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📐 Mathematics  ·  Relations and Functions (Class 12)  ·  JEE

For a function between two finite sets of the same size, one-one implies onto. Why does this fail for infinite sets?

Answer: An infinite set can be placed in bijection with a proper subset of itself, leaving room for injective maps that miss elements.

  • A An infinite set can be placed in bijection with a proper subset of itself, leaving room for injective maps that miss elements
  • B Infinite sets never admit one-one functions in the majority of documented cases
  • C Onto functions cannot be defined on infinite sets under standard conventions
  • D The pigeonhole principle applies only when the codomain is uncountable

Correct answer: A. An infinite set can be placed in bijection with a proper subset of itself, leaving room for injective maps that miss elements

Explanation: The finite argument relies on counting; with infinite sets f(n) = 2n on ℕ is injective yet misses every odd number.

Concept context

Types of relations, equivalence classes, one-one and onto functions, composition, and invertible functions

Read the full Relations and Functions (Class 12) notes →