TITLE: Showing a linear map is injective if and only if kernel is {$ {0} $}
QUESTION [13 upvotes]: So my prof gave me this proof:
$f(x) = f(y) ⇐⇒ f(y − x) = 0 ⇐⇒ y − x ∈ Ker f.$
I dont see why this proof is enough, this only says $y-x \in Ker f$

REPLY [47 votes]: First suppose $f$ is injective.

Since $f$ is linear, $f(0) = 0$, hence $0 \in \text{ker}(f)$.

But if $x$ is any element of $\text{ker}(f)$, then
\begin{align*}
&x \in \text{ker}(f)&&\\[4pt]
\implies\; &f(x) = 0&&\\[4pt]
\implies\; &f(x) = f(0)&&\text{[since $f(0) = 0$]}\\[4pt]
\implies\; &x = 0&&\text{[since $f$ is injective]}\\[4pt]
\end{align*}
It follows that $\text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$.
Thus, $f$ injective implies $\text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$.
Next, suppose $\text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$. Then
\begin{align*}
&f(x)=f(y)&&\\[4pt]
\implies\; &f(x)-f(y) = 0&&\\[4pt]
\implies\; &f(x-y) = 0&&\text{[since $f$ is linear]}\\[4pt]
\implies\; &x-y \in  \text{ker}(f)&&\\[4pt]
\implies\; &x-y = 0&&\text{[since $\text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$]}\\[4pt]
\implies\; &x=y&&\\[4pt]
\end{align*}
hence $f$ is injective.

Thus, $\text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$ implies $f$ is injective.

Hence, $f$ is injective $\iff \text{ker}(f) = \{0\}$, as was to be shown.