0.2: Relations
- Page ID
- 131014
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Definition: Binary Relation
Let \(S\) be a nonempty set. Then any subset \(R\) of \(S \times S\) is said to be a relation over \(S\). In other words, a relation is a rule defined between two elements of \(S\). Intuitively, if \(R\) is a relation over \(S\), then the statement \(a R b\) is either true or false for all \(a,b\in S\).
If the statement \(a R b\) is false, we denote this by \( a \not R b\).
Example \(\PageIndex{1}\):
Let \(S=\{1,2,3\}\). Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a < b\), for \(a, b \in S\).
Then \(1 R 2, 1 R 3, 2 R 3 \) and \( 2 \not R 1\).
We can visualize the above binary relation as a graph, where the vertices are the elements of S, and there is an edge from \(a\) to \(b\) if and only if \(a R b\), for \(a b\in S\).
The following are some examples of relations defined on \(\mathbb{Z}\).
Example \(\PageIndex{2}\):
- Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a < b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
- Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a >b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
- Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a \leq b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
- Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a \geq b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
- Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a = b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Definition: Divisor/Divides
Let \( a\) and \(b\) be integers. We say that \(a\) divides \(b\) is denoted \(a\mid b\), provided we have an integer \(m\) such that \(b=am\). In this case we can also say the following:
- \(b\) is divisible by \(a\)
- \(a\) is a factor of \(b\)
- \(a\) is a divisor of \(b\)
- \(b\) is a multiple of \(a\)
If \(a\) does not divide \(b\), then it is is denoted by \(a \not \mid b\).
Theorem \(\PageIndex{1}\): Divisibility inequality theorem
If \(a\mid b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z_+}\) then \(a \leq b\),
- Proof
-
Let \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z_+}\) such that \(a\mid b\), Since (a\mid b\), there is a positive integer \(m\) such that \(b=am\). Since \(m \geq 1\) and \(a\) is a positive integer, \(b=am \geq (a)(1)=a. \)
Note that if \(a\mid b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z_+}\) then \(a \leq b\), but the converse is not true. For example: \(2 <3\), but \(2 \not\mid 3\).
Example \(\PageIndex{6}\):
According to our definition, \(0 \mid 0\).

Definition: Even integer
An integer is even provided that it is divisible by \(2\).
Properties of binary relation:
Definition: Reflexive
Let \(S\) be a set and \(R\) be a binary relation on \(S\). Then \(R\) is said to be reflexive if \( a R a, \forall a \in S.\)
We will follow the template below to answer the question about reflexive.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Reflexive.
Example \(\PageIndex{7}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a < b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\). Is \(R\) reflexive?
Counterexample:
Choose \(a=2.\)
Since \( 2 \not< 2\), \(R\) is not reflexive.
Example \(\PageIndex{8}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a \mid b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\). Is \(R\) reflexive?
Proof:
Let \( a \in \mathbb{Z}\). Since \(a=(1) (a)\), \(a \mid a\).
Thus \(R\) is reflexive. \( \Box\)
Definition: Symmetric
Let \(S\) be a set and \(R\) be a binary relation on \(S\). Then \(R\) is said to be symmetric if the following statement is true:
\( \forall a,b \in S\), if \( a R b \) then \(b R a\), in other words, \( \forall a,b \in S, a R b \implies b R a.\)
Example \(\PageIndex{9}\): Visually

\(\forall a,b \in S, a R b \implies b R a.\) holds!
We will follow the template below to answer the question about symmetry.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Symmetric.
Example \(\PageIndex{10}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a < b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\). Is \(R\) symmetric?
Counterexample:
\(1<2\) but \(2 \not < 1\).
Example \(\PageIndex{11}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a \mid b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\). Is \(R\) symmetric?
Counterexample:
\(2 \mid 4\) but \(4 \not \mid 2\).
Definition: Transitive
Let \(S\) be a set and \(R\) be a binary relation on \(S\). Then \(R\) is said to be transitive if the following statement is true
\( \forall a,b,c \in S,\) if \( a R b \) and \(b R c\), then \(a R c\).
In other words, \( \forall a,b,c \in S\), \( a R b \wedge b R c \implies a R c\).
Example \(\PageIndex{12}\): VISUALLY

\( \forall a,b,c \in S\), \( a R b \wedge b R c \implies a R c\) holds!
We will follow the template below to answer the question about transitive.

