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Q.If RR is an equivalence relation on a non-empty set AA, then prove that R−1R^{-1} is also an equivalence relation on AA.

Odisha ChseOdisha CHSE +2 Science Board Exam 2024Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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Each of reflexivity, symmetry and transitivity of R−1R^{-1} follows directly from the corresponding property of RR, using (x,y)∈R−1  ⟺  (y,x)∈R(x,y)\in R^{-1} \iff (y,x)\in R.

By definition, (x,y)∈R−1  ⟺  (y,x)∈R(x,y)\in R^{-1} \iff (y,x)\in R.

Reflexive: Since RR is reflexive, (a,a)∈R(a,a)\in R for all a∈Aa\in A. As (a,a)(a,a) reversed is itself, (a,a)∈R−1(a,a)\in R^{-1} for all a∈Aa\in A. So R−1R^{-1} is reflexive.

Symmetric: Suppose (a,b)∈R−1(a,b)\in R^{-1}. By definition (b,a)∈R(b,a)\in R. Since RR is symmetric, (b,a)∈R⇒(a,b)∈R(b,a)\in R \Rightarrow (a,b)\in R. But (a,b)∈R(a,b)\in R means, by definition of the inverse relation, (b,a)∈R−1(b,a)\in R^{-1}. So (a,b)∈R−1⇒(b,a)∈R−1(a,b)\in R^{-1}\Rightarrow(b,a)\in R^{-1}, i.e. R−1R^{-1} is symmetric.

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