Relations
CBSE · Class 11 · Applied Mathematics
NCERT Solutions for Relations — CBSE Class 11 Applied Mathematics.
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Exercise — Relations (Applied Mathematics, CBSE Class 11)
1(i)Determine whether the relation R in a set S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} defined as R = {(x, y) : y is divisible by x} is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.Show solution
First, list the ordered pairs in R:
Reflexive: For every , divides , so for all . ✓ Hence R is reflexive.
Symmetric: Check whether .
Counter-example: because 2 is divisible by 1, but because 1 is not divisible by 2. ✗ Hence R is not symmetric.
Transitive: Suppose and , i.e., and .
Then and for some integers , so , meaning , i.e., . ✓ Hence R is transitive.
Conclusion: R is reflexive and transitive but not symmetric.
1(ii)Determine whether the relation R in the set L of all lines in a plane defined as R = {(L₁, L₂) : L₁ ⊥ L₂} is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.Show solution
Reflexive: A line cannot be perpendicular to itself. So for any line . ✗ Hence R is not reflexive.
Symmetric: Suppose , i.e., . Then as well, so . ✓ Hence R is symmetric.
Transitive: Suppose and , i.e., and .
If and , then (both perpendicular to ), so is not perpendicular to , meaning . ✗ Hence R is not transitive.
Conclusion: R is symmetric only; it is neither reflexive nor transitive.
2Show that the relation R in the set ℝ of real numbers, defined as R = {(a, b) : a < b²} is neither reflexive nor symmetric nor transitive.Show solution
Not Reflexive: We need for all , i.e., a < a^2 for all .
Counter-example: Take . Then and a = \dfrac{1}{2} > \dfrac{1}{4} = a^2.
So . Hence R is not reflexive.
Not Symmetric: We need , i.e., a < b^2 \Rightarrow b < a^2.
Counter-example: Take . Then a < b^2 \Rightarrow 1 < 9 ✓, so .
But b < a^2 \Rightarrow 3 < 1 ✗, so . Hence R is not symmetric.
Not Transitive: We need and .
Counter-example: Take .
- : 2 < (-2)^2 = 4 ✓, so .
- : -2 < \left(\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \dfrac{1}{4} ✓, so .
- : 2 < \left(\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \dfrac{1}{4}? No, 2 > \dfrac{1}{4}. ✗, so .
Hence R is not transitive.
Conclusion: R is neither reflexive, nor symmetric, nor transitive.
3Show that the relation R in the set ℤ of integers given by R = {(a, b) : 2 divides a − b} is an equivalence relation.Show solution
To show R is an equivalence relation, we verify reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity.
1. Reflexive: For any ,
So , hence for all . ✓ R is reflexive.
2. Symmetric: Let , so , i.e., for some integer .
Then , and , so , giving . ✓ R is symmetric.
3. Transitive: Let and .
Then and for integers .
Since , we have , so . ✓ R is transitive.
Conclusion: Since R is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, R is an equivalence relation on .
4(i)If X = {1, 2, 3, 4}, give an example of a relation on X which is reflexive and symmetric but not transitive.Show solution
Define:
Reflexive: . ✓
Symmetric: ; . ✓
Not Transitive: and , but . ✗
Conclusion: R is reflexive and symmetric but not transitive.
4(ii)If X = {1, 2, 3, 4}, give an example of a relation on X which is symmetric and transitive but not reflexive.Show solution
Define:
Reflexive: and . ✗ Not reflexive.
Symmetric: . ✓
Transitive: Check all pairs:
- and ✓
- and ✓
- and ✓
All cases satisfied. ✓
Conclusion: R is symmetric and transitive but not reflexive.
4(iii)If X = {1, 2, 3, 4}, give an example of a relation on X which is neither reflexive, nor symmetric but transitive.Show solution
Define:
Reflexive: . ✗ Not reflexive.
Symmetric: but . ✗ Not symmetric.
Transitive: Check:
- and ✓
- No other composable pairs exist in R.
Conclusion: R is transitive but neither reflexive nor symmetric.
5If R₁ and R₂ are equivalence relations in set A, show that R₁ ∩ R₂ is also an equivalence relation.Show solution
1. Reflexive: Since and are both reflexive, for every :
So is reflexive. ✓
2. Symmetric: Let .
Then and .
Since is symmetric: .
Since is symmetric: .
So is symmetric. ✓
3. Transitive: Let and .
Then and .
Since is transitive: .
Since is transitive: .
So is transitive. ✓
Conclusion: Since is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, it is an equivalence relation on .
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