Definition:Composition of Mappings/Also known as
Definition
Let $f_1: S_1 \to S_2$ and $f_2: S_2 \to S_3$ be mappings such that the domain of $f_2$ is the same set as the codomain of $f_1$.
Let $f_2 \circ f_1$ denote the composition of $f_1$ with $f_2$.
In the context of analysis, this is often found referred to as a function of a function, which (according to some sources) makes set theorists wince, as it is technically defined as a function on the codomain of a function.
Some sources call $f_2 \circ f_1$ the resultant of $f_1$ and $f_2$ or the product of $f_1$ and $f_2$.
Some authors write $f_2 \circ f_1$ as $f_2 f_1$.
Some use the notation $f_2 \cdot f_1$ or $f_2 . f_1$.
Some use the notation $f_2 \bigcirc f_1$.
Others, particularly in books having ties with computer science, write $f_1; f_2$ or $f_1 f_2$ (note the reversal of order), which is read as (apply) $f_1$, then $f_2$.
Sources
- 1951: Nathan Jacobson: Lectures in Abstract Algebra: Volume $\text { I }$: Basic Concepts ... (previous) ... (next): Introduction $\S 2$: Product sets, mappings
- 1959: E.M. Patterson: Topology (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$: Topological Spaces: $\S 9$. Functions
- 1964: W.E. Deskins: Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Exercise $1.3: \ 4$
- 1967: John D. Dixon: Problems in Group Theory ... (previous) ... (next): Introduction: Notation
- 1968: Ian D. Macdonald: The Theory of Groups ... (previous) ... (next): Appendix: Elementary set and number theory
- 1972: A.G. Howson: A Handbook of Terms used in Algebra and Analysis ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 2$: Sets and functions: Composition of functions
- 1975: T.S. Blyth: Set Theory and Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 5$. Induced mappings; composition; injections; surjections; bijections: Remark $4$
- 1977: K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 7.9$
- 1978: John S. Rose: A Course on Group Theory ... (previous) ... (next): $0$: Some Conventions and some Basic Facts
- 1978: Lynn Arthur Steen and J. Arthur Seebach, Jr.: Counterexamples in Topology (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Part $\text I$: Basic Definitions: Section $1$: General Introduction: Functions
- 1982: P.M. Cohn: Algebra Volume 1 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Sets and mappings: $\S 1.3$: Mappings
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- 2011: Robert G. Bartle and Donald R. Sherbert: Introduction to Real Analysis (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.1$: Sets and Functions