Understanding Equivalence Classes in Integer Sets

In summary, the equivalence class for a set A with an equivalence relation ~ is defined as the set of all elements in A that are equivalent to a given element a. In the case of the set of all integers, S, with the equivalence relation ~ defined as a~b if a-b is an even integer, there are two distinct equivalence classes: the set of all even numbers and the set of all odd numbers. This is because any two even numbers are equivalent and any two odd numbers are equivalent, but an odd number is not equivalent to an even number.
  • #1
annoymage
362
0

Homework Statement



Definition: If A is a set and if ~ is an equivalence relation on A, then the equivalence class of a[tex]\in[/tex]A is the set {x[tex]\in[/tex]A l a~x}. We write it as cl(a)Let S be the set of all integer. Given a,b [tex]\in[/tex] S, define a~b if a-b is an even integer.

so, the equivalent class of a consist of all integer of the form a+2m, m are rational number.

and can someone explain why only cl(0) and cl(1) is the distinctive equivalence classes?

is cl(1) simply means {x[tex]\in[/tex]A l 1~x}??
 
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  • #2
annoymage said:
so, the equivalent class of a consist of all integer of the form a+2m, m are rational number.

You mean, where m is an integer, I assume?

annoymage said:
and can someone explain why cl(0) and cl(1) is the distinctive equivalence classes?

Use the definition and calculate cl(0) and cl(1).
 
  • #3
By the way, for any equivalence relation, x ~ y if and only if cl(x) = cl(y). Is 0 - 1 an even integer?
 
  • #4
radou said:
You mean, where m is an integer, I assume?

yes, integer, :biggrin:
radou said:
Use the definition and calculate cl(0) and cl(1).

i still confused with what exactly is cl(0) or cl(1)

is cl(1)= {x[tex]\in[/tex]S l 1~x}= 1+2m , m is integer??

if it is, why not cl(2)? because it's equivalent relation with "even number" too :confused:
 
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  • #5
Write down cl(2), slowly, using your definitions. Then write down cl(0). Is 0 ~ 2? In general, any two equivalence classes are either the same or they are disjoint. In your case, you have two equivalence classes (disjoint) whose union is the set of integers.
 
  • #6
Given a an equivalence relation, ~, on a set S, the equivalence class, cl(a), is the set of all objects, x, in S such that x~ a. That is, it is the set of all things in S equivalent to a.

To find equivalence classes, first you need to understand the equivalence relation!

Here, the equivalence relation is "a~ b if and only if a-b is an even integer.

It shouldn't take too much to see that if a and b are "of the same parity" (either both even or both odd) then a- b is even:
If a and b are both even then we can write a= 2m, b= 2n so that a- b= 2m- 2n= 2(m-n) and so is even.
If a and b are both odd then we can write a= 2m+1, b= 2n+ 1 so that a- b= (2m+1)- (2n+1)= 2m- 2n= 2(m- n) which again is even.

If is only if one of a, b is even and the other odd that a and b are NOT even:
If a is even and b odd, then a= 2m and b= 2n+1 so a- b= 2m-(2n+1)= m- 2n- 1= 2(m-n)-1= 2(2m-n-1)+ 1 which is an odd number, not an even number. Similarly, if a is odd and b even, then a= 2m+1, b= 2n so a- b= (2m+1)- 2n= 2(m- n)+ 1, an odd number.

That is, odd numbers are equivalent to all other odd numbers and even numbers are equivalent to all other even numbers. The two equivalence classes are the set of all odd numbers and the set of all even numbers. 1 is in the first of those and 0 is in the second.
 
  • #7
radou said:
Write down cl(2), slowly, using your definitions. Then write down cl(0). Is 0 ~ 2? In general, any two equivalence classes are either the same or they are disjoint. In your case, you have two equivalence classes (disjoint) whose union is the set of integers.

sorry but I'm still moving in circle, and still new with algebra

hmm, you kinda creating me more question than answer

ok, 1 by 1, :biggrin:

"In general, any two equivalence classes are either the same or they are disjoint"

let m be integer

cl(0)=2m={...,-2,0,2,...}
cl(2)=2+2m={...,0,4,6,..}

so this is not disjoint because 0 in the element of cl(0) and cl(2),
and they are not the same either??

thank you for enduring my whine :biggrin:
 
  • #8
HallsofIvy said:
Given a an equivalence relation, ~, on a set S, the equivalence class, cl(a), is the set of all objects, x, in S such that x~ a. That is, it is the set of all things in S equivalent to a.

To find equivalence classes, first you need to understand the equivalence relation!

Here, the equivalence relation is "a~ b if and only if a-b is an even integer.

