Let X be the set of all persons living in a city. Persons x, y in X are said to be related as x < y if y at least 5 years older than x. which one of the following is correct?
- AOption (a)
The relation is an equivalence relation on X.
- BOption (b)
The relation is transitive but neither reflexive nor symmetric.
- COption (c)
The relation is reflexive but neither transitive nor symmetric.
- DOption (d)
The relation is symmetric but neither transitive nor reflexive.
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Correct answer
The relation is transitive but neither reflexive nor symmetric.
Why this answer is correct
Concept:
Let R be a binary relation on a set A.
1. Reflexive: Each element is related to itself.
- R is reflexive if for all x ∈ A, xRx.
2. Symmetric: If any one element is related to any other element, then the second element is related to the first.
- R is symmetric if for all x, y ∈ A, if xRy, then yRx.
3. Transitive: If any one element is related to a second and that second element is related to a third, then the first element is related to the third.
- R is transitive if for all x, y, z ∈ A, if xRy and yRz, then xRz.
- R is an equivalence relation if A is nonempty and R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.
Calculation:
Given: x < y if y at least 5 years older than x
⇒ y ≥ x + 5
For Reflexive: (x, x) should ∈R for all x ∈ X
Now, x cannot be 5 years older than himself. So the relation is not reflexive.
For Symmetric: If (x, y) ∈ R ⇒(y, x) ∈ R
(x, y) ∈ R ⇒ y is at least 5 years older than x.
(y, x) ∈ R ⇒ x is at least 5 years older than y. This contradicts the above statement. Hence the relation is not symmetric
For Transitive: If (x, y) ∈ R and (y, z) ∈ R ⇒ (x, z) ∈ R.
(x, y) ∈ R ⇒ y is at least 5 years older than x.
(y, z) ∈ R ⇒ z is at least 5 years older than y.
Then, (x, z) ∈ R ⇒ z is at least 5 years older than x.
Since, z is at least 10 years older than x. The relation is transitive.





















