Skip to main content

Linear Algebra for Team-Based Inquiry Learning: 2023 Edition

Steven Clontz, Drew Lewis

Section 3.4 Injective and Surjective Linear Maps (AT4)

Subsection 3.4.1 Class Activities

Definition 3.4.1.

Let \(T: V \rightarrow W\) be a linear transformation. \(T\) is called injective or one-to-one if \(T\) does not map two distinct vectors to the same place. More precisely, \(T\) is injective if \(T(\vec{v}) \neq T(\vec{w})\) whenever \(\vec{v} \neq \vec{w}\text{.}\)
Figure 30. An injective transformation and a non-injective transformation

Activity 3.4.2.

Let \(T: \IR^3 \rightarrow \IR^2\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\\z \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \end{array}\right] \hspace{3em} \text{with standard matrix } \left[\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \end{array}\right] \end{equation*}
Is \(T\) injective?
  1. Yes, because \(T(\vec v)=T(\vec w)\) whenever \(\vec v=\vec w\text{.}\)
  2. Yes, because \(T(\vec v)\not=T(\vec w)\) whenever \(\vec v\not=\vec w\text{.}\)
  3. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\1\end{array}\right]\right) \not= T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\2\end{array}\right]\right) \text{.}\)
  4. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\1\end{array}\right]\right) = T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\2\end{array}\right]\right) \text{.}\)

Activity 3.4.3.

Let \(T: \IR^2 \rightarrow \IR^3\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ 0 \end{array}\right] \hspace{3em} \text{with standard matrix } \left[\begin{array}{cc} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{array}\right] \end{equation*}
Is \(T\) injective?
  1. Yes, because \(T(\vec v)=T(\vec w)\) whenever \(\vec v=\vec w\text{.}\)
  2. Yes, because \(T(\vec v)\not=T(\vec w)\) whenever \(\vec v\not=\vec w\text{.}\)
  3. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}1\\2\end{array}\right]\right) \not= T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}3\\4\end{array}\right]\right) \text{.}\)
  4. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}1\\2\end{array}\right]\right) = T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}3\\4\end{array}\right]\right) \text{.}\)

Definition 3.4.4.

Let \(T: V \rightarrow W\) be a linear transformation. \(T\) is called surjective or onto if every element of \(W\) is mapped to by an element of \(V\text{.}\) More precisely, for every \(\vec{w} \in W\text{,}\) there is some \(\vec{v} \in V\) with \(T(\vec{v})=\vec{w}\text{.}\)
Figure 31. A surjective transformation and a non-surjective transformation

Activity 3.4.5.

Let \(T: \IR^2 \rightarrow \IR^3\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ 0 \end{array}\right] \hspace{3em} \text{with standard matrix } \left[\begin{array}{cc} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{array}\right] \end{equation*}
Is \(T\) surjective?
  1. Yes, because for every \(\vec w=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\\z\end{array}\right]\in\IR^3\text{,}\) there exists \(\vec v=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\end{array}\right]\in\IR^2\) such that \(T(\vec v)=\vec w\text{.}\)
  2. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\end{array}\right]\right)\) can never equal \(\left[\begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{array}\right] \text{.}\)
  3. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\end{array}\right]\right)\) can never equal \(\left[\begin{array}{c} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{array}\right] \text{.}\)

Activity 3.4.6.

Let \(T: \IR^3 \rightarrow \IR^2\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\\z \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \end{array}\right] \hspace{3em} \text{with standard matrix } \left[\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \end{array}\right] \end{equation*}
Is \(T\) surjective?
  1. Yes, because for every \(\vec w=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\end{array}\right]\in\IR^2\text{,}\) there exists \(\vec v=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\\42\end{array}\right]\in\IR^3\) such that \(T(\vec v)=\vec w\text{.}\)
  2. Yes, because for every \(\vec w=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\end{array}\right]\in\IR^2\text{,}\) there exists \(\vec v=\left[\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\z\end{array}\right]\in\IR^3\) such that \(T(\vec v)=\vec w\text{.}\)
  3. No, because \(T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\y\\z\end{array}\right]\right)\) can never equal \(\left[\begin{array}{c} 3\\-2 \end{array}\right] \text{.}\)

Activity 3.4.7.

Let \(T: V \rightarrow W\) be a linear transformation where \(\ker T\) contains multiple vectors. What can you conclude?
  1. \(T\) is injective
  2. \(T\) is not injective
  3. \(T\) is surjective
  4. \(T\) is not surjective

Activity 3.4.9.

Let \(T: V \rightarrow \IR^3\) be a linear transformation where \(\Im T\) may be spanned by only two vectors. What can you conclude?
  1. \(T\) is injective
  2. \(T\) is not injective
  3. \(T\) is surjective
  4. \(T\) is not surjective

Definition 3.4.11.

