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eiselea
Feb20-08, 10:45 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Let S be the set of integers. If a,b\in S, define aRb if ab\geq0. Is R an equivalence relation on S?

2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

Def: aRb=bRa \rightarrow ab=ba
assume that aRb and bRc \Rightarrow aRc
a=b and b=c
since a=b, the substitute a in for b to get a=c


I don't know where to go from here.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

quasar987
Feb20-08, 11:45 AM
You must check 3 things:

1) That aRa (reflexivity)
2) That aRb implies bRa (symetry)
3) That aRb and bRc implies aRc (transitivity)

eiselea
Feb20-08, 02:17 PM
So what I have done so far answers the first part of the question?

quasar987
Feb20-08, 03:04 PM
But you haven't explained anything.

1) Why does aRa for every integer a??