1. ## Properties of Relations

Hello,

I just have a question concerning properties of relations.
I'm wondering, if we wanna check wheter a relation is symmetric or not, is it ok to consider identical pairs..??

You know like.. R = {(a,b) | a^2 = b^2}.. R is defined on the integers.
Now the way I'm thinking of this is like.. lets take a look at (1,2) & (2,1) obviously the square of 1 doesnt equal the square of 2 so its not symmetric. But can we instead, consider a pair like (1,1) or (2,2).. which in that case can make the relation symmetric...???

Another question... can a relation be not symmetric and not anti-symmetric at the same time ???

I hope somebody can clarify theses point.

2. Let $R$ be a binary relation.
$R$ is symmetric if $aRb\Rightarrow bRa, \ \forall a,b$.

If $aRb\Rightarrow a^2=b^2\Rightarrow b^2=a^2\Rightarrow bRa$
So, the relation is symmetric.

3. Originally Posted by MMM88
Hello,

I just have a question concerning properties of relations.
I'm wondering, if we wanna check wheter a relation is symmetric or not, is it ok to consider identical pairs..??

You know like.. R = {(a,b) | a^2 = b^2}.. R is defined on the integers.
Now the way I'm thinking of this is like.. lets take a look at (1,2) & (2,1) obviously the square of 1 doesnt equal the square of 2 so its not symmetric. But can we instead, consider a pair like (1,1) or (2,2).. which in that case can make the relation symmetric...???

You relation $R$ is symmetric because if $(a,b) \in R$, then so is $(b,a)$

A specific pair can show that a relation is not symmetric, but cannot show
that it is symmetric.

Also a relation is not defined on all pairs. In this case $(a,b) \in R$ if and only
if $a^2=b^2$, $R$ has nothing to say about any other pairs.

RonL

4. Originally Posted by MMM88

Another question... can a relation be not symmetric and not anti-symmetric at the same time ???
$R=((1,2),(2,1),(3,4))$

is not anti-symmetric because $(1,2) \in R$ as is $(2,1)$, also it is not symmetric
because $(3,4) \in R$ but $(4,3) \not\in R$

RonL

5. Awesome!!! I get it now.
Thanks for the help guys.