Question

The real valued function \( f: \mathbb{R} \to \left[ \frac{5}{2}, \infty \right) \) defined by \( f(x) = \left| 2x + 1 \right| + \left| x - 2 \right| \) is:

• A. One-one function but not onto
• B. Onto function but not one-one
• C. Bijection
• D. Neither one-one function nor onto

Hint:

For functions involving absolute values, consider the symmetry and intervals created by the absolute value expressions when analyzing one-to-one and onto properties. Additionally, visualize the behavior of the function on different intervals to check its injectivity and surjectivity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

We are given the function \[ f(x) = \left| 2x + 1 \right| + \left| x - 2 \right|. \]

Step 1: Checking if the function is one-one A function is one-one (injective) if distinct values of \(x\) produce distinct values of \(f(x)\). 
The function involves absolute value terms, and for certain intervals of \(x\), the absolute values might produce the same value for different \(x\)'s. For example:
- If \(x = 0\), \( f(0) = \left| 2(0) + 1 \right| + \left| 0 - 2 \right| = 1 + 2 = 3 \)
- If \(x = 1\), \( f(1) = \left| 2(1) + 1 \right| + \left| 1 - 2 \right| = 3 + 1 = 4 \)
- However, values for different \(x\)'s could also repeat based on symmetry in the absolute terms, which shows that the function is not one-one. 

Step 2: Checking if the function is onto A function is onto (surjective) if every value in the target set (the range) is the output of some input in the domain.
Here, we are given that the range of \(f(x)\) is \( \left[ \frac{5}{2}, \infty \right) \).
By testing extreme values and considering the nature of the absolute values, we can see that \(f(x)\) can take any value greater than or equal to \( \frac{5}{2} \), so the function is onto. 
Thus, the function is onto but not one-one.