Graph of Real Surjection in Coordinate Plane intersects Every Horizontal Line
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Theorem
Let $f: \R \to \R$ be a real function which is surjective.
Let its graph be embedded in the Cartesian plane $\CC$:
Every horizontal line through a point $b$ in the codomain of $f$ intersects the graph of $f$ on at least one point $P = \tuple {a, b}$ where $b = \map f a$.
Proof
From Equation of Horizontal Line, a horizontal line in $\CC$ through the point $\tuple {0, b}$ on the $y$-axis has an equation $y = b$.
By hypothesis, $f$ is a surjection.
Hence:
- $\forall b \in \R: \exists a \in \R: b = \map f a$
Thus for each $b \in \R$ there exists at least one ordered pair $\tuple {a, b}$ such that $b = \map f a$.
That is, there exists at least one point on $y = b$ which is also on the graph of $f$.
The result follows.
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- 1975: T.S. Blyth: Set Theory and Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 5$. Induced mappings; composition; injections; surjections; bijections: Exercise $6 \ \text {(a)}$