Composite of Bijection with Inverse is Identity Mapping
Theorem
Let $f: S \to T$ be a bijection.
Then:
\(\ds f^{-1} \circ f\) | \(=\) | \(\ds I_S\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds f \circ f^{-1}\) | \(=\) | \(\ds I_T\) |
where $I_S$ and $I_T$ are the identity mappings on $S$ and $T$ respectively.
Proof
Let $f: S \to T$ be a bijection.
From Inverse of Bijection is Bijection, $f^{-1}$ is also a bijection.
Let $x \in S$.
From Inverse Element of Bijection:
- $\exists y \in T: y = \map f x \implies x = \map {f^{-1} } y$
Then:
\(\ds \map {f^{-1} \circ f} x\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {f^{-1} } {\map f x}\) | Definition of Composition of Mappings | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {f^{-1} } y\) | by hypothesis | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds x\) | by hypothesis | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {I_S} x\) | Definition of Identity Mapping |
From Domain of Composite Relation and Codomain of Composite Relation, the domain and codomain of $f^{-1} \circ f$ are both $S$, and so are those of $I_S$ by definition.
So all the criteria for Equality of Mappings are met and thus $f^{-1} \circ f = I_S$.
Let $y \in T$.
From Inverse Element of Bijection:
- $\exists x \in S: x = \map {f^{-1} } y \implies y = \map f x$
Then:
\(\ds \map {f \circ f^{-1} } y\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map f {\map {f^{-1} } y}\) | Definition of Composition of Mappings | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map f x\) | by hypothesis | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds y\) | by hypothesis | |||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \map {I_T} y\) | Definition of Identity Mapping |
From Domain of Composite Relation and Codomain of Composite Relation, the domain and codomain of $f \circ f^{-1}$ are both $T$, and so are those of $I_T$ by definition.
So all the criteria for Equality of Mappings are met and thus $f \circ f^{-1} = I_T$.
$\blacksquare$
Also see
- Bijection iff Left and Right Inverse for the converse of this result.
Sources
- 1951: Nathan Jacobson: Lectures in Abstract Algebra: Volume $\text { I }$: Basic Concepts ... (previous) ... (next): Introduction $\S 2$: Product sets, mappings
- 1965: J.A. Green: Sets and Groups ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 3.5$. Identity mappings: Example $52$
- 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text I$: Algebraic Structures: $\S 5$: Composites and Inverses of Functions: Theorem $5.5$
- 1971: Allan Clark: Elements of Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Mappings: $\S 16$
- 1971: Robert H. Kasriel: Undergraduate Topology ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.14$: Composition of Functions: Exercise $6$
- 1978: Thomas A. Whitelaw: An Introduction to Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 24.4$
- 1993: Keith Devlin: The Joy of Sets: Fundamentals of Contemporary Set Theory (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1$: Naive Set Theory: $\S 1.6$: Functions