TITLE: Let $f:\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ be a $C^1$ function. Prove that the restriction is not injective.
QUESTION [6 upvotes]: Let $f:\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ be a $C^1$ function. And let $D$ an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$. Prove that the restriction of $f$ to $D$ is not injective.
Im trying to solve this but i dont know how...
The problem have a hint: Use the inverse theorem applied to an appropiate transformation in $\mathbb{R}^2$.

REPLY [2 votes]: Let $x \in D$, and $\epsilon>0$ such that $B(x,2 \epsilon) \subset D$.
Let $\gamma:[0,1] \to D$ be given by $\gamma(t) = x + \epsilon(\cos(2 \pi t), \sin(2 \pi t))$. We note that $\gamma(0) = \gamma(1)$, the restriction to $[0,1)$ is injective and since $[0,1]$ is compact and connected, $\gamma([0,1])$ is compact and connected.
Since $f$ is continuous, $f \circ \gamma([0,1])$ is also compact and connected, hence an interval. Let $a=\min_t f \circ \gamma(t)$, $b=\max_t f \circ \gamma(t)$. Then $f \circ \gamma([0,1]) = [a,b]$.
If $a=b$, we have $f(\gamma(0)) = f(\gamma(\frac{1}{2}))$, and since $\gamma(0)) \ne \gamma(\frac{1}{2})$, we see that $f$ is not injective.
Suppose $a<b$, then for some $t_b$ we have $b=f(\gamma(t_b)) $. Re-parametrize the curve $\gamma$ as $\eta(t) = \gamma((t+t_b) \mod 1)$, and note that $\eta$ is continuous and restriction to $[0,1)$ is injective.
Then we have $b=f(\eta(0))= f(\eta(1)$. Let $t^*$ be such that $a=f(\eta(t^*))$.
Then let $c= \frac{1}{2}(a+b)$, then by the intermediate value theorem, there exists some $t_1 \in (0,t^*)$ and $t_2 \in (t^*,1)$ such that $f(\eta(t_1)) = f(\eta(t_2)) = c$. Since $\eta(t_1) \ne \eta(t_2)$, we see that $f$ is not injective.