Example \(\PageIndex{13}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a < b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\). Is \(R\) transitive?
Example \(\PageIndex{14}\):
Define \(R\) by \(a R b\) if and only if \(a \mid b\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z_+}\). Is \(R\) transitive?
Definition: Equivalence Relation
A binary relation is an equivalence relation on a nonempty set \(S\) if and only if it is reflexive (R), symmetric (S), and transitive (T).
:
Let \(S\) be a set and \(R\) be a binary relation on \(S\). Then \(R\) is said to be antisymmetric if the following statement is true:
\( \forall a,b \in S\), if \( a R b \) and \(b R a\), then \(a=b\).
In other words, \( \forall a,b \in S\), \( a R b \wedge b R a \implies a=b.\)

\( \forall a,b \in S\), \( a R b \wedge b R a \implies a=b \) holds!
We will follow the template below to answer the question about anti-symmetry.

Example \(\PageIndex{16}\): \(=\)
Let \(S=\mathbb{R}\) and \(R\) be =. Is the relation a) reflexive, b) symmetric, c) antisymmetric, d) transitive, e) an equivalence relation, f) a partial order?
Solution:
-
Yes, \(R \) is reflexive.
Proof:
Let \(a \in \mathbb{R} \).
Then \(a=a \).
Hence \(R \) is reflexive. \(\blacksquare \)
Yes, \(R \) is symmetric.
Proof:
Let \((a,b) \in \mathbb{R}\) such that \(a=b.\)
Clearly \(b=a \).
Hence \(R \) is symmetric. \(\blacksquare \)
Yes, \(R \) is antisymmetric.
Proof:
Let \(a,b \in \mathbb{R} \) s.t. \(a=b \) and \(b=a \). Then clearly \(a=b \; \forall a,b \in \mathbb{R} \). \(\blacksquare \)
Yes, \(R \) is transitive.
Proof:
Let \(a,b,c \in \mathbb{R} \) s.t. \(a=b \) and \(b=c \).
We shall show that \(aRc \).
Since \(a=b \) and \(b=c \) it follows that \(a=c \)
Thus \(aRc \). \(\blacksquare \)
Yes, \(R \) is an equivalence relation.
Proof:
Since \(R \) is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, it is an equivalence relation.
Yes, \(R \) is a partial order.
Proof:
Since \(R\) is reflexive, antisymmetric, and transitive, \(R\) is a partial order.
Example \(\PageIndex{17}\): Less than or equal to
Let \(S=\mathbb{R}\) and \(R\) be \(\leq\). Is the relation a) reflexive, b) symmetric, c) antisymmetric, d) transitive, e) an equivalence relation, f) a partial order?
Solution
Proof:
Counterexample:
It is true that , but it is not true that
.
Proof:
We will show that given and
that
.
Proof:
We will show that given and
, then
.
5. No, is not an equivalence relation on
since it is not symmetric.
6. Yes, is a partial order on
since it is reflexive, antisymmetric, and transitive.
Definition: Equivalence Class
Given an equivalence relation \( R \) over a set \( S, \) for any \(a \in S \) the equivalence class of a is the set \( [a]_R =\{ b \in S \mid a R b \} \), that is
\([a]_R \) is the set of all elements of S that are related to \(a\).
Example \(\PageIndex{18}\): Equivalence relation
Define a relation such that two shapes are related if and only if they are the same color. Is this relation an equivalence relation?
Equivalence classes are:

Example \(\PageIndex{19}\):
Define a relation such that two shapes are related if and only if they are similar. Is this relation an equivalence relation?
Equivalence classes are:

