Mapping is Extension iff Composite with Inclusion

Theorem

Let $S$ and $T$ be sets.

Let $A \subseteq S$.

Let $f: S \to T$ and $g: A \to T$ be mappings.

Then $f$ is an extension of $g$ if and only if:

$f = g \circ i_A$

where $i_A$ is the inclusion mapping on $A$.

This can be illustrated using a commutative diagram as follows:

$\begin {xy} \[email protected] + [email protected] + 1em { A \ar[r]^*{i_A} \[email protected]{-->}[rd]_*{f = g \circ i_A} & S \ar[d]^*{g} \\ & T } \end {xy}$

Proof

Necessary Condition

Let $f: S \to T$ be an extension of $g: A \to T$.

Then by definition:

 $\, \displaystyle \forall x \in A: \,$ $\displaystyle \map f x$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map g x$ $\displaystyle$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map g {\map {i_A} x}$ Definition of Inclusion Mapping $\displaystyle$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map {\paren {g \circ i_A} } x$ Definition of Composition of Mappings

That is:

$f = g \circ i_A$

$\Box$

Sufficient Condition

Let $f = g \circ i_A$ where $i_A$ is the inclusion mapping on $A$.

Then:

 $\, \displaystyle \forall x \in A: \,$ $\displaystyle \map f x$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map {\paren {g \circ i_A} } x$ Definition of $f$ $\displaystyle$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map g {\map {i_A} x}$ Definition of Composition of Mappings $\displaystyle$ $=$ $\displaystyle \map g x$ Definition of Inclusion Mapping

So, by definition, $f$ is an extension of $g$.

$\blacksquare$