A transformation that is both injective and surjective is said to be bijective.

Activity 3.4.12.

Let \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^m\) be a linear map with standard matrix \(A\text{.}\) Determine whether each of the following statements means \(T\) is (A) injective, (B) surjective, or (C) bijective (both).
  1. The kernel of \(T\) is trivial, i.e. \(\ker T=\{\vec 0\}\text{.}\)
  2. The image of \(T\) equals its codomain, i.e. \(\Im T=\IR^m\text{.}\)
  3. For every \(\vec w\in \IR^m\text{,}\) the set \(\{\vec w\in \IR^n|T(\vec v)=\vec w\}\) contains exactly one vector.

Activity 3.4.13.

Let \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^m\) be a linear map with standard matrix \(A\text{.}\) Determine whether each of the following statements means \(T\) is (A) injective, (B) surjective, or (C) bijective (both).
  1. The columns of \(A\) span \(\IR^m\text{.}\)
  2. The columns of \(A\) form a basis for \(\IR^m\text{.}\)
  3. The columns of \(A\) are linearly independent.

Activity 3.4.14.

Let \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^m\) be a linear map with standard matrix \(A\text{.}\) Determine whether each of the following statements means \(T\) is (A) injective, (B) surjective, or (C) bijective (both).
  1. \(\RREF(A)\) is the identity matrix.
  2. Every column of \(\RREF(A)\) has a pivot.
  3. Every row of \(\RREF(A)\) has a pivot.

Activity 3.4.15.

Let \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^m\) be a linear map with standard matrix \(A\text{.}\) Determine whether each of the following statements means \(T\) is (A) injective, (B) surjective, or (C) bijective (both).
  1. The system of linear equations given by the augmented matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{c|c}A & \vec{b} \end{array}\right]\) has a solution for all \(\vec{b} \in \IR^m\text{.}\)
  2. The system of linear equations given by the augmented matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{c|c}A & \vec{b} \end{array}\right]\) has exactly one solution for all \(\vec{b} \in \IR^m\text{.}\)
  3. The system of linear equations given by the augmented matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{c|c} A & \vec{0} \end{array}\right]\) has exactly one solution.

Observation 3.4.16.

The easiest way to determine if the linear map with standard matrix \(A\) is injective is to see if \(\RREF(A)\) has a pivot in each column.
The easiest way to determine if the linear map with standard matrix \(A\) is surjective is to see if \(\RREF(A)\) has a pivot in each row.

Activity 3.4.17.

What can you conclude about the linear map \(T:\IR^2\to\IR^3\) with standard matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{cc} a & b \\ c & d \\ e & f \end{array}\right]\text{?}\)
  1. Its standard matrix has more columns than rows, so \(T\) is not injective.
  2. Its standard matrix has more columns than rows, so \(T\) is injective.
  3. Its standard matrix has more rows than columns, so \(T\) is not surjective.
  4. Its standard matrix has more rows than columns, so \(T\) is surjective.

Activity 3.4.18.

What can you conclude about the linear map \(T:\IR^3\to\IR^2\) with standard matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{ccc} a & b & c \\ d & e & f \end{array}\right]\text{?}\)
  1. Its standard matrix has more columns than rows, so \(T\) is not injective.
  2. Its standard matrix has more columns than rows, so \(T\) is injective.
  3. Its standard matrix has more rows than columns, so \(T\) is not surjective.
  4. Its standard matrix has more rows than columns, so \(T\) is surjective.

Activity 3.4.20.

Suppose \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^4\) with standard matrix \(A=\left[\begin{array}{cccc} a_{11}&a_{12}&\cdots&a_{1n}\\ a_{21}&a_{22}&\cdots&a_{2n}\\ a_{31}&a_{32}&\cdots&a_{3n}\\ a_{41}&a_{42}&\cdots&a_{4n}\\ \end{array}\right]\) is both injective and surjective (we call such maps bijective).
(a)
How many pivot rows must \(\RREF A\) have?
(b)
How many pivot columns must \(\RREF A\) have?
(c)
What is \(\RREF A\text{?}\)

Activity 3.4.21.

Let \(T: \IR^n \rightarrow \IR^n\) be a bijective linear map with standard matrix \(A\text{.}\) Label each of the following as true or false.
  1. \(\RREF(A)\) is the identity matrix.
  2. The columns of \(A\) form a basis for \(\IR^n\)
  3. The system of linear equations given by the augmented matrix \(\left[\begin{array}{c|c} A & \vec{b} \end{array}\right]\) has exactly one solution for each \(\vec b \in \IR^n\text{.}\)

Observation 3.4.22.

The easiest way to show that the linear map with standard matrix \(A\) is bijective is to show that \(\RREF(A)\) is the identity matrix.

Activity 3.4.23.

