Contents

Definition

In set theory

In set theory, there are many ways to say that given the relation or correspondence $R$, $R(x, y)$ holds of elements $x \in A$ and $y \in B$. In allegorical set theories like SEAR, it is a foundational concept. In categorical set theories like ETCS with elements, we say that $R(x, y)$ holds of elements $x \in A$ and $y \in B$ if the ordered pair $(x, y)$ is in the image of the function $(p_1, p_2):R \to A \times B$. In material set theories like ZFC, we say that $R(x, y)$ holds of elements $x \in A$ and $y \in B$ if the ordered pair $(x, y)$ is in $R$.

In set theory, a one-to-one correspondence is a relation or correspondence $R$ between sets $A$ and $B$ for which for every element $x \in A$, there is a unique element $y \in B$ such that $R(x, y)$ holds, and for every element $y \in B$, there is a unique element $x \in A$ such that $R(x, y)$ holds. Equivalently, it is an anafunction $R$ between sets $A$ and $B$ such that for every element $y \in B$, there is a unique element $x \in A$ such that $R(x, y)$ holds.

In type theory

In type theory, given types $A$ and $B$, a one-to-one correspondence is a correspondence $x:A, y:B \vdash R(x, y)$ for which for every element $x:A$, the dependent type $\sum_{y:B} R(x, y)$ is a contractible type, and for every element $y:B$, the dependent type $\sum_{x:A} R(x, y)$ is a contractible type. Equivalently, it is an anafunction $x:A, y:B \vdash R(x, y)$ such that for every element $y:B$, the dependent type $\sum_{x:A} R(x, y)$ is a contractible type.

Properties

By the principle of unique choice, given every one-to-one correspondence, there is a bijection $f:A \cong B$. However, in the absence of the principle of unique choice, bijections and one-to-one correspondences are not necessarily the same; this is the same phenomena as the phenomena between functions and anafunctions. However, frequently in material set theories, functions are defined to be anafunctions, and so bijections are similarly defined to be one-to-one correspondences.

Something similar occurs in dependent type theory, where by the principle of unique choice, given every one-to-one correspondence, there is a function with contractible fibers $x:A \vdash f(x):B$, which becomes a bijection in the context of axiom K or uniqueness of identity proofs. However, in contrast to material set theory, in dependent type theory, there is always a distinction between a function $x:A \vdash f(x):B$ and an anafunction $x:A, y:B \vdash R(x, y)$, and so there is always a distinction between a function with contractible fibers and a one-to-one correspondence.