thinking in terms of R squared and how a line obviously shows it's one-to-one and onto, and I can't think of an example where a linear mapping isn't bijective. I'm probably missing something obvious.
 
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  • #2
The function L(x,y)=(x,0). Or even just L(x,y)=(0,0)
 
  • #3
Thanks! That really was inherently obvious, especially that last example. I guess I keep thinking of linear mappings in relation to geometric lines.
 
  • #4
It's also useful to know that if V is a finite-dimensional vector space, and T:V→V is linear, all of these claims are equivalent:

T is injective
T is surjective
T is bijective
T is invertible

This is theorem 3.21 in Axler.
 
  • #5
Fredrik said:
(...)these claims are equivalent:
(...)
T is bijective
T is invertible
To prevent possible confusion, "invertible" here means "invertible in the category of vector spaces", i.e. there exists a linear inverse.
 
  • #6
I had a quick question but I didn't want to make another topic about it because I feel like that would be a waste of space so I'll just cram it here.
What's the dimension of [PLAIN]http://data.artofproblemsolving.com/aops20/latex/texer/893a2ae84b20d51f3beecf662ec7aab02ee073b1.png [\img]? (Sorry, I can't get [tex] tags to work here and I don't know how to do the Reals symbol in latex. I also seem to have problems displaying images with tags.)
It's just the xy-plane and I know it should be 2-dimensional, but then again it has 3 coordinates. Also, I know R^3/E_1 is isomorphic to E_12. Therefore, dim(R^3) - dim(E_1) = dim(E_{12}) and so it should be 2=2. So in general, my question is probably this: is the dimension only based on nonzero coordinates (since you could expand E_{12} to have more 0 coordinates I guess)?
 
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  • #7
The dimension is the number of basis vectors you need to span the whole space. You can get anywhere in E_12, with multiples of basis vectors: a=(1,0) and b=(0,1). You cannot do it with less than two basis vectors, you can choose others for example (1,1) and (1,-1), but you need at least two. So, the dimension of E_12 is 2.

If you think of E_12 as being embedded in some higher dimensional space you might write the two basis vectors that span E_12 as a=(1,0,0,0,0,0) and b=(0,1,0,0,0,0), any linear combination of a and b will be of the form (x,y,0,0,0,0). Showing that linear combinations of a and b can never get out of E_12.
 
  • #8
I completely forgot about doing it by basis vectors. Thanks!
 
  • #9
The LaTeX code for [itex]\mathbb R[/itex] is \mathbb R. And img tags end with /img, not \img.
 

FAQ: Linear Mappings: Examining Bijectivity

What is the difference between bijective and linear functions?

Bijective and linear functions are both types of mathematical functions. A bijective function is a one-to-one and onto mapping between two sets, meaning that each element in the first set is paired with exactly one element in the second set, and vice versa. A linear function, on the other hand, is a function that has a constant rate of change and can be represented by a straight line on a graph.

How are bijective and linear functions used in science?

Bijective and linear functions are commonly used in various scientific fields, such as physics, chemistry, and biology. In physics, linear functions are used to describe the relationship between variables, such as distance and time. Bijective functions are used in genetics to map the relationship between genes and traits. They are also used in data analysis and modeling in many scientific studies.

Can a function be both bijective and linear?

Yes, a function can be both bijective and linear. An example of this is the function y = x, where every value of x is paired with a unique value of y, and the rate of change between x and y is constant (1). This function is both bijective and linear.

What are the advantages of using bijective and linear functions?

Bijective and linear functions have several advantages in scientific research. They provide a simple and efficient way to represent and analyze relationships between variables. They also allow for accurate predictions and modeling of complex systems. Additionally, they help in identifying patterns and trends in data, which can lead to new discoveries and advancements in various fields.

Are there any limitations to using bijective and linear functions?

While bijective and linear functions are valuable tools in science, they do have some limitations. For example, not all relationships between variables can be accurately represented by a linear function. Also, bijective functions can only be used when there is a one-to-one correspondence between the elements of two sets. Therefore, scientists must carefully consider the limitations of these functions when applying them to their research.

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