Equivalence Relation Homework: Proving Transitivity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves proving the transitivity of a relation R defined on the Cartesian product of natural numbers, specifically given by the condition (a,b)R(c,d) iff ad(b+c) = bc(a+d). Participants are exploring the properties of this relation in the context of equivalence relations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant discusses their attempts to prove transitivity, noting their progress with reflexivity and symmetry but expressing difficulty with transitivity. They present their algebraic manipulations and seek guidance on how to proceed from a certain point.
  • Other participants suggest rearranging the relation into a functional form and inquire about the implications of such rearrangements.
  • There are repeated requests for clarification on how to manipulate the equations involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants actively engaging in algebraic manipulation and exploring different approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding rearranging the relation, but there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or a resolution to the transitivity proof.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of proving properties of an equivalence relation, specifically focusing on transitivity, and are navigating through algebraic complexities without complete information on the implications of their manipulations.

Suraj M
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Homework Statement


If a relation R on N × N is
(a,b)R(c,d) iff
ad(b+c) = bc(a+d)

Homework Equations


--

The Attempt at a Solution


I got the reflexive and symmetric parts but not the transitive part...
here's what i have
## (a,b)(c,d)∈R and (c,d)(e,f)∈R##
To prove ##(a,b)(e,f) ∈ R## .i.e., ##af(b+e)= be(a+f)##
i have
$$ad(b+c) = bc(a+d)$$and$$de(c+f) = cf(d+e)$$
my attempt was...
multiplying we get $$afcd(b+c)(d+e) = becd(c+f)(a+d)$$
$$af(b+c)(d+e) = be(c+f)(a+d)$$
by cancelling ##afbe## on both sides i get
$$af(bd+cd+ce) = be(ac+cd+fd)$$
stuck here :(
is this a wrong method, if not how do i proceed??,
Thank you
 
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what to proove
 
See if you can rearrange R into the form f(a,b) = f(c,d) for some function f.
 
MK5 said:
what to proove
Suraj M said:
To prove (a,b)(e,f)∈R(a,b)(e,f) ∈ R .i.e., af(b+e)=be(a+f)af(b+e)= be(a+f)
 
haruspex said:
See if you can rearrange R into the form f(a,b) = f(c,d) for some function f.
Im sorry, but could you please tell me how i could do that?
 
Suraj M said:
Im sorry, but could you please tell me how i could do that?

Do some algebra. If ##(a,b)R(x,y)## then ##ay(b+x)=bx(a+y)##. Try to rearrange that equation so ##x## and ##y## are on one side and ##a## and ##b## are on the other.
 
Il get ##ab(x-y)=xy(a-b)##
How will that help..?
 
Oh brilliant!
Got it thanks!
All of you thank you..
 

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