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Glite Dictionary
surjective

surjective

9.9
A function where every output value comes from at least one input
  • adjective
  • /sɜrˈdʒɛktɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sobreyectiva
  • To determine if the function is surjective, we need to check that all possible outputs are achieved by some input.

Examples

  • We're going to use the definition to do some proofs to prove that functions are surjective or onto.

  • OK, now we have to show that it's surjective, that it's on to.

  • In mathematics, a function is called surjective if every element in the output set corresponds to at least one element from the input set.

  • A function can be classified as surjective when it covers the entire target set, meaning every element is mapped from the domain.

Synonyms

onto
vssurjective
  • Specialized
9.0

A function where every result comes from some input

is the formal adjective used in mathematical definitions for that property

Compounds

surjective function
  • Specialized
9.9

A rule that gives every output value at least one input value

Surface Forms

surjective positive

Morphology

surjective = surject (opaque) = sur + ject + ive

Formed from the combining elements 'sur-' + 'ject' + '-ive', which are non‑productive and mathematically specialized, so the meaning is not recoverable for average learners from the parts.

Etymology

Surjective comes from two parts: sur- meaning 'over' and -ject meaning 'throw', the same root you see in project and inject. So a surjective function is like 'throwing' values 'over' the whole target set so that every item in the target is reached by at least one source value.