Q.Let R be the relation in the set N given by $R = \{(a, b) : a = b - 2, b > 6\}$. Choose the correct answer. (A) $(2, 4) \in R$ (B) $(3, 8) \in R$ (C) $(6, 8) \in R$ (D) $(8, 7) \in R$

Properties of a Relation

A relation $R$ on a set $A$ pairs elements of $A$ with one another. Some relations behave in regular, predictable ways, and we name these behaviours properties. Three matter most for CBSE Class 12 — reflexive, symmetric, transitive (together they build an equivalence relation); a fourth, antisymmetric, is worth knowing for order relations.

Reflexive — everything relates to itself

$R$ is reflexive if $a\,R\,a$ for every $a\in A$. "Has the same age as" is reflexive; "is taller than" is not. If even one element misses its self-pair, reflexivity fails: on $\{1,2,3\}$, $\{(1,1),(2,2)\}$ is not reflexive because $(3,3)$ is absent.

Symmetric — the relation runs both ways

$R$ is symmetric if $a\,R\,b \implies b\,R\,a$. "Is married to" is symmetric; "is taller than" is not. Symmetry does not demand that every pair be related — only that any pair which appears also appears reversed. So $\{(1,2),(2,1),(3,3)\}$ is symmetric, but $\{(1,2),(2,1),(1,3)\}$ is not, since $(3,1)$ is missing.

Transitive — relations chain

$R$ is transitive if $a\,R\,b$ and $b\,R\,c$ together force $a\,R\,c$. "Is an ancestor of" is transitive; "is a friend of" is not. A single broken chain breaks the property: $\{(1,2),(2,3)\}$ is not transitive because $(1,3)$ is missing.

Antisymmetric — two-way ties force equality

$R$ is antisymmetric if $a\,R\,b$ and $b\,R\,a$ together force $a=b$. The order relation $\le$ is antisymmetric: $a\le b$ and $b\le a$ give $a=b$. It does not ban self-pairs like $(1,1)$; it only rules out distinct elements related both ways.