Question:
Check whether the relation R defined in the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} as
$\mathrm{R}=\{(a, b): b=a+1\}$ is reflexive, symmetric or transitive.
Solution:
Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
A relation R is defined on set A as:
R = {(a, b): b = a + 1}
∴R = {(1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 4), (4, 5), (5, 6)}
We can find $(a, a) \notin R$, where $a \in A$.
For instance,
(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (5, 5), (6, 6) ∉ R
∴R is not reflexive.
It can be observed that $(1,2) \in R$, but $(2,1) \notin R$.
∴R is not symmetric..
Now, $(1,2),(2,3) \in \mathbf{R}$
But,
$(1,3) \notin R$
∴R is not transitive
Hence, R is neither reflexive, nor symmetric, nor transitive.