Problem 55

Question

If \(f(x)\) is one-to-one, can anything be said about \(g(x)=-f(x) ?\) Is it also one-to-one? Give reasons for your answer.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
Yes, \( g(x) = -f(x) \) is one-to-one because it retains the distinct outputs for distinct inputs like \( f(x) \).
1Step 1: Understanding One-to-One Functions
A function \( f(x) \) is considered one-to-one if for every pair of distinct inputs \( x_1 \) and \( x_2 \), the outputs \( f(x_1) \) and \( f(x_2) \) are also distinct. This means \( f(x_1) = f(x_2) \) implies \( x_1 = x_2 \).
2Step 2: Analyzing Function Modification
The function \( g(x) = -f(x) \) represents a transformation of \( f(x) \) by reflecting its outputs over the x-axis. We need to verify if this transformation preserves the one-to-one nature of \( f(x) \).
3Step 3: Proving One-to-One Property for g(x)
To determine if \( g(x) \) is one-to-one, assume \( g(x_1) = g(x_2) \). Plug in \( g(x) = -f(x) \) to get \( -f(x_1) = -f(x_2) \). Simplify this to find \( f(x_1) = f(x_2) \). Since \( f(x) \) is one-to-one, \( x_1 = x_2 \) must hold, confirming \( g(x) \) is also one-to-one.
4Step 4: Conclusion
Since the transformation \( g(x) = -f(x) \) retains the distinctness of outputs for distinct inputs due to \( f(x) \) being one-to-one, \( g(x) \) is confirmed to be a one-to-one function.

Key Concepts

Function TransformationReflection Over X-axisDistinct Inputs and OutputsPreserving Bijectivity
Function Transformation
In mathematics, a function transformation refers to the process of changing a function's appearance or position on a coordinate plane. This can include shifts, stretches, compressions, and reflections. When performing a transformation on a function, it's crucial to understand how these changes affect the original function's properties.

For instance, if we have a function \( f(x) \) and we apply a transformation to create a new function \( g(x) = -f(x) \), we're reflecting every point of \( f(x) \) over the x-axis. This specific transformation is a type of reflection. While the shape of the graph changes, it's key to analyze whether essential characteristics, like being one-to-one, are maintained. This is important because it helps determine if the new function still behaves similarly to the original in terms of unique outputs for given inputs.
Reflection Over X-axis
A reflection over the x-axis is a specific type of function transformation. It involves flipping the graph of a function such that all points are mirrored with respect to the x-axis. This means if a point on the original function is at \((x, y)\), then on the reflected function it will be at \((x, -y)\).

In the context of our given function \( g(x) = -f(x) \), the negative sign indicates this reflection. It's important to note that reflection, in general, does not alter the relationship between distinct inputs and outputs, if the original function was one-to-one. The transformation only affects the graph's orientation. Thus, the one-to-one nature of a function, meaning each input corresponds to a unique output, remains preserved through this reflection.
Distinct Inputs and Outputs
Distinct inputs and outputs are fundamental to the concept of a one-to-one function. A function \( f(x) \) is one-to-one if it never assigns the same output to two different inputs. This condition is mathematically represented as: if \( f(x_1) = f(x_2) \), then \( x_1 = x_2 \).

For our transformed function \( g(x) = -f(x) \), preserving this distinctness is crucial. When checked, even after reflecting \( f(x) \) over the x-axis, the distinct nature of outputs given distinct inputs holds steady. This is because reflection over the x-axis does not merge outputs; it merely inverts them vertically on a coordinate plane without loss of uniqueness.
  • Ensures that for any two differing inputs, their outputs will remain distinct even after transformation.
  • The function's property of mapping each specific input to a unique output continues unabated.
Preserving Bijectivity
Bijectivity is a property describing a function that is both one-to-one (injective) and onto (surjective). However, when we focus on preserving bijectivity in the context of transformations like\( g(x) = -f(x) \), we primarily deal with maintaining the injective nature.

For a one-to-one function \( f(x) \), reflecting over the x-axis does not alter the relationship between inputs and outputs. The invertible nature of the function remains intact, confirming that the transformation preserves bijectivity concerning being one-to-one.
  • Injective (one-to-one): No two distinct inputs map to the same output, before or after transformation.
  • Surjective (onto): Not directly addressed by reflection alone but important to full bijectivity if overall mapping is sustained.
In the scenario of \( g(x) = -f(x) \), the function remains one-to-one because the reflection transformation respects the original function’s distinct mapping of inputs to outputs, ensuring its bijective character remains preserved as far as injectivity is concerned.