- k!
- k^2
- k^k
- 2^k
- 2^{k+1}
So the question is: how many unique functions can we create by changing the numbers in the tuples? Well, we know the function is one to one, so we know that if our function was {(1, x), (2, y), (3, z)}, x, y, and z have to be different. If we take our example function and choose in the order x, y, z, there are 3 choices for x (out of {1, 2, 3}), 2 choices for y (out of {1, 3}) and only one choice for z (only {1} is left). So the total number of possible functions we could have had is: 3!=3\cdot2\cdot1=6. Thus, for a non-empty finite set with k elements, then the number of one-to-one functions from S onto S is k!.
What if we didn't require the functions to be one-to-one? Which of the answers would it be?
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I think.
It is k^k if we lose the requirement of injectivity. Each of the k elements of S can be mapped to any element of S, of which there are k.
Yes, they would be. Any one to one function would automatically be onto.
Just to qualify a bit more carefully -- any one-to-one function on a finite set is automatically onto
Right. I was thinking in the context of this question, but it never hurts to be too precise.
Thanks!
If we don't require functions to be one-to-one, the answer would be k^k.
I think.
@Sean:
It is k^k if we lose the requirement of injectivity. Each of the k elements of S can be mapped to any element of S, of which there are k.
Also, since the domain and the codomain are one and the same, would the number of surjections be the same as the number of injections as well?
@leegao:
Yes, they would be. Any one to one function would automatically be onto.
@Paul:
Just to qualify a bit more carefully -- any one-to-one function on a finite set is automatically onto
@Mattie:
Right. I was thinking in the context of this question, but it never hurts to be too precise.
Thanks!
If you think in terms of group theory, since the injective functions are bijections, the number of bijections is the order of the symmetric group S_k, which is k!
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