Linear Algebra for Team-Based Inquiry Learning

2023 Edition

Steven Clontz Drew Lewis
University of South Alabama

August 24, 2023

Section 3.4: Injective and Surjective Linear Maps (AT4)

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 1. An injective transformation and a non-injective transformation

Activity 3.4.1 (~3 min)

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 3.4.2 (~2 min)

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 3.4.2

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 2. A surjective transformation and a non-surjective transformation

Activity 3.4.3 (~3 min)

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 3.4.4 (~2 min)

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 3.4.5 (~5 min)

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

Fact 3.4.3

A linear transformation \(T\) is injective if and only if \(\ker T = \{\vec{0}\}\text{.}\) Put another way, an injective linear transformation may be recognized by its trivial kernel.

Figure 3. A linear transformation with trivial kernel, which is therefore injective

Activity 3.4.6 (~5 min)

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

Fact 3.4.4

A linear transformation \(T:V \rightarrow W\) is surjective if and only if \(\Im T = W\text{.}\) Put another way, a surjective linear transformation may be recognized by its identical codomain and image.

Figure 4. A linear transformation with identical codomain and image, which is therefore surjective; and a linear transformation with an image smaller than the codomain \(\IR^3\text{,}\) which is therefore not surjective.

Definition 3.4.5

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

Activity 3.4.7 (~5 min)

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 3.4.8 (~5 min)

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 3.4.9 (~5 min)

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 3.4.10 (~5 min)

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 3.4.6

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 3.4.11 (~3 min)

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 3.4.12 (~2 min)

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.

Fact 3.4.7

The following are true for any linear map \(T:V\to W\text{:}\)

  • If \(\dim(V)>\dim(W)\text{,}\) then \(T\) is not injective.

  • If \(\dim(V)<\dim(W)\text{,}\) then \(T\) is not surjective.

Basically, a linear transformation cannot reduce dimension without collapsing vectors into each other, and a linear transformation cannot increase dimension from its domain to its image.

Figure 5. A linear transformation whose domain has a larger dimension than its codomain, and is therefore not injective; and a linear transformation whose domain has a smaller dimension than its codomain, and is therefore not surjective.

But dimension arguments cannot be used to prove a map is injective or surjective.

Activity 3.4.13 (~5 min)

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).

Part 1.

How many pivot rows must \(\RREF A\) have?

Activity 3.4.13 (~5 min)

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).

Part 2.

How many pivot columns must \(\RREF A\) have?

Activity 3.4.13 (~5 min)

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).

Part 3.

What is \(\RREF A\text{?}\)

Activity 3.4.14 (~5 min)

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 3.4.8

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 3.4.15 (~3 min)

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 3.4.16 (~3 min)

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 3.4.17 (~3 min)

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 3.4.18 (~3 min)

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.