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Question of 104

Q.(i) What is the minimum number of ordered pairs to form a reflexive relation on a set of 4 elements?

(1)
(ii) Let A = R − {3}, B = R − {1}. Consider the function f : A → B defined by f(x) = (x − 2)/(x − 3). Check whether f is one-one and onto. (3)
Kerala DhseKerala DHSE Plus Two Board 2024Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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(i) A reflexive relation must contain every (a,a)(a,a), giving one pair per element. (ii) Cross-multiply to prove injectivity, then solve y=f(x)y=f(x) for xx to prove surjectivity.

(i) Minimum ordered pairs for a reflexive relation on a 4-element set.

A relation RR on a set AA is reflexive iff (a,a)∈R(a,a)\in R for every a∈Aa\in A. For ∣A∣=4|A|=4, this forces exactly 4 specific pairs (a1,a1),(a2,a2),(a3,a3),(a4,a4)(a_1,a_1),(a_2,a_2),(a_3,a_3),(a_4,a_4) to be present (more pairs may be added, but these 4 are unavoidable). So the minimum number is 4\mathbf{4}.

(ii) f:A→Bf:A\to B, A=R−{3}A=\mathbb R-\{3\}, B=R−{1}B=\mathbb R-\{1\}, f(x)=x−2x−3f(x)=\dfrac{x-2}{x-3}. Check one-one and onto.

One-one: Suppose f(x1)=f(x2)f(x_1)=f(x_2) for x1,x2∈Ax_1,x_2\in A:

x1−2x1−3=x2−2x2−3\dfrac{x_1-2}{x_1-3}=\dfrac{x_2-2}{x_2-3}

Cross-multiplying:

(x1−2)(x2−3)=(x2−2)(x1−3)(x_1-2)(x_2-3)=(x_2-2)(x_1-3)

x1x2−3x1−2x2+6=x1x2−3x2−2x1+6x_1x_2-3x_1-2x_2+6=x_1x_2-3x_2-2x_1+6

−3x1−2x2=−2x1−3x2-3x_1-2x_2=-2x_1-3x_2

−3x1+2x1=−3x2+2x2-3x_1+2x_1=-3x_2+2x_2

−x1=−x2⇒x1=x2-x_1=-x_2 \Rightarrow x_1=x_2

So ff is one-one.

Onto: Take any y∈By\in B (so y≠1y\ne1). We must find x∈Ax\in A with f(x)=yf(x)=y: …

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