# Math Help - Relations and properties

1. ## Relations and properties

Suppose that R and S are reflexive relations on a set A. Prove or disprove this statements:
a. $R \cup S$ is reflexive
b. $R \cap S$ is reflexive
c. $R-S$ is irreflexive

for part a and b I answered that it is true and part c is false. is this right?

2. Originally Posted by TheRekz
Suppose that R and S are reflexive relations on a set A. Prove or disprove this statements:
a. $R \cup S$ is reflexive
b. $R \cap S$ is reflexive
c. $R-S$ is irreflexive

for part a and b I answered that it is true and part c is false. is this right?
Hi TheRekz .

I agree with you that : a,b are true and c is false .

3. why is $R \cup S$ irreflexive??

4. Originally Posted by TheRekz
why is $R \cup S$ irreflexive??
I'm sorry , I made a mistake .
You are true .

a/ $\forall x \in R \cup S , x \in S$ or $y \in R$. So xRx . $R \cup S$ is reflexive .
b/ $\forall x \in R \cap S , x \in S$ and $y \in R$. So xRx . $R \cap S$ is reflexive .
c/ $\forall x \in R - S , x \in R$ reflexive. So xRx . R - S is reflexive .

5. The set $\Delta _A = \left\{ {(x,x)|x \in A} \right\}$ is known as the diagonal relation on set A. Any relation, $R$, on A is reflexive if and only if $\Delta _A \subseteq R$. Using that characterization, it is easy to see the three statements are true.

6. Originally Posted by le_su14
I'm sorry , I made a mistake .
You are true .

a/ $\forall x \in R \cup S , x \in S$ or $y \in R$. So xRx . $R \cup S$ is reflexive .
b/ $\forall x \in R \cap S , x \in S$ and $y \in R$. So xRx . $R \cap S$ is reflexive .
c/ $\forall x \in R - S , x \in R$ reflexive. So xRx . R - S is reflexive .

Hi guys,

I'm confused. Are above statements correct? Is R – S reflexive? If so how did you come up with the result.

Thanks,
James

7. Originally Posted by ali.irfan.kurt
Are above statements correct? Is R – S reflexive?
The relation $R-S$ is irreflexive! Because S is reflexive, the diagonal has been removed.