Types of Relations

Given below is a list of different types of relations:

  1. Empty Relation
  2. Universal Relation
  3. Identity Relation
  4. Inverse Relation
  5. Reflexive Relation
  6. Symmetric Relation
  7. Transitive Relation
  8. Equivalence Relation

1) Empty Relation - A relation is an empty relation if it has no elements, that is, no element of set A is mapped or linked to any element of A. It is denoted by R = .

For example, if set A = {1, 2, 3} then, one of the void relations can be R = {x, y} where, |x – y| = 8. For empty relation,

R = φ A × A

2) Universal Relation - A relation R in a set A is a universal relation if each element of A is related to every element of A, i.e., R = A × A. It is called the full relation.

Consider set A = {a, b, c}. Now one of the universal relations will be R = {x, y} where, |x – y| ≥ 0. For universal relation,

R = A × A

3) Identity Relation - A relation R on A is said to be an identity relation if each element of A is related to itself, that is, R = {(a, a) : for all a A}

 For example, in a set A = {a, b, c}, the identity relation will be I = {a, a}, {b, b}, {c, c}. For identity relation,

I = {(a, a), a A}

4) Inverse Relation - Define R to be a relation from set P to set Q i.e., R P × Q. The relation R-1 is said to be an Inverse relation if R-1 from set Q to P is denoted by R-1 = {(q, p): (p, q) R}.

For example if set A = {(a, b), (c, d)}, then inverse relation will be R-1 = {(b, a), (d, c)}. So, for an inverse relation,

R-1 = {(b, a): (a, b) R}

5) Reflexive Relation - A binary relation R defined on a set A is said to be reflexive if, for every element a A, we have aRa, that is, (a, a) R.

For example, consider a set A = {1, 2,}. Now an example of reflexive relation will be R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 2), (2, 1)}. The reflexive relation is given by-

(a, a) R

6) Symmetric Relation - A binary relation R defined on a set A is said to be symmetric if and only if, for elements a, b A, we have aRb, that is, (a, b) R, then we must have bRa, that is, (b, a) R.

 An example of symmetric relation will be R = {(1, 2), (2, 1)} for a set A = {1, 2}. So, for a symmetric relation,

aRb bRa, a, b A

Example: For the set P={a,b}, the relation R={(a,b),(b,a)} is called symmetric relation, where a,bP.

7) Transitive Relation - A relation R is transitive if and only if (a, b) R and (b, c) R (a, c) R for a, b, c A

Example: For the set A ={a,b,c}, the relation R={(a,b),(b,c),(a,c)} is called transitive relation, where a,b,c A.

8) Equivalence Relation - A relation R defined on a set A is said to be an equivalence relation if and only if it is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Conditions:

1. If the relation (R) is reflexive, then all the elements of set A are mapped with itself, such that for every x A , then (x,x)R.

2. The relation (R) is symmetric on set A, if (x,y)R, then (y,x)R, such that a,b A.

3. The relation R on set A, if (x,y)R and (y,z)R, then (x,z)R, for all a,b,c A is called transitive relation.

Example: Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and R = {(1, 1), (1, 3), (2, 2), (2, 4), (3, 1), (3, 3), (4, 2), (4, 4)}.

Show that R is an Equivalence Relation.

Solution:

Reflexive: Relation R is reflexive as (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3) and (4, 4) R.

Symmetric: Relation R is symmetric because whenever (a, b) R, (b, a) also belongs to R.

Example: (2, 4) R (4, 2) R.

Transitive: Relation R is transitive because whenever (a, b) and (b, c) belongs to R, (a, c) also belongs to R.

Example: (3, 1) R and (1, 3) R (3, 3) R.

So, as R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive, hence, R is an Equivalence Relation.

Question 1:

Let us assume that F is a relation on the set R real numbers defined by x F y if and only if x-y is an integer. Prove that F is an equivalence relation on R.

Solution:

Reflexive: Let  x belongs to R,then x – x = 0 which is an integer.

Therefore x F x.

So , F is reflexive.

Symmetric: Let  x and y belongs to R and x F y.

  •  x – y is an integer.
  • Thus, y – x = – ( x – y), y – x is also an integer.
  •  Therefore yFx.

So , F is Symmetric.

Transitive: Let x and y belongs to R, xFy and yFz.

