How is a Relation a Subset of an Ordered Pair?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between relations and ordered pairs in the context of set theory, specifically examining how a relation can be understood as a subset of the Cartesian product of two sets. The scope includes theoretical exploration and mathematical reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that a relation is a subset of the Cartesian product of two sets, while others question the interpretation of a relation as a subset of an ordered pair.
  • One participant presents a theorem that defines the unique sets associated with a relation, suggesting that it provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between a relation and the Cartesian product.
  • There is a discussion about the proof of the theorem, particularly how to conclude that a specific element belongs to the union of a relation.
  • Participants explore the implications of the theorem regarding the uniqueness of the range of a relation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of relations and their connection to ordered pairs and Cartesian products. While some points are clarified, the discussion remains unresolved regarding the interpretation of certain aspects of the theorem and its implications.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves complex definitions and theorems from set theory, which may depend on specific interpretations and assumptions that are not fully articulated by all participants.

evinda
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Hey! (Cool)

According to my notes, each relation is a subset of an ordered pair.
How can it be that each relation is a subset of an ordered pair, knowing that a relation is a set of ordered pairs? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
According to my notes, each relation is a subset of an ordered pair.
No, a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$. This product, in turn, is a set of all ordered pairs whose first element comes from $A$ and whose second element comes from $B$.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
No, a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$. This product, in turn, is a set of all ordered pairs whose first element comes from $A$ and whose second element comes from $B$.

There is the following theorem, that proves that a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$:

Let $R$ be a relation.There are unique sets $A,B$, such that:
$$x \in A \leftrightarrow \exists y: xRy \text{ and } y \in B \leftrightarrow \exists x: xRy$$
so:
$$A=\{x: \exists y (xRy) \}, B=\{ y: \exists x (xRy) \}$$

The proof of the theorem starts like that:

Let $<x,y> \in R$. Then:

$$\{ \{ x \}, \{ x,y \} \} \in R \rightarrow \{ x \} \in \bigcup R$$

Could you explain me how we conclude, that $\{ x \} \in \bigcup R$ ? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
There is the following theorem, that proves that a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$:

Let $R$ be a relation.There are unique sets $A,B$, such that:
$$x \in A \leftrightarrow \exists y: xRy \text{ and } y \in B \leftrightarrow \exists x: xRy$$
so:
$$A=\{x: \exists y (xRy) \}, B=\{ y: \exists x (xRy) \}$$
This theorem says more than a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$. This latter fact holds by definition. The theorem you quoted says that a relation has unique (minimal) domain and range in the sense described in Wikipedia.

evinda said:
The proof of the theorem starts like that:

Let $<x,y> \in R$. Then:

$$\{ \{ x \}, \{ x,y \} \} \in R \rightarrow \{ x \} \in \bigcup R$$

Could you explain me how we conclude, that $\{ x \} \in \bigcup R$ ? (Thinking)
This again holds by definition of generalized union since $\{x\}\in\{ \{ x \}, \{ x,y \} \} \in R$
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
This theorem says more than a relation between $A$ and $B$ is a subset of the Cartesian product $A\times B$. This latter fact holds by definition. The theorem you quoted says that a relation has unique (minimal) domain and range in the sense described in Wikipedia.

This again holds by definition of generalized union since $\{x\}\in\{ \{ x \}, \{ x,y \} \} \in R$

A ok.. (Smile) So, could we prove like that, that a relation $R$ has a unique range $B=\{ y: \exists x (xRy)\}$ ? (Thinking)

Let $<x,y> \in R$. Then, we have that $\{ \{x\},\{x,y\} \} \in R \rightarrow \{x,y\} \in \bigcup R$

From $\{x,y\} \in \bigcup R$ and $y \in \{x,y\}$, we have that $y \in \bigcup \bigcup R$.

Therefore, $\forall y(\exists x: <x,y> \in R) \rightarrow y \in \bigcup \bigcup R$

From the theorem: "Let $\phi$ a type. If there is a set $Y$, such that $\forall x(\phi(x)) \rightarrow x \in Y$, then there is the set $\{x: \phi(x) \}$"

we conclude that the set $\{y: \exists x(xRy) \}$ exists.
 
Yes, I think this is fine.
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
Yes, I think this is fine.

Nice, thank you! (Smirk)
 

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