Let X and Y be sets, and write idX:X→X and idY:Y→Y for the identity maps, given by idX(x)=x and idY(y)=y. For maps f:X→Y and g:Y→X let g∘f:X→X be the map with (g∘f)(x)=g(f(x)), and let f∘g:Y→Y be the map with (f∘g)(y)=f(g(y)). The notion bijection is that of the indicated definition.
Then the following hold.
1. (Existence and uniqueness of an inverse) If f:X→Y is a bijection, then there is exactly one map g:Y→X with
g∘f=idXandf∘g=idY.
This map is written f−1.
2. (The inverse is a bijection) If f:X→Y is a bijection, then f−1 is a bijection from Y to X, and (f−1)−1=f.
3. (Two-sided inverses detect bijections) If f:X→Y and g:Y→X satisfy g∘f=idX and f∘g=idY, then f and g are bijections and g=f−1.