Comparing Relations: Symmetry, Antisymmetry, and Transitivity

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The discussion focuses on proving properties of the composition of relations S and R on a set A. It addresses the conditions under which the composition S o R is symmetric, antisymmetric, or transitive. The initial approach suggests demonstrating that if both relations are symmetric, then their composition is also symmetric. Additionally, it explores the implications of antisymmetry, indicating that the composition of two antisymmetric relations is not symmetric. The conversation emphasizes the logical structure needed to validate these properties through formal proofs.
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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

\forall a,b \in A : aRb \rightarrow bRa and \forall a,b \in A : aSb \rightarrow bSa then show that when combined into a single statement it is valid, right?
 
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Yes, you're on the good track.
So take a(SoR)b. You'll have to prove that b(RoS)a.
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
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