Thread: Basic proof of onto functions

1. Basic proof of onto functions

"Suppose $f: A \to B$ is onto. Show that $\forall \, Y \subset B, f(f^{-1}(Y)) = Y$.

Here's what I did:

1. Observe that $\forall x \in f^{-1}(Y), f(x) \in Y$. Then $f(f^{-1}(Y)) \subset Y$.
2. Since f is onto, $Y \subset f(A)$.

This is where I'm stuck. How do I continue step 2 to show that $f(f^{-1}(Y)) \supset Y$? Obviously $f^{-1}(Y) \subset A$, but I don't see how that helps...

2. Re: Basic proof of onto functions

Originally Posted by phys251
"Suppose $f: A \to B$ is onto. Show that $\forall \, Y \subset B, f(f^{-1}(Y)) = Y$.

1. Observe that $\forall x \in f^{-1}(Y), f(x) \in Y$. Then $f(f^{-1}(Y)) \subset Y$.
2. Since f is onto, $Y \subset f(A)$.
Suppose $t\in Y$ then $\exists b\in A$ such that $f(b)=t$. Does that mean $t\in f(A)~?$

3. Re: Basic proof of onto functions

Let $y \in Y$. Since $f$ is onto, there exists $a \in A$ such that $f(a) = y$. Hence, $a\in f^{-1}(Y)$ implies $y = f(a) \in f(f^{-1}(Y))$. This shows $Y\subseteq f(f^{-1}(Y))$.