Reflexive, Symmetric, Transitive - Prove related problem

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing a relation P defined on the set of all ordered pairs of real numbers, specifically examining its properties of reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity. Participants are tasked with proving these properties based on the definition of the relation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to demonstrate the reflexivity of the relation, questioning whether stating certain equalities suffices. There is also exploration of the symmetry of the relation, with some participants suggesting that equivalence needs to be shown explicitly. The transitive property is debated, with concerns about assuming integer values for the differences involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the proofs. Some are questioning the assumptions made about the nature of the numbers involved, while others are exploring the implications of the definitions provided.

Contextual Notes

Participants are reminded to adhere to the definitions of the relation and the properties being examined, particularly in the context of real numbers rather than integers. There is also a request for clarification on how to list elements in specific ordered pairs.

eseefreak
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Let A=RxR=the set of all ordered pairs (x,y), where x and y are real numbers. Define relation P on A as follows: For all (x,y) and (z,w) in A, (x,y)P(z,w) iff x-y=z-w

Homework Equations


R is reflexive if, and only if, for all x ∈ A,x R x.
R is symmetric if, and only if, for all x,y∈A,if xRy then yRx.
R is transitive if, and only if, for all x,y,z∈A, if xRy and yRz then xRz.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am supposed to prove that P is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.
To show if P is reflexive do I just state that since y-x=w-z then L is reflexive
To show it is symmetric do I just state y-x=w-z and x-y=z-w, since they are equivalent then they are symmetric
To show if Transitive if (the book gives this answer for a similar problem) since x-y and z-w are integers then x-z=(x-y) + (x-z) is the sum of two integers. Therefore x-z is an integer. Assuming this is correct, are my two answers for reflexive and symmetric incorrect?

Furthermore, how would I list five elements in [(2,6)] or [(5,5)]?

Thanks for the help! :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
eseefreak said:

Homework Statement


Let A=RxR=the set of all ordered pairs (x,y), where x and y are real numbers. Define relation P on A as follows: For all (x,y) and (z,w) in A, (x,y)P(z,w) iff x-y=z-w

Homework Equations


R is reflexive if, and only if, for all x ∈ A,x R x.
R is symmetric if, and only if, for all x,y∈A,if xRy then yRx.
R is transitive if, and only if, for all x,y,z∈A, if xRy and yRz then xRz.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am supposed to prove that P is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.
To show if P is reflexive do I just state that since y-x=w-z then L is reflexive
What do you get for (x, y)P(x, y)?
eseefreak said:
To show it is symmetric do I just state y-x=w-z and x-y=z-w, since they are equivalent then they are symmetric
You need to show that (x, y) P (z, w) is the same as (z, w) P (x, y)
eseefreak said:
To show if Transitive if (the book gives this answer for a similar problem) since x-y and z-w are integers then x-z=(x-y) + (x-z) is the sum of two integers.
You can't assume the numbers are integers. The relations are defined on sets of real ordered pairs.
eseefreak said:
Therefore x-z is an integer. Assuming this is correct, are my two answers for reflexive and symmetric incorrect?

Furthermore, how would I list five elements in [(2,6)] or [(5,5)]?
Use the definition of your relation.
eseefreak said:
Thanks for the help! :)
 
Last edited:
Mark44 said:
What do you get for (x, y)P(x, y)?
You need to show that (x, y) P (z, w) is the same as (z, w) P (x, y)

Use the definition of your relation.

How can I show that they are the same? It seems easy to show they are the same if there are variables in place but how would I show they are the same for all real numbers?

btw thanks Mark44 for the help
 
What is (z,w)P(x,y)? my guess would be having to prove that x-y=y-x
 
Just say "Let w,x,y,z be arbitrary elements of A such that (x,y)P(z,w)". Then prove that (z,w)P(x,y), without making any assumptions about w,x,y,z.
 
eseefreak said:
What is (z,w)P(x,y)? my guess would be having to prove that x-y=y-x
The original definition is this: (x, y) P (z, w) iff x - y = z - w.
(x, y) P (z, w) and x - y = z - w are statements with identical truth values. If either one is true, the other is true. If either one is false, the other is false.For the relation P, the ordered pairs (x, y) and (z, w) satisfy the relation if and only if x - y = z - w.

For the various parts of this problem, substitute the given variables in the equation on the right, making sure to put them in the right places.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
11K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
13K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K