Comparing Relations: Symmetry, Antisymmetry, and Transitivity

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In summary, the question asks for proof that the composition of two symmetric relations is also symmetric, antisymmetric, transitive, and not symmetric. The solution involves showing that for any elements a and b in set A, if a is related to b in both R and S, then b is related to a in both R and S when combined into a single statement. The attempt at a solution involves showing that for any elements a and b in set A, if a is related to b in both R and S, then b is related to a in both R and S when combined into a single statement. This process must be repeated for each condition (symmetric, antisymmetric, and transitive) and the final result proves that S
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rooski
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Homework Statement



let A be any set of numbers and let R and S be relations on A.

if S and R are symmetric then show S o R is symmetric.

if S and R are antisymmetric then show S o R is antisymmetric.

if S and R are transitive then show S o R is transitive.

if S and R are antisymmetric then show S o R is not symmetric.

The Attempt at a Solution



For The first question i would do something like

[tex]\forall a,b \in A : aRb \rightarrow bRa[/tex] and [tex]\forall a,b \in A : aSb \rightarrow bSa[/tex] then show that when combined into a single statement it is valid, right?
 
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  • #2
Yes, you're on the good track.
So take a(SoR)b. You'll have to prove that b(RoS)a.
 

1. What is the difference between symmetry and antisymmetry in relations?

Symmetry in relations means that if element A is related to element B, then element B is also related to element A. In other words, the direction of the relation does not matter. On the other hand, antisymmetry means that if element A is related to element B, then element B cannot be related to element A. This means that the direction of the relation does matter.

2. How do you determine if a relation is symmetric or antisymmetric?

To determine if a relation is symmetric, you can check if for every pair of elements (A,B), if A is related to B, then B is also related to A. If this is true for all pairs, then the relation is symmetric. To determine if a relation is antisymmetric, you can check if for every pair of elements (A,B), if A is related to B and B is related to A, then A must be equal to B. If this is true for all pairs, then the relation is antisymmetric.

3. What is an example of a relation that is both symmetric and antisymmetric?

An example of a relation that is both symmetric and antisymmetric is the "equal to" relation. For any two numbers x and y, if x is equal to y, then y is also equal to x. However, if x is equal to y and y is equal to x, then x must be equal to y. This satisfies both the conditions of symmetry and antisymmetry.

4. What is transitivity in relations?

Transitivity in relations means that if element A is related to element B and element B is related to element C, then element A is also related to element C. In other words, if there is a chain of relations between elements, then all elements in that chain are related. This concept is important in understanding the properties of directed graphs.

5. Can a relation be both symmetric and transitive?

Yes, a relation can be both symmetric and transitive. An example of such a relation is the "divides" relation in mathematics. If a number x divides another number y, then y must also divide x. Additionally, if x divides y and y divides z, then x must also divide z. This satisfies both the conditions of symmetry and transitivity.

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