  •  x-y and y-z are integers.
  •  ( x – y ) + ( y – z ) = x – z is also an integer.
  • So that xFz.

So , F is Transitive.

Thus, R is an equivalence relation on R.

Question 2:

Show that the relation R is an equivalence relation in the set A = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 } given by the relation R = { (a, b):|a-b| is even }.

Solution:

R = { (a, b):|a-b| is even }. Where a, b belongs to A

Reflexive Property :

Let a is belongs to A.

|a – a| = | 0 |=0

  •  0 is always even.
  • Thus, |a-a| is even
  • Therefore, (a, a) belongs to R

Hence R is Reflexive

Symmetric Property :

Let  a, b belongs to A

|a – b| = |b – a|

Let a R b

We know that |a – b| = |-(b – a)|= |b – a|

  •  |a – b| is even,
  • |b – a| is also even.

Therefore, if (a, b) R, then (b, a) belongs to R

Hence R is symmetric.

Transitive Property :

Let a, b, c  belongs to A

Let a R b and b R c

  • |b-c| is even and (b-c) is even

Since , If |a-b| is even, then (a-b) is even.

Sum of even number is also even

  •  a-b+ b-c is even
  • a – c is also even

Then, a R c

So,

|a – b| and |b – c| is even , then |a-c| is even.

Therefore, if (a, b) R and (b, c) R, then (a, c) also belongs to R

Hence R is transitive.

Therefore R is an equivalence relation.

Equivalence Class

Let R be an equivalence relation on set A.  For each aA, we denote the equivalence class of a as [a] defined as:

                       [a]={x A x R a}                                          

Example:

Define a relation  on Z by

aba mod 4=b mod 4

                              Find the equivalence classes of 

Answer

Two integers will be related by  if they have the same remainder after dividing

by 4.  The possible remainders are 0, 1, 2, 3

 

[0]={...,−12,−8,−4,0,4,8,12,...}

[1]={...,−11,−7,−3,1,5,9,13,...}

[2]={...,−10,−6,−2,2,6,10,14,...}

[3]={...,−9,−5,−1,3,7,11,15,...}

Example:

Let S=P({1,2,3})={,{1},{2},{3},{1,2},{1,3},{2,3},{1,2,3}}.

For convenience, label

 

S0=,S1={1},S2={2},S3={3},S4={1,2},S5={1,3},S6={2,3},S7={1,2,3}.

Define this equivalence relation  on S by

SiSj|Si|=|Sj|

 

Find the equivalence classes of .

Answer

Two sets will be related by  if they have the same number of elements.  

[S0]={S0}

[S2]={S1,S2,S3}

[S4]={S4,S5,S6}

[S7]={S7}

Example:

Consider set S={a,b,c,d} with this partition: {{a,b},{c},{d}}.

Find the ordered pairs for the relation R, induced by the partition.

Proof

R={(a,a),(a,b),(b,a),(b,b),(c,c),(d,d)}

Question :

Let R be a relation from N to N defined by R = {(ab): ab  N and a = b2}. Are the following true?

(i) (aa R, for all a  N

(ii) (ab
 R, implies (ba R

(iii) (ab R, (bc R implies (ac R.

Justify your answer in each case.

ANSWER:

R = {(ab): ab  N and a = b2}

(i) It can be seen that 2  N;however, 2 ≠ 22 = 4.

Therefore, the statement “(aa R, for all a  N” is not true.

(ii) It can be seen that (9, 3)  N because 9, 3  N and 9 = 32.

Now, 3 ≠ 92 = 81; therefore, (3, 9)  N

Therefore, the statement “(ab R, implies (ba R” is not true.

(iii) It can be seen that (16, 4)  R, (4, 2)  R because 16, 4, 2  N and 16 = 42 and 4 = 22.

Now, 16 ≠ 22 = 4; therefore, (16, 2)  N

Therefore, the statement “(ab R, (bc R implies (ac R” is not true.

Example 5: Check whether the relation R defined in the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} as R = {(a, b): b = a + 1} is reflexive, symmetric or transitive.

 

Solution:

Given R = {(a, b): b = a + 1}

Now for this relation we have to check whether it is reflexive, transitive and symmetric Reflexivity:

Let a be an arbitrary element of R.

