Exercise · ZW-EQUIVALENCE-RELATION-002 · ★☆☆ Basic
What does it mean for \(R\) to be symmetric?
Choose one option.
A \(a\,R\,a\) for all \(a\in A\) B If \(a\,R\,b\) and \(b\,R\,c\), then \(a\,R\,c\) C If \(a\,R\,b\), then \(b\,R\,a\) D If \(a\,R\,b\) and \(b\,R\,a\), then \(a=b\)
Show answer C. If \(a\,R\,b\), then \(b\,R\,a\)
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Explanation Symmetry means that if \(a\) is related to \(b\), then \(b\) is also related to \(a\). The other options describe reflexivity, transitivity and antisymmetry.
A binary relation \(R\) on \(A\) that is reflexive, symmetric and transitive. It groups the elements of \(A\) that behave alike with respect to some property.
\[\forall a\in A\,(a\,R\,a)\ \wedge\ \forall a,b\in A\,(aRb \Rightarrow bRa)\ \wedge\\ \forall a,b,c\in A\,(aRb\wedge bRc\Rightarrow aRc)\]
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