Do we have to show that the relation is irreflexive?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of strict orders and their relationship with reflexive and irreflexive relations. Specifically, it establishes that if \( R \) is an order on set \( A \), then the derived strict order \( S \) defined as \( S = R - I_A \) is transitive but raises the question of whether \( S \) must also be irreflexive. Participants clarify that demonstrating \( S \) is not weak antisymmetric does not inherently prove irreflexivity, emphasizing the need for explicit proof of \( S \)'s irreflexive nature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of strict orders and their definitions
  • Familiarity with reflexive and irreflexive relations
  • Knowledge of transitive relations and their properties
  • Basic set theory and notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of strict orders in detail
  • Learn about reflexive, irreflexive, and antisymmetric relations
  • Explore examples of transitive relations and their subsets
  • Investigate the implications of removing reflexive pairs from relations
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of abstract algebra, and anyone studying order theory will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the nuances of relational properties.

evinda
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Hello! (Smile)

  • Let $R$ be an order of the set $A$. Then $R$ induces a strict order $S$ at the set $A$.
    $$$$
  • Let $S$ be a strict order of the set $A$. Then $S$ induces an order $R$ at the set $A$.

The first sentence is proven like that in my notes:

We define $S:=R-I_A$ and we can see that $S$ is a strict order at $A$.

$$x \in A\\y \in A$$

$$xSy \leftrightarrow \langle x,y \rangle \in S=R-I_A\\ \langle x,y \rangle \in R \wedge \langle x,y \rangle \notin I_A$$

We want to show that $\langle y,x \rangle \notin S$.
If not then $\langle y,x \rangle \in S \wedge \langle y,x \rangle \in I_A \leftrightarrow \langle x,x \rangle \notin I_A$.In that way we have shown that $S$ isn't weak antisymmetric.
But don't we also have to show that $S$ is irreflexive?
We know that $S$ is transitive as a subset of a transitive relation, right? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
We define $S:=R-I_A$ and we can see want to show that $S$ is a strict order at $A$.

evinda said:
$$x \in A\\y \in A$$
For all $x,y$? For some $x,y$? Which ones? Please use words.

evinda said:
$$xSy \leftrightarrow \langle x,y \rangle \in S=R-I_A\\ \langle x,y \rangle \in R \wedge \langle x,y \rangle \notin I_A$$
OK, I am being picky, but what is the relationship of the second line to the first?

evinda said:
We want to show that $\langle y,x \rangle \notin S$.
Why do we want to show that?

evinda said:
If not then $\langle y,x \rangle \in S \wedge \langle y,x \rangle \in I_A \leftrightarrow \langle x,x \rangle \notin I_A$.
There are too many ways to parse this.

(1) $\langle y,x \rangle \in S$, and also $\langle y,x \rangle \in I_A$ is equivalent to $\langle x,x \rangle \notin I_A$ (but both sides of the equivalence may be false).

(2) $\langle y,x \rangle \in S$ and $\langle y,x \rangle \in I_A$ are together equivalent to $\langle x,x \rangle \notin I_A$ (but both sides may be false).

(3) We have $\langle y,x \rangle \in S$ and $\langle y,x \rangle \in I_A$, and since these statements together are equivalent to $\langle x,x \rangle \notin I_A$, we have the latter.

There are possibly other ways. Please stop abbreviating the flow of reasoning with arrows. This is not helping. Please write words.

evinda said:
In that way we have shown that $S$ isn't weak antisymmetric.
I am not familiar with this concept.

evinda said:
But don't we also have to show that $S$ is irreflexive?
Yes.

evinda said:
We know that $S$ is transitive as a subset of a transitive relation, right?
Not every subset of a transitive relation is transitive.
 

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