Each of the following defines a relation on N:
(i) x is greater than y, x, y ∈ N
(ii) x + y = 10, x, y ∈ N
(iii) x y is square of an integer x, y ∈ N
(iv) x + 4y = 10 x, y ∈ N.
Determine which of the above relations are reflexive, symmetric and transitive.
(i) Given, x is greater than y; x, y ∈ N
If (x, x) ∈ R, then x > x, which is not true for any x ∈ N.
Thus, R is not reflexive.
Let (x, y) ∈ R
⇒ xRy
⇒ x > y
So, y > x is not true for any x, y ∈ N
Hence, R is not symmetric.
Let xRy and yRz
⇒ x > y and y > z
⇒ x > z
⇒ xRz
Hence, R is transitive.
(ii) x + y = 10; x, y ∈ N
Thus,
R = {(x, y); x + y = 10, x, y ∈ N}
R = {(1, 9), (2, 8), (3, 7), (4, 6), (5, 5), (6, 4), (7, 3), (8, 2), (9, 1)}
It’s clear (1, 1) ∉ R
So, R is not reflexive.
(x, y) ∈ R ⇒ (y, x) ∈ R
Therefore, R is symmetric.
Now (1, 9) ∈ R, (9, 1) ∈ R, but (1, 1) ∉ R
Therefore, R is not transitive.
(iii) Given, xy is square of an integer x, y ∈ N
R = {(x, y) : xy is a square of an integer x, y ∈ N}
It’s clearly (x, x) ∈ R, ∀ x ∈ N
As x2 is square of an integer for any x ∈ N
Thus, R is reflexive.
If (x, y) ∈ R ⇒ (y, x) ∈ R
So, R is symmetric.
Now, if xy is square of an integer and yz is square of an integer.
Then, let xy = m2 and yz = n2 for some m, n ∈ Z
x = m2/y and z = x2/y
xz = m2n2/ y2, which is square of an integer.
Thus, R is transitive.
(iv) x + 4y = 10; x, y ∈ N
R = {(x, y): x + 4y = 10; x, y ∈ N}
R = {(2, 2), (6, 1)}
It’s clearly seen (1, 1) ∉ R
Hence, R is not symmetric.
(x, y) ∈ R ⇒ x + 4y = 10
And (y, z) ∈ R ⇒ y + 4z = 10
⇒ x – 16z = -30
⇒ (x, z) ∉ R
Therefore, R is not transitive.