Then, a = a + 1 cannot be true for all a  A.

 (a, a)  R

So, R is not reflexive on A.

Symmetry:

Let (a, b)  R

 b = a + 1

 −a = −b + 1

 a = b − 1

Thus, (b, a)  R

So, R is not symmetric on A.

Transitivity:

 

Let (1, 2) and (2, 3)  R

 2 = 1 + 1 and 3

2 + 1  is true.

But 3 ≠ 1+1

 (1, 3)  R

So, R is not transitive on A.

Example 6:  Check whether the relation R on R defined as R = {(ab): a ≤ b3} is reflexive, symmetric or transitive.

Solution:

Given R = {(ab): ≤ b3}

It is observed that (1/2, 1/2) in R as 1/2 > (1/2)3 = 1/8

R is not reflexive.

Now,

(1, 2) R (as 1 < 23 = 8)

But,

(2, 1) R (as 2 > 13 = 1)

R is not symmetric.

We have (3, 3/2), (3/2, 6/5) in “R as” 3 < (3/2)3 and 3/2 < (6/5)3

But (3, 6/5)  R as 3 > (6/5)3

R is not transitive.

Hence, R is neither reflexive, nor symmetric, nor transitive.

Example 7: Prove that every identity relation on a set is reflexive, but the converse is not necessarily true.

Solution:

Let A be a set.

Then, Identity relation IA=IA is reflexive, since (a, a)  A a

The converse of it need not be necessarily true.

Consider the set A = {1, 2, 3}

Here,

Relation R = {(1, 1), (2, 2) , (3, 3), (2, 1), (1, 3)} is reflexive on A.

However, R is not an identity relation.

 

Example 8: If A = {1, 2, 3, 4} define relations on A which have properties of being

(i) Reflexive, transitive but not symmetric

(ii) Symmetric but neither reflexive nor transitive.

(iii) Reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Solution:

(i) The relation on A having properties of being reflexive, transitive, but not symmetric is

R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (2, 1)}

Relation R satisfies reflexivity and transitivity.

(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)  R

And (1, 1), (2, 1)  R  (1, 1)  R

However, (2, 1)  R, but (1, 2)  R

(ii)  The relation on A having properties of being reflexive, transitive, but not symmetric is

R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (2, 1)}

Relation R satisfies reflexivity and transitivity.

(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)  R

And (1, 1), (2, 1)  R  (1, 1) ∈ R

However, (2, 1) ∈ R, but (1, 2) ∉ R

(iii) The relation on A having properties of being symmetric, reflexive and transitive is

R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (1, 2), (2, 1)}

The relation R is an equivalence relation on A.

 

Example 9:. Show that the relation R defined by R = {(a, b): a – b is divisible by 3; a, b ∈ Z} is an equivalence relation.

Solution:

Given R = {(a, b): a – b is divisible by 3; a, b ∈ Z} is a relation

To prove equivalence relation it is necessary that the given relation should be reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Let us check these properties on R.

Reflexivity:

Let a be an arbitrary element of R.

 

Then, a – a = 0 = 0 × 3

⇒ a − a is divisible by 3

⇒ (a, a) ∈ R for all a ∈ Z

So, R is reflexive on Z.

Symmetry:

Let (a, b) ∈ R

⇒ a − b is divisible by 3

⇒ a − b = 3p for some p ∈ Z

⇒ b − a = 3 (−p)

Here, −p ∈ Z

⇒ b − a is divisible by 3

⇒ (b, a) ∈ R for all a, b ∈ Z

So, R is symmetric on Z.

Transitivity:

Let (a, b) and (b, c) ∈ R

⇒ a − b and b − c are divisible by 3

⇒ a – b = 3p for some p ∈ Z

And b − c = 3q for some q ∈ Z

Adding the above two equations, we get

a − b + b – c = 3p + 3q

⇒ a − c = 3 (p + q)

Here, p + q ∈ Z

⇒ a − c is divisible by 3

⇒ (a, c) ∈ R for all a, c ∈ Z

So, R is transitive on Z.

Therefore R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Hence, R is an equivalence relation on Z.

Example 10: Show that the relation R on the set Z of integers, given by
R = {(a, b): 2 divides a – b}, is an equivalence relation.