Let \(T: \IR^3 \rightarrow \IR^3\) be given by the standard matrix
\begin{equation*} A=\left[\begin{array}{ccc} 2&1&-1 \\ 4&1&1 \\ 6&2&1\end{array}\right]. \end{equation*}
Which of the following must be true?
  1. \(T\) is neither injective nor surjective
  2. \(T\) is injective but not surjective
  3. \(T\) is surjective but not injective
  4. \(T\) is bijective.

Activity 3.4.24.

Let \(T: \IR^3 \rightarrow \IR^3\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{ccc} x \\ y \\ z \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} 2x+y-z \\ 4x+y+z \\ 6x+2y\end{array}\right]. \end{equation*}
Which of the following must be true?
  1. \(T\) is neither injective nor surjective
  2. \(T\) is injective but not surjective
  3. \(T\) is surjective but not injective
  4. \(T\) is bijective.

Activity 3.4.25.

Let \(T: \IR^2 \rightarrow \IR^3\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} 2x+3y \\ x-y \\ x+3y\end{array}\right]. \end{equation*}
Which of the following must be true?
  1. \(T\) is neither injective nor surjective
  2. \(T\) is injective but not surjective
  3. \(T\) is surjective but not injective
  4. \(T\) is bijective.

Activity 3.4.26.

Let \(T: \IR^3 \rightarrow \IR^2\) be given by
\begin{equation*} T\left(\left[\begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ z \end{array}\right] \right) = \left[\begin{array}{c} 2x+y-z \\ 4x+y+z\end{array}\right]. \end{equation*}
Which of the following must be true?
  1. \(T\) is neither injective nor surjective
  2. \(T\) is injective but not surjective
  3. \(T\) is surjective but not injective
  4. \(T\) is bijective.

Subsection 3.4.2 Videos

Figure 35. Video: The kernel and image of a linear transformation
Figure 36. Video: Finding a basis of the image of a linear transformation

Subsection 3.4.3 Slideshow

Exercises 3.4.4 Exercises

Subsection 3.4.5 Mathematical Writing Explorations

Exploration 3.4.27.

Suppose that \(f:V \rightarrow W\) is a linear transformation between two vector spaces \(V\) and \(W\text{.}\) State carefully what conditions \(f\) must satisfy. Let \(\vec{0_V}\) and \(\vec{0_W}\) be the zero vectors in \(V\) and \(W\) respectively.
  • Prove that \(f\) is one-to-one if and only if \(f(\vec{0_V}) = \vec{0_W}\text{,}\) and that \(\vec{0_V}\) is the unique element of \(V\) which is mapped to \(\vec{0_W}\text{.}\) Remember that this needs to be done in both directions. First prove the if and only if statement, and then show the uniqueness.
  • Do not use subtraction in your proof. The only vector space operation we have is addition, and a structure preserving function only preserves addition. If you are writing \(\vec{v} - \vec{v} = \vec{0}_V\text{,}\) what you really mean is that \(\vec{v} \oplus \vec{v}^{-1} = \vec{0}_V\text{,}\) where \(\vec{v}^{-1}\) is the additive inverse of \(\vec{v}\text{.}\)

Exploration 3.4.28.

Start with an \(n\)-dimensional vector space \(V\text{.}\) We can define the dual of \(V\text{,}\) denoted \(V^*\text{,}\) by
\begin{equation*} V^* = \{h:V \rightarrow \mathbb{R}: h \mbox{ is linear}\}. \end{equation*}
Prove that \(V\) is isomorphic to\(V^*\text{.}\) Here are some things to think about as you work through this.
  • Start by assuming you have a basis for \(V\text{.}\) How many basis vectors should you have?
  • For each basis vector in \(V\text{,}\) define a function that returns 1 if it’s given that basis vector, and returns 0 if it’s given any other basis vector. For example, if \(\vec{b_i}\) and \(\vec{b_j}\) are each members of the basis for \(V\text{,}\) and you’ll need a function \(f_i:V \rightarrow \{0,1\}\text{,}\) where \(f_i(b_i) = 1\) and \(f_i(b_j)= 0\) for all \(j \neq i\text{.}\)
  • How many of these functions will you need? Show that each of them is in \(V^*\text{.}\)
  • Show that the functions you found in the last part are a basis for \(V^*\text{?}\) To do this, take an arbitrary function \(h \in V^*\) and some vector \(\vec{v} \in V\text{.}\) Write \(\vec{v}\) in terms of the basis you chose earlier. How can you write \(h(\vec{v})\text{,}\) with respect to that basis? Pay attention to the fact that all functions in \(V^*\) are linear.
  • Now that you’ve got a basis for \(V\) and a basis for \(V^*\text{,}\) can you find an isomorphism?

Subsection 3.4.6 Sample Problem and Solution

Sample problem Example B.1.15.
<Prev^TopNext>