Prove Relationship between Equivalence Relations and Equivalence Classes

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on proving the relationship between equivalence relations and equivalence classes, specifically addressing two homework questions. The first question demonstrates that for every element x in set X, the intersection of relations TR and S at x equals the intersection of TR(x) and TS(x). The second question establishes that the intersection of two equivalence relations R and S over X is also an equivalence relation, satisfying reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity. Key insights include the necessity of precise language in mathematical proofs and the importance of explicitly demonstrating the properties of equivalence relations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of equivalence relations
  • Familiarity with set notation and operations
  • Knowledge of reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity properties
  • Basic proof techniques in mathematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of equivalence relations in depth
  • Learn about set intersections and their implications in mathematical proofs
  • Explore examples of equivalence classes and their applications
  • Practice writing formal proofs for mathematical statements
USEFUL FOR

Students studying abstract algebra, mathematicians focusing on set theory, and educators teaching equivalence relations and classes.

Ceci020
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I'm not sure if I did these 2 questions correctly, so would someone please check my work for any missing ideas or errors?

Question 1:

Homework Statement


Prove:
For every x belongs to X, TR∩S(x) = TR(x) ∩ TS(x)

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


TR(x) = {x belongs to X such that <x,y> belongs to R}
TS(x) = {x belongs to X such that <x,y> belongs to S}
TR∩S(x) = {x belongs to X such that <x,y> belongs to R∩S}

<x,y> belongs to R∩S if <x,y> belongs to R and also belongs to S, which satisfy the definition above for TR(x) and TS(x)

Question 2:

Homework Statement


R and S are equivalence relations over X
Prove R ∩ S is also an equivalence relation over X

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Since R and S are equivalence relations over X, then for x in X, R and S satisfy properties:
Reflexive:
<x,x> belongs to R
<x,x> belongs to S
Symmetry:
<x,y> and <y,x> belong to R
<x,y> and <y,x> belong to S
Transitivity:
<x,y> belongs to R, <y,z> belongs to R; then <x,z> belongs to R
<x,y> belongs to S, <y,z> belongs to R, then <x,z> belongs to S

If R∩S is equivalence relation, then it must satisfy:
1/ <x,x> belongs to R∩S, meaning <x,x> belongs to R and also belongs to S
2/ <x,y> and <y,x> belong to R∩S, meaning <x,y> belongs to R and also belongs to S.
3/ <x,y> belongs to R∩S and <y,z> belongs to R∩S, then <x,z> belongs to R∩S, meaning <x,z> belongs to R and also belongs to S
All of these are satisfied by hypotheses.
So R∩S is equivalence relation over X.
 
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First, be carful with your wording:
Reflexive:
<x,x> belongs to R
<x,x> belongs to S
should be "For all x in X, <x,x> belongs to R and <x,x> belongs to S"
And you really should say "therefore <x, x> belongs to R\cap S".

Symmetry:
<x,y> and <y,x> belong to R
<x,y> and <y,x> belong to S
would normally be interpreted as "for all x and y in X, <x, y> and <y, x> belong to R", etc. but that is not what you want to say. IF <x, y> is in R, then <y, x> if in R.

and the same for "transitive": IF <x, y> is in R AND <y, z> is in R, then <x, z> is in R.

And you cannot just say "all of these are satisfied by hypotheses". You must show exactly why each of reflexive, symmetric, and transitive is satisfied for R\cap S.
 

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