Let \(A\) be a nonempty set. A partition of \(A\) is a set of nonempty pairwise disjoint sets whose union is A.
Note
For every equivalence relation over a nonempty set \(S\), \(S\) has a partition.
Theorem \(\PageIndex{2}\)
If \( \sim \) is an equivalence relation over a nonempty set \(S\). Then the set of all equivalence classes is denoted by \(\{[a]_{\sim}| a \in S\}\) forms a partition of \(S\).
This means
1. Either \([a] \cap [b] = \emptyset\) or \([a]=[b]\), for all \(a,b\in S\).
2. \(S= \cup_{a \in S} [a]\).
- Proof
-
Assume
is an equivalence relation on a nonempty set
.
Let
. If
, then we are done. Otherwise,
Let
be the common element between them.
Then
and
, which means that
and
.
Since
is an equivalence relation and
.
Since
and
(due to the transitive property),
.
For the following examples, determine whether or not each of the following binary relations on the given set
is reflexive, symmetric, antisymmetric, or transitive. If a relation has a certain property, prove this is so; otherwise, provide a counterexample to show that it does not. If
is an equivalence relation, describe the equivalence classes of \(A\).
Example \(\PageIndex{20}\):
Let \(S = \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9\}\). Define a relation \(R\) on \(A = S \times S \) by \((a, b) R (c, d)\) if and only if \(10a + b \leq 10c + d.\)
Solution
Proof:
Counterexample:
Note that , specifically
,
is true.
Since ,
is not symmetric on
.◻
Proof:
Thus is antisymmetric on
.◻
5. is transitive on .
Proof:
6. is not an equivalence relation since it is not reflexive, symmetric, or transitive.
Example \(\PageIndex{21}\):
Let . Define a relation
on
, by
if and only if
Solution
Proof:
Clearly, since
and a negative integer multiplied by a negative integer is a positive integer in
.
Since ,
is reflexive on
.◻
2. is symmetric on .
Proof:
Counterexample:
Since ,
is not antisymmetric on
.◻
Proof:
There are two cases to be examined:
Since in both possible cases
is transitive on
.◻
5. Since is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, it is an equivalence relation. Equivalence classes are
and
.
Note that this is a partition since or
. So all the intersections are empty.
Let \(S = M_{22}(\mathbb{C})\). Define \(A R B \iff \det(A) = \det(B),\) for \(A, B \in S\). Prove \(R\) is an equivalence relation and identify \([I_2]_R\).
Solution
Reflexive:
Given \(S = M_{22}(\mathbb{C})\), and \(A R B \iff \det(A) = \det(B),\) for \(A, B \in S\).
Let \(A \in S\). We shall show that \(A R A\).
Since \(\det(A) = \det(A)\), \(A R A\).
Thus \(R\) is reflexive.
Symmetry: Let \(A,B \in M_{22}(\mathbb{C}) \) such that \(A R B\). We shall show that \(B R A\).
Since \(A R B\), \(\det(A) = \det(B)\).
Thus \(\det(B) = \det(A).\) Hence \(B R A\).
Thus \(R\) is symmetric.
Transitive:
Let \(A,B,C \in M_{22}(\mathbb{C}) \) such that \(A R B\) and \(B R C\). Show We shall show that \(A R C\).
Since \(A R B\) and \(B R C\), \(\det(A) = \det(B)= \det(C).\) Thus \( \det(A) = \det(C)\).
Thus, \(R\) is transitive.
Since \(R\) is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, \(R\) is an equivalence relation on \(S\).
Equivalence Class \([I_2]_R\):
\[
[I_2]_R = \{A \in M_{22}(\mathbb{C}) \mid \det(A) = \det(I_2) = 1\} = SL_2(\mathbb{C})
\]
Recall:
Let \(m,n \in \mathbb{Z}\).
We say that \(m\) divides \(n\) (written as \(m|n\)) if \(n=mk\) for some \(k\in \mathbb{Z}\).
Congruence Modulo \(n\)
Let \(S= \mathbb{Z}, n\in \mathbb{Z}_+\). Define \(aRb\) if and only if \(n|(a-b), \forall a,b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Note that \(n\) is a positive integer.
Let \(n=3\). Choose \(a=1\) and \(b=2\).
Are 1 and 2 related? i.e. does \(3|1-2\)? Does \(1-2=3k, k\in \mathbb{Z}\)? Since there is no integer \( k\) s.t. \(-1 = 3k\), ∴ \(1 \) is not related to \( 2\).
However, we can see that we have three groups, as shown in the image below:

Definition: Modulo
Let \(n\) \(\in\) \(\mathbb{Z_+}\).
\(a\) is congruent to \(b\) modulo \(m\) denoted as \( a \equiv b (mod \, n) \), if \(a\) and \(b\) have the remainder when they are divided by \(n\), for \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Properties
Let \(n \in \mathbb{Z_+}\). Then
Theorem \(\PageIndex{3}\)
Two integers \(a \) and \(b\) are said to be congruent modulo \( n\), \(a \equiv b (mod \, n)\), if all of the following are true:
a) \(m\mid (a-b).\)
b) both \(a\) and \(b \) have the same remainder when divided by \(n.\)
c) \(a-b= kn\), for some \(k \in \mathbb{Z}\).
NOTE: Possible remainders of \( n\) are \(0, ..., n-1.\)
Reflexive Property
Theorem \(\PageIndex{4}\)
The relation " \(\equiv\) " over \(\mathbb{Z}\) is reflexive.
Proof: Let \(a \in \mathbb{Z} \).
Then \(a-a=0(n)\), and \( 0 \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \(a \equiv a (mod \, n)\).
Thus congruence modulo n is Reflexive.
Symmetric Property
Theorem \(\PageIndex{5}\)
The relation " \(\equiv\) " over \(\mathbb{Z}\) is symmetric.
Proof: Let \(a, b \in \mathbb{Z} \) such that \(a \equiv b\) (mod n).
Then \(a-b=kn, \) for some \(k \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Now \( b-a= (-k)n \) and \(-k \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \(b \equiv a(mod \, n)\).
Thus the relation is symmetric.
Antisymmetric Property
Is the relation " \(\equiv\) " over \(\mathbb{Z}\) antisymmetric?
Counterexample: \(n=2\) is fixed
choose: \(a= 3, b= 5\), then
\(a \equiv b(mod \, n)\) and \( b \equiv a (mod \, n)\)
but \( a \ne b.\)
Thus the relation " \(\equiv\) "on \(\mathbb{Z}\) is not antisymmetric.
Transitive Property
Theorem \(\PageIndex{6}\)
The relation " \(\equiv\) " over \(\mathbb{Z}\) is transitive.
Proof: Let \(a, b, c \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\), such that \(a \equiv b (mod n)\) and \(b \equiv c (mod n).\)
Then \(a=b+kn, k \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\) and \(b=c+hn, h \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\).
We shall show that \(a \equiv c (mod \, n)\).
Consider \(a=b+kn=(c+hn)+kn=c+(hn+kn)=c+(h+k)n, h+k \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \(a \equiv c (mod \, n)\).
Thus congruence modulo \(n\) is transitive.
Theorem \(\PageIndex{7}\)
The relation " \(\equiv\) " over \(\mathbb{Z}\) is an equivalence relation.
Modulo classes
Let \(n\in \mathbb{Z}_+\).The relation \( \equiv \) on \(\ mathbb {Z} \) by \( a \equiv b \) if and only if \(m \mid (a-b)\)\is an equivalence relation. The classes of \(pmod n\) have the following equivalence classes: \(\{[0], [1], \cdots, [(n-1)]\}\).
Example of writing equivalence classes:
Modulo Arithmetic
In this section, we will explore arithmetic operations in a modulo world.
Let \( n \in \mathbb{Z_+}\).
Theorem \(\PageIndex{8}\)
Let \( a, b, c,d, \in \mathbb{Z}\) such that \(a \equiv b (mod\,n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod\, n). \) Then \((a+c) \equiv (b+d)(mod\, n).\)
- Proof:
-
Let \(a, b, c, d \in\mathbb{Z}\), such that \(a \equiv b (mod\, n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod \,n). \)
We shall show that \( (a+c) \equiv (b+d) (mod\, n).\)
Since \(a \equiv b (mod\, n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod\, n), n \mid (a-b)\) and \(n \mid (c-d)\)
Thus \( a= b+nk, \) and \(c= d+nl,\) for \(k \) and \( l \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Consider\( (a+c) -( b+d)= a-b+c-d=n(k+l), k+l \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \((a+c)\equiv (b+d) (mod \,n).\Box\)
Theorem \(\PageIndex{9}\)
