LAB-Activity-No-3 Dt:04-08-20

Purpose: To verify if a relation defined on a set is an equivalence relation.

Conceptual Analysis: A relation R in a set A is said to be an equivalence relation if R is

Reflexive, Symmetric and Transitive.
Reflexive property:If for a relation R on A, ∀ 𝒙Є𝑨, (𝒂, 𝒂)Є𝑹 ,then R is said to possess
reflexive property. And, the relation r is called as a reflexive relation.
Example: let A= { 1,2,3,4,5} and R={{(x,y)/ x, 𝒚Є A ,and x=y }
Clearly, here R= { (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4), (5,5) }
Another example is that T= { x/ x is a set of triangles} and R is defined on T as
R= { (x.y)/ ∀𝒙, 𝒚 Є A, xis similar to y}
Symmetric property: If (a,b) ЄR implies that (b,a) Є R,∀ a,b ЄA, the n the relation
defined on A is called a symmetric relation.
Example; Let N= the set of natural numbers, a relation defined on it is:
R= { (x, y)/ x, y Є N and (x+y)=15} ,obviously here, R is a symmetric relation..
Transitive relation: If for a relation defined on A, (a,b)ЄR, and (b,c) ЄR implies that (a,c)
ЄR , for all a,b,cЄ A, then the relation is said to be transitive.
Example: Let A= {1 ,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10} , and R = { (x,y)/ ∀ x,yЄ A, X≥ Y }
This satisfies the transitive property .so, it is a transitive relation.
So, to verify that a relation is equivalence, we need to establish these three conditions .

Problem: Z is the set integers. A relation R defined on Z is :R= { (a,b)/

(a,b)Є ZxZ and a≡ 𝑏 (mod 2) }. Prove that R is an equivalence relation.
Solution: We know, ∀ aЄ Z ,we get a-a=0, so a≡ a(mod2) .This shows
That (a,a)Є R .Hence the relation R is reflexive.
Now, for any (a,b) Є R implies that a≡ b(mod2) .That means a-b is divisible
2. so, let (a-b) /2 = t, tЄ z . (a-b)/2 = t implies ( b-a) /2 = -(a-b)/2 = -t
And -t Єz , this shows that b≡ a(mod2),So ,(b,a) ЄR. Hence, R is Symmetric .
Again, ∃ a,b,c Є Z, given that (a,b)Є R and (b,c) Є R implies a≡ 𝑏(𝑚𝑜𝑑2)𝑎𝑛𝑑
b≡ 𝑐(𝑚𝑜𝑑2) . So, let us take (a-b)/2= t1 and (b-c)/2 = t2 ,
then now we get (a-c) /2= {(a-b) + (b-c)} /2 = (a-b)/2 + (b-c) /2 = t1 + t 2 ,
where (t1 + t 2 ) Є Z .This shows that a ≡ 𝑐 (𝑚𝑜𝑑 2) ,So, (a,c) Є R.
Hence, R is transitive.
Conclusion: It is concluded that R is an equivalence relation Since, it is Reflexive,
Symmetric as well as Transitive.
Application: validity of Equivalence relation in a set is useful for extension of
Mathematical analysis or deduction.