Difference between Reflexive and Symmetric in Discrete Maths? This is what I understand: Reflexive -> <a,a=a>, <b,b=b> uses = to describe. Symmetric -> <a,b>, <b,a> uses ≤, ≥, = to describe. Transitive -> <a,b>, <b,c>, <a,c> uses <, >, = to describe. But why is this is a symmetric <1,1>, <2,2>, <3,3>, <4,4>, <5,5>?

Jadon Melendez

Jadon Melendez

Answered question

2022-07-17

Difference between Reflexive and Symmetric in Discrete Maths?
This is what I understand:
Reflexive < a , a = a > , < b , b = b > uses = to describe.
Symmetric < a , b > , < b , a > uses , , = to describe.
Transitive < a , b > , < b , c > , < a , c > uses <, >, = to describe.
But why is this is a symmetric < 1 , 1 > , < 2 , 2 > , < 3 , 3 > , < 4 , 4 > , < 5 , 5 > ?

Answer & Explanation

tun1t2j

tun1t2j

Beginner2022-07-18Added 13 answers

Step 1
Symmetric means that for every ( a , b ) R also ( b , a ) R
(c,c) is symetric with itself.
Step 2
(Reflexive means that such (c,c) exists at all, and does not necessarily mean that the relation is symmetric)
glyperezrl

glyperezrl

Beginner2022-07-19Added 5 answers

Step 1
A relation is reflexive if, for all a, a is "related" to a (aRa is true).
A relation is symmetric if, whenever aRb, then bRa (so is not symmetric because if a b it does not follow that b a, but equality is symmetric).
Step 2
A relation is transitive if, given aRb and bRc, then aRc. e.g. if a|b and b|c then a|c so divisibility is transitive.

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