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Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 7.1.55

Show that increasing functions and decreasing functions are one-to-one. That is, show that for any x₁ and x₂ in I, x₂ ≠ x₁ implies f(x₂) ≠ f(x₁).

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Recall the definition of a one-to-one (injective) function: a function \( f \) is one-to-one if for any \( x_1, x_2 \) in the domain, \( f(x_1) = f(x_2) \) implies \( x_1 = x_2 \). Equivalently, if \( x_1 \neq x_2 \), then \( f(x_1) \neq f(x_2) \).
Consider \( f \) to be an increasing function on an interval \( I \). By definition, for any \( x_1, x_2 \in I \) with \( x_1 < x_2 \), we have \( f(x_1) < f(x_2) \).
To show \( f \) is one-to-one, assume \( x_1 \neq x_2 \). Without loss of generality, suppose \( x_1 < x_2 \). Since \( f \) is increasing, it follows that \( f(x_1) < f(x_2) \), so \( f(x_1) \neq f(x_2) \).
Similarly, if \( f \) is decreasing on \( I \), then for any \( x_1 < x_2 \), \( f(x_1) > f(x_2) \). Using the same reasoning, \( x_1 \neq x_2 \) implies \( f(x_1) \neq f(x_2) \), so \( f \) is one-to-one.
Thus, both increasing and decreasing functions satisfy the condition that distinct inputs map to distinct outputs, proving they are one-to-one functions.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Monotonic Functions

A function is monotonic if it is either entirely non-increasing or non-decreasing over its domain. Increasing functions satisfy f(x₂) > f(x₁) whenever x₂ > x₁, while decreasing functions satisfy f(x₂) < f(x₁) for x₂ > x₁. This property ensures a consistent order in function values.
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One-to-One (Injective) Functions

A function is one-to-one if different inputs produce different outputs, meaning f(x₁) = f(x₂) implies x₁ = x₂. This property guarantees that the function has an inverse on its range, as no two distinct domain points map to the same value.
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Proof Using Contradiction for Injectivity

To prove monotonic functions are one-to-one, assume the opposite: that two distinct inputs map to the same output. Using the monotonicity property, this leads to a contradiction because increasing or decreasing behavior prevents equal outputs for different inputs, confirming injectivity.
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