Let \( a, b, c,d, \in \mathbb{Z}\) such that \(a \equiv b (mod \, n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod \,n). \) Then \((ac) \equiv (bd) (mod \,n).\)
- Proof:
-
Let \(a, b, c, d \in \mathbb{Z}\), such that \(a \equiv b (mod\, n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod \, n). \)
We shall show that \( (ac) \equiv (bd) (mod\, n).\)
Since \(a \equiv b (mod \,n) \) and \(c \equiv d (mod\, n), n \mid (a-b)\) and \(n \mid (c-d)\)
Thus \( a= b+nk, \) and \(c= d+nl,\) for \(k\) and \( l \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Consider \( (ac) -( bd)= ( b+nk) ( d+nl)-bd= bnl+dnk+n^2lk=n (bl+dk+nlk), \) where \((bl+dk+nlk) \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \((ac) \equiv (bd) (mod \,n).\Box\)
Theorem \(\PageIndex{10}\)
Let \(a, b \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\) such that \(a \equiv b (mod \, n) \). Then \(a^2 \equiv b^2 (mod \, n).\)
- Proof:
-
Let \(a, b \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\), and n \(\in\) \(\mathbb{Z_+}\), such that \(a \equiv b (mod \, n).\)
We shall show that \(a^2 \equiv b^2 (mod \, n).\)
Since \( a \equiv b (mod \, n), n\mid (a-b).\)
Thus \( (a-b)= nx,\) where \(x \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\).
Consider \((a^2 - b^2) = (a+b)(a-b)=(a+b)(nx), = n(ax+bx), ax+bx \in \mathbb{Z}\).
Hence \(n \mid a^2 - b^2,\) therefore \(a^2 \equiv b^2 (mod \, n).\) \(\Box\)
Theorem \(\PageIndex{11}\)
Let \(a, b \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}\) such that \(a \equiv b (mod \, n)\). Then \(a^m \equiv b^m (mod \, n)\), \(\forall m \in\) \(\mathbb{Z}_+\).
- Proof:
-
Exercise.
By using the above result, we can solve many problems. Some of them are discussed below:
Example \(\PageIndex{25}\): \( mod\, 3\) Arithmetic
Let \(n = 3\).
Addition
| + | [0] | [1] | [2] |
| [0] | [0] | [1] | [2] |
| [1] | [1] | [2] | [0] |
| [2] | [2] | [0] | [1] |
Multiplication
| x | [0] | [1] | [2] |
| [0] | [0] | [0] | [0] |
| [1] | [0] | [1] | [2] |
| [2] | [0] | [2] | [1] |
Example \(\PageIndex{26}\): \( mod\, 4\) Arithmetic
Let \(n=4\).
| x | [0] | [1] | [2] | [3] |
| [0] | [0] | [0] | [0] | [0] |
| [1] | [0] | [1] | [2] | [3] |
| [2] | [0] | [2] | [0] | [2] |
| [3] | [0] | [3] | [2] | [1] |
Example \(\PageIndex{27}\):
Find the remainder when \((101)(103)(107)(109)\) is divided by \( 11.\)
- Answer
-
\(101 \equiv 2 (mod \, 11)\)
\(103 \equiv 4 (mod \, 11)\)
\(107 \equiv 8 (mod \, 11)\)
\(109 \equiv 10 (mod \,11)\).
Therefore,
\((101)(103)(107)(109) \equiv (2)(4)(8)(10) (mod \,11) \equiv 2 (mod \,11)\).
Example \(\PageIndex{28}\):
Find the remainder when\( 7^{1453}\) is divided by \( 8.\)
- Answer
-
\(7^0 \equiv 1 (mod \, 8)\)
\(7^1 \equiv 7 (mod \, 8)\)
\(7^2 \equiv 1 (mod \, 8)\)
\(7^3 \equiv 7 (mod \, 8)\),
As there is a consistent pattern emerging and we know that \(1453\) is odd, then \(7^{1453} \equiv 7 (mod \, 8)\). Thus the remainder is \(7.\)
Example \(\PageIndex{29}\):
Find the remainder when \(7^{2020}\) is divided by \(18.\)
- Answer
-
\(7^0 \equiv 1 (mod \, 18)\)
\(7^1 \equiv 7 (mod \, 18)\)
\(7^2 \equiv 13 (mod \, 18)\)
\(7^3 \equiv 1 (mod \, 18)\),
As there is a consistent pattern emerging and we know that \(2020=(673)3+1\), \(7^{2020}= 7^{(673)3+1}=\left( 7^3\right)^{673}7^1 \equiv 7 (mod \, 18).\) Thus the remainder is \(7.\)
Example \(\PageIndex{30}\):
Find the remainder when \( 26^{1453} \) is divided by \( 3.\)
Throughout this text, we identify \(\mathbb{Z}_n\) with \(\{0, 1,\ldots, (n-1)\}\), using these representatives instead of the residue classes \(\{[0]_n, [1]_n,\ldots, [n-1]_n\}\) or \(\{[0], [1],\ldots, [n-1]\}\).


