surjection

Definition

A function for which every element of the codomain is mapped to by some element of the domain; (formally) Any function f:X→Y for which for every y∈Y, there is at least one x∈X such that f(x)=y.

Etymology

From French surjection, introduced by Nicolas Bourbaki in their treatise Éléments de mathématique. Ultimately borrowed from Latin superiectiō (“a throwing over or on; (fig.) an exaggeration, a hyperbole”).

Example Sentences

• "In some special cases, however, the number of surjections A#92;rightarrowB can be identified."
• "Let J#61;#92;cap#95;im#95;i be the (irredundant) primary decomposition of J. We associate to the pair (J,#92;omega) the element #92;textstyle#92;sum#95;i(m#95;i,#92;omega#95;i)#92;inG, where #92;omega#95;i is the equivalence class of surjections from L#47;m#95;iL#92;oplus(A#47;m#95;i)#123;n-1#125; to m#95;i#47;m#95;i² induced by #92;omega."
• "In Banach space theory, a mapping u#58;E#92;rightarrowF (between Banach spaces) is called a metric surjection if it is onto and if the associated mapping from E#47;#92;text#123;ker#125;(u) to F is an isometric isomorphism. Moreover, by the classical open mapping theorem, u is a surjection iff the associated mapping from E#47;#92;text#123;ker#125;(u) to F is an isomorphism."

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