Solution:

Given R = {(a, b): 2 divides a – b} is a relation defined on Z.

To prove equivalence relation it is necessary that the given relation should be reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Let us check these properties on R.

Reflexivity:

Let a be an arbitrary element of the set Z.

Then, a ∈ R

⇒ a − a = 0 = 0 × 2

⇒ 2 divides a − a

⇒ (a, a) ∈ R for all a ∈ Z

So, R is reflexive on Z.

Symmetry:

Let (a, b) ∈ R

⇒ 2 divides a − b

⇒ (a-b)/2 = p for some p ∈ Z

⇒ (b-a)/2 = – p

Here, −p ∈ Z

⇒ 2 divides b − a

⇒ (b, a) ∈ R for all a, b ∈ Z

So, R is symmetric on Z

Transitivity:

Let (a, b) and (b, c) ∈ R

⇒ 2 divides a−b and 2 divides b−c

⇒ (a-b)/2 = p and (b-c)/2 = q for some p, q ∈ Z

Adding the above two equations, we get

(a – b)/2 + (b – c)/2 = p + q

⇒ (a – c)/2 = p +q

Here, p+ q ∈ Z

⇒ 2 divides a − c

⇒ (a, c) ∈ R for all a, c ∈ Z

So, R is transitive on Z.

Therefore R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Hence, R is an equivalence relation on Z.

Example 11:. Prove that the relation R on Z defined by (a, b) ∈ R ⇔ a − b is divisible by 5 is an equivalence relation on Z.

Solution:

Given relation R on Z defined by (a, b) ∈ R ⇔ a − b is divisible by 5

To prove equivalence relation it is necessary that the given relation should be reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Let us check these properties on R.

Reflexivity:

Let a be an arbitrary element of R. Then,

⇒ a − a = 0 = 0 × 5

⇒ a − a is divisible by 5

⇒ (a, a) ∈ R for all a ∈ Z

So, R is reflexive on Z.

Symmetry:

Let (a, b) ∈ R

⇒ a − b is divisible by 5

⇒ a − b = 5p for some p ∈ Z

⇒ b − a = 5 (−p)

Here, −p ∈ Z                      [Since p ∈ Z]

⇒ b − a is divisible by 5

⇒ (b, a) ∈ R for all a, b ∈ Z

So, R is symmetric on Z.

Transitivity:

Let (a, b) and (b, c) ∈ R

⇒ a − b is divisible by 5

⇒ a − b = 5p for some Z

Also, b − c is divisible by 5

⇒ b − c = 5q for some Z

Adding the above two equations, we get

a −b + b − c = 5p + 5q

⇒ a − c = 5 ( p + q )

⇒ a − c is divisible by 5

Here, p + q ∈ Z

⇒ (a, c) ∈ R for all a, c ∈ Z

So, R is transitive on Z.

Therefore R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Hence, R is an equivalence relation on Z.

Example 12:. Let n be a fixed positive integer. Define a relation R on Z as follows:
(a, b) ∈ R ⇔ a − b is divisible by n.
Show that R is an equivalence relation on Z.

Solution:

Given (a, b) ∈ R ⇔ a − b is divisible by n is a relation R defined on Z.

To prove equivalence relation it is necessary that the given relation should be reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Let us check these properties on R.

Reflexivity:

Let a ∈ N

Here, a − a = 0 = 0 × n

⇒ a − a is divisible by n

⇒ (a, a) ∈ R

⇒ (a, a) ∈ R for all a ∈ Z

So, R is reflexive on Z.

Symmetry:

Let (a, b) ∈ R

Here, a − b is divisible by n

⇒ a − b = n p for some p ∈ Z

⇒ b − a = n (−p)

⇒ b − a is divisible by n                     [ p ∈ Z⇒ − p ∈ Z]

⇒ (b, a) ∈ R

So, R is symmetric on Z.

Transitivity:

Let (a, b) and (b, c) ∈ R

Here, a − b is divisible by n and b − c is divisible by n.

⇒ a − b= n p for some p ∈ Z

And b−c = n q for some q ∈ Z

a – b + b − c = n p + n q

⇒ a − c = n (p + q)

⇒ (a, c) ∈ R for all a, c ∈ Z

So, R is transitive on Z.

Therefore R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

Hence, R is an equivalence relation on Z.