Definition:Injection

Definition
A mapping $$f$$ is an injection, or injective, or one-one, or one-to-one iff:
 * $$\forall x_1, x_2 \in \operatorname{Dom} \left({f}\right): f \left({x_1}\right) = f \left({x_2}\right) \implies x_1 = x_2$$.

That is, it is a mapping such that the output uniquely determines its input.

Alternatively, this can be put:
 * $$\forall x_1, x_2 \in \operatorname{Dom} \left({f}\right): x_1 \ne x_2 \implies f \left({x_1}\right) \ne f \left({x_2}\right)$$.

The symbol $$f: S \rightarrowtail T$$ is sometimes used to indicate that $$f$$ is an injection from $$S$$ to $$T$$.

Basic Properties of an Injection

 * In Injection iff Left Cancellable it is shown that a mapping $$f$$ is an injection iff it is left cancellable.


 * In Left Inverse Mapping it is shown that a mapping $$f$$ is an injection iff it has a left inverse.


 * In Preimages All Unique iff Injection, it is shown that a mapping $$f$$ is an injection iff the preimage of every element of the range is guaranteed to have no more than one element.

Also see

 * Surjection
 * Bijection