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Equivalence Relation on Set

Equivalence relation on set is a relation which is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

A relation R, defined in a set A, is said to be an equivalence relation if and only if

(i) R is reflexive, that is, aRa for all a ∈ A.

(ii) R is symmetric, that is, aRb ⇒ bRa for all a, b ∈ A.

(iii) R is transitive, that is aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc for all a, b, c ∈ A.

The relation defined by “x is equal to y” in the set A of real numbers is an equivalence relation.


Let A be a set of triangles in a plane. The relation R is defined as “x is similar to y, x, y ∈ A”.

We see that R is;

(i) Reflexive, for, every triangle is similar to itself.

(ii) Symmetric, for, if x be similar to y, then y is also similar to x.

(iii) Transitive, for, if x be similar to y and y be similar to z, then x is also similar to z.

Hence R is an equivalence relation.

A relation R in a set S is called a partial order relation if it satisfies the following conditions:

(i) aRa for all a∈ A, [Reflexivity]

(ii) aRb and bRa ⇒ a = b, [Anti-symmetry]

(iii) aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc, [Transitivity]

In the set of natural numbers, the relation R defined by “aRb if a divides b” is a partial order relation, since here R is reflexive, anti-symmetric and transitive.

A set, in which a partial order relation is defined, is called a partially ordered set or a poset.


Solved example on equivalence relation on set:

1. A relation R is defined on the set Z by “a R b if a – b is divisible by 5” for a, b ∈ Z. Examine if R is an equivalence relation on Z.

Solution:

(i) Let a ∈ Z. Then a – a is divisible by 5. Therefore aRa holds for all a in Z and R is reflexive.

(ii) Let a, b ∈ Z and aRb hold. Then a – b is divisible by 5 and therefore b – a is divisible by 5.

Thus, aRb ⇒ bRa and therefore R is symmetric.

(iii) Let a, b, c ∈ Z and aRb, bRc both hold. Then a – b and b – c are both divisible by 5.

Therefore a – c = (a – b) + (b – c) is divisible by 5.

Thus, aRb and bRc  ⇒ aRc and therefore R is transitive.

Since R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive so, R is an equivalence relation on Z.

2. Let m e a positive integer. A relation R is defined on the set Z by “aRb if and only if a – b is divisible by m” for a, b ∈ Z. Show that R is an equivalence relation on set Z.

Solution:

(i) Let a ∈ Z. Then a – a = 0, which is divisible by m

Therefore, aRa holds for all a ∈ Z.

Hence, R is reflexive.

(ii) Let a, b ∈ Z and aRb holds. Then a – b is divisible by m and therefore, b – a is also divisible by m.

Thus, aRb ⇒ bRa.

Hence, R is symmetric.

(iii) Let a, b, c ∈ Z and aRb, bRc both hold. Then a – b is divisible by m and b – c is also divisible by m. Therefore, a – c = (a – b) + (b – c) is divisible by m.

Thus,  aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc

Therefore, R is transitive.

Since, R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive so, R is an equivalence relation on set Z


3. Let S be the set of all lines in 3 dimensional space. A relation ρ is defined on S by “lρm if and only if l lies on the plane of m” for l, m ∈ S.

Examine if ρ is (i) reflexive, (ii) symmetric, (iii) transitive

Solution:

(i) Reflexive: Let l ∈ S. Then l is coplanar with itself.

Therefore, lρl holds for all l in S.

Hence, ρ is reflexive

(ii)  Symmetric: Let l, m ∈ S and lρm holds. Then l lies on the plane of m.

Therefore, m lies on the plane of l. Thus, lρm ⇒  mρl and therefore ρ is symmetric.

(iii) Transitive: Let l, m, p ∈ S and lρm, mρp both hold. Then l lies on the plane of m and m lies on the plane of p. This does not always implies that l lies on the plane of p.

That is, lρm and mρp do not necessarily imply lρp.

Therefore, ρ is not transitive.

Since, R is reflexive and symmetric but not transitive so, R is not an equivalence relation on set Z

Set Theory

Sets

Representation of a Set

Types of Sets

Pairs of Sets

Subset

Practice Test on Sets and Subsets

Complement of a Set

Problems on Operation on Sets

Operations on Sets

Practice Test on Operations on Sets

Word Problems on Sets

Venn Diagrams

Venn Diagrams in Different Situations

Relationship in Sets using Venn Diagram

Examples on Venn Diagram

Practice Test on Venn Diagrams

Cardinal Properties of Sets







7th Grade Math Problems

8th Grade Math Practice

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