Quotient set of an equivalence relation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of quotient sets in set theory, specifically focusing on an equivalence relation defined on the set of integers based on divisibility by a fixed integer k. Participants are exploring the nature of the equivalence classes and the structure of the resulting quotient set.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines an equivalence relation on the integers, stating that m \triangleright n if m - n is divisible by k.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the notation used for the equivalence relation and requests a definition of the equivalence classes represented by [0], [1], ..., [k-1].
  • A subsequent reply clarifies the equivalence relation but does not provide definitions for the equivalence classes, leading to further confusion.
  • Another participant critiques the initial post for not clearly stating what the equivalence classes are and emphasizes that the question seems to restate the definition of a quotient set.
  • One participant provides examples for k=1 and k+1, illustrating how the equivalence classes can be derived from the relation, but does not resolve the initial question regarding the nature of the classes for general k.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the clarity and completeness of the original question. There is no consensus on the definitions of the equivalence classes or the nature of the proof being sought.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the lack of clarity in the definitions and the assumptions regarding the equivalence classes, which may affect the understanding of the quotient set. The discussion remains focused on the definitions and implications of the equivalence relation without resolving these issues.

Luna=Luna
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On the set of Z of integers define a relation by writing m \triangleright n for m, n \in Z.

m\trianglerightn if m-n is divisble by k, where k is a fixed integer.

Show that the quotient set under this equivalence relation is:

Z/\triangleright = {[0], [1], ... [k-1]}

I'm a bit new the subject of Set Theory so I'm a bit unsure as to how to go about solving this.
 
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Luna=Luna said:
On the set of Z of integers define a relation by writing m \triangleright n for m, n \in Z.

If m-n is divisble by k, where k is a fixed integer then show that the quotient set under this equivalence relation is:

Z/\triangleright = {[0], [1], ... [k-1]}

I'm a bit new the subject of Set Theory so I'm a bit unsure as to how to go about solving this.
\triangleright seems to be undefined. You say it is a relationship without saying what it is.
 
sorry it wasn't clear from my post, I've rewritten the post to be a bit more clear.

The relationship is:
m\trianglerightn, if m-n is divisble by k, where k is a fixed integer.
 
But you also haven't said what "[1]", "[2]", ... "[k]" are. Of course, they are the equivalence classes but unless your question is "why are there k classes" rather than "why are the classes what they are", you need to specify "what they are"! Essentially what you wrote was that you want to prove that the "quotient set" is the "set of equivalence classes" which is basically the definition of "quotient set"!
(Similar to writing "Luna= Luna"!)

Start with k= 1. All numbers in the same equivalence class with it ([1]) are numbers n such that n- 1 is divisible by k. That is the same as saying "n- 1= mk" for some m or n= mk+ 1. That is, all numbers that are 1 more than a multiple of k: [1]= {..., -2k+ 1, -k+ 1, 1, k+ 1, 2k+ 1, ...}. Similarly, [2]= {..., -2k+ 2, -k+ 2, 2, k+ 2, 2k+ 2, ...}. You can do that until you get to [k]= {..., -2k, -k, 0, k, 2k, ...} which is the same as [0]. If we try to do the same thing with k+ 1, we get [k+1]= {..., -2k+ (k+1), -k+ (k+1), k+ 1, k+ (k+ 1), 2k+ (k+ 1), ...}= {..., -k+ 1, 1, k+ 1, 2k+ 1, 3k+ 1, ...} which is exactly the same as [1].
 
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