It shouldn't take too much to see that if a and b are "of the same parity" (either both even or both odd) then a- b is even:
If a and b are both even then we can write a= 2m, b= 2n so that a- b= 2m- 2n= 2(m-n) and so is even.
If a and b are both odd then we can write a= 2m+1, b= 2n+ 1 so that a- b= (2m+1)- (2n+1)= 2m- 2n= 2(m- n) which again is even.

If is only if one of a, b is even and the other odd that a and b are NOT even:
If a is even and b odd, then a= 2m and b= 2n+1 so a- b= 2m-(2n+1)= m- 2n- 1= 2(m-n)-1= 2(2m-n-1)+ 1 which is an odd number, not an even number. Similarly, if a is odd and b even, then a= 2m+1, b= 2n so a- b= (2m+1)- 2n= 2(m- n)+ 1, an odd number.

That is, odd numbers are equivalent to all other odd numbers and even numbers are equivalent to all other even numbers. The two equivalence classes are the set of all odd numbers and the set of all even numbers. 1 is in the first of those and 0 is in the second.

ok maybe i understand, try check my understanding with other question

the equivalence relation is "a~b if a-b is a multiple on n(n>1 be a fixed integer)"

so the equivalence class are set of x~a,

x-a=kn (k in integer) => x=a+kn

so the distinctive equivalence class are cl(0),cl(1),...,cl(n-1)

cl(n)=(k+1)n is simply the same set as cl(0)=kn, so it doesn't count.

suddenly i get all what radou was conveying.

anyway, correct me if i went wrong (time to sleep, see you tomorrow ;P)
 
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  • #9
annoymage said:
ok maybe i understand, try check my understanding with other question

the equivalence relation is "a~b if a-b is a multiple on n(n>1 be a fixed integer)"

so the equivalence class are set of x~a,

x-a=kn (k in integer) => x=a+kn

so the distinctive equivalence class are cl(0),cl(1),...,cl(n-1)

cl(n)=(k+1)n is simply the same set as cl(0)=kn, so it doesn't count.
Yes, and what you get are the "integer modulo n".

suddenly i get all what radou was conveying.

anyway, correct me if i went wrong (time to sleep, see you tomorrow ;P)

Earlier you said
let m be integer

cl(0)=2m={...,-2,0,2,...}
cl(2)=2+2m={...,0,4,6,..}

so this is not disjoint because 0 in the element of cl(0) and cl(2),
and they are not the same either??
No, that's impossible. One of important properties of "equivalence classes" on a set S is that they "partition" S- they divide S into sets such that every member of S is in one and only one such set. If two equivalence classes have any member in common, then they have all members in common- they are the same equivalence class (I am assuming, of course, equivalence classes under the same equivalence relation). That is true because if "a" is in equivalence class C1 and in C2, "b" is in C1, and "c" is in C2, then we have a~ b because they are both in C1, a~ c because they are in they are in C2 and so b= c by the "transitive property" of equivalence relations.
 
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  • #10
HallsofIvy said:
One of important properties of "equivalence classes" on a set S is that they "partition" S- they divide S into sets such that every member of S is in one and only one such set. If two equivalence classes have any member in common, then they have all members in common- they are the same equivalence class (I am assuming, of course, equivalence classes under the same equivalence relation). That is true because if "a" is in equivalence class C1 and in C2, "b" is in C1, and "c" is in C2, then we have a~ b because they are both in C1, a~ c because they are in they are in C2 and so b= c by the "transitive property" of equivalence relations.

you mean b~c right?
 
  • #11
Yes, HallsofIvy meant b ~ c (since a ~ b and a ~ c).
 
  • #12
Yes, thanks.
 

What is an Equivalence Class?

An equivalence class is a set of objects or elements that are considered to be equivalent based on a specific criteria or relationship. This means that any two objects in the same equivalence class are considered to be equal to each other in terms of the specified criteria.

How is an Equivalence Class defined?

An equivalence class is defined by a relation or equivalence relation, which is a mathematical concept that determines whether two elements are equivalent or not. This relation can be defined by a set of rules or properties that must be satisfied for two elements to be considered equivalent.

What is the importance of Equivalence Classes in science?

Equivalence classes are important in science because they allow us to group objects or elements based on their similarities and differences, and to make generalizations and predictions about these groups. They also help us to identify patterns and relationships between different objects or elements.

How are Equivalence Classes used in experiments?

In experiments, equivalence classes are often used to define control and experimental groups. The control group represents the baseline or normal state, while the experimental group is exposed to a specific treatment or condition. By comparing the two groups, scientists can determine the effects of the treatment and make conclusions about cause and effect relationships.

Can Equivalence Classes change over time?

Yes, equivalence classes can change over time. As new information and data are collected, our understanding of the relationships between objects or elements may change, leading to a redefinition or refinement of the equivalence classes. Additionally, external factors or changes in the environment may also affect the equivalence classes.

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