Relations, Set Theory, Reflexive, Symmetric, Transitive

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the properties of the relation ⊆ on a set of sets, specifically the set {{a}, {b}, {c}}. Participants conclude that this relation is non-reflexive, non-symmetric, transitive, and antisymmetric. The relation is not irreflexive or intransitive, and the definitions of reflexive, symmetric, transitive, and antisymmetric are clarified throughout the conversation. The importance of understanding ordered pairs in the context of set relations is emphasized.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory concepts, particularly relations and subsets.
  • Familiarity with the definitions of reflexive, symmetric, transitive, and antisymmetric relations.
  • Knowledge of ordered pairs and how they relate to set operations.
  • Basic comprehension of notation used in set theory, such as ⊆ and ∅.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of relations in set theory, focusing on reflexivity and symmetry.
  • Learn about the implications of antisymmetry in set relations.
  • Explore examples of transitive relations and their applications in mathematics.
  • Investigate the differences between irreflexive and intransitive relations with practical examples.
USEFUL FOR

Students of mathematics, particularly those studying set theory, logic, and discrete mathematics, as well as educators looking to clarify these concepts for their students.

Cabinbreaker
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Homework Statement



Determine whether the relations on three sets are Reflexive, Irrelfexive, Symmetric,, Asymmetric, Antisymmetric, Transitive, and Intransitive.

The relation \subseteq on a set of sets.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble figuring out how this will work. I think for the set {{a},{b},{c}} that should mean

<{a} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{b} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b},{c}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<∅ , {{a},{b},{c}}>

But I do not know how to use this to answer the question.
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Cabinbreaker! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(btw, you don't need those extra {} round most of your letters :wink:)
Cabinbreaker said:
Determine whether the relations on three sets are Reflexive, Irrelfexive, Symmetric,, Asymmetric, Antisymmetric, Transitive, and Intransitive.

eg reflexive means: if {a,b} then {b,a}

transitive means: if {a,b} and {b,c} then {a,c} :smile:
 
Then on the relation ⊆ on a set of sets (considering the set {{a},{b},{c}}), relations should be nonrelfexive, nonsymmetric, transitive, and Antisymetric.

Relations are not irreflexive or intransitive.

I think they are also not asymmetric because of <{{a},{b},{c}} , {{a},{b},{c}}> where xRy ⇒ ¬yRx ?
 
Cabinbreaker said:

Homework Statement



Determine whether the relations on three sets are Reflexive, Irrelfexive, Symmetric,, Asymmetric, Antisymmetric, Transitive, and Intransitive.

The relation \subseteq on a set of sets.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble figuring out how this will work. I think for the set {{a},{b},{c}} that should mean

<{a} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{b} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b},{c}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<∅ , {{a},{b},{c}}>

But I do not know how to use this to answer the question.
What you've written doesn't make much sense to me. Either I'm not understanding the question or you've misinterpreted it.

Here's my take:

You have S={{a}, {b}, {c}}, which is a set of sets, and let ##x, y \in S##. You say x is related to y if ##x\subset y##. For example, say x={a} and y={b}. It's not true that ##\{a\} \subseteq \{b\}##, so you would not say that {a} is related to {b}.

In general, a relation R is a subset of S×S. In this case, S×S contains the nine ordered pairs

{{a}, {a}}
{{a}, {b}}
{{a}, {c}}
{{b}, {a}}
{{b}, {b}}
{{b}, {c}}
{{c}, {a}}
{{c}, {b}}
{{c}, {c}}

So those are the pairs you should be considering whereas you seem to be considering the power set of S. Can you state the problem exactly as given to you?
 
The Problem says:

Determine whether the relations on three sets are Reflexive, Irrelfexive, Symmetric, Asymmetric, Antisymmetric, Transitive, and Intransitive.

...

3) The relation ⊆ on a set of sets.

My difficulty is I do not understand the question. I was able to complete the first two. I do not know what it means by "The relation ⊆ on a set of sets." I used the power set because I thought where A ⊆ B it was asking for the ordered pair {A,B}.
 
The set {{a}, {b}, {c}} is already a set of sets. That is, the elements of the set are sets themselves. You have to have a set of sets otherwise the relation ##\subseteq## doesn't make sense. For instance, if you have the set {a, b, c}, then you might ask if ##a \subseteq b##, which doesn't make sense because neither a nor b is a set. On the other hand, with the set {{a}, {b}, {c}}, one element is the set {a} and another is the set {b}, and it does make sense to ask if ##\{a\} \subseteq \{b\}##.

I enumerated the nine ordered pairs in S×S. What you want to do first is determine if the first set in each pair is a subset of the second set in the pair. Then you want to determine if the relation is reflexive, etc. If the relation is reflexive, you should find that every pair of the form {{x}, {x}} satisfies the relation. And so on.
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi Cabinbreaker! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(btw, you don't need those extra {} round most of your letters :wink:)


eg reflexive means: if {a,b} then {b,a}

This is "symmetric", not "reflexive". A relation on set X is "reflexive" if an only if it contains {x,x} for every x in X.

transitive means: if {a,b} and {b,c} then {a,c} :smile:
 
Cabinbreaker said:

Homework Statement



Determine whether the relations on three sets are Reflexive, Irrelfexive, Symmetric,, Asymmetric, Antisymmetric, Transitive, and Intransitive.

The relation \subseteq on a set of sets.
Then you do NOT want to look at a specific set as you do below.
A relation on a given set is a collection of ordered pairs from that set. If we are given a set, X, A and B are two subsets the the pair (A, B) will be in the relation if and only if A\subseteq B.

"Reflexive" here means that for any subset, A, of X, it is true that A\subseteq A which is true because of the "=" part.
"Irreflexive" simply means "not reflexive".

"Transitive" here means "if A\subseteq B and B\subseteq C then A\subseteq C".

"Intransitive" simply means "not transitive".

"Symmetric" here means "if A\subseteq B then B\subseteq A". Of course, that is not true.

"Asymmetric" simply means "not symmetric".

"Anti-symmetric" is a little more complicated. It means "if A\subseteq B then it is NOT true that B\subseteq A. Here that is not true because of the "=" part.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I am having trouble figuring out how this will work. I think for the set {{a},{b},{c}} that should mean

<{a} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{b} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<{{a},{b},{c}} , {{a},{b},{c}}>
<∅ , {{a},{b},{c}}>

But I do not know how to use this to answer the question.
 

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