Is R an Equivalence Relation on Functions to [0,1]?

Also, if X is the natural numbers, and f(x)=g(x)=x, then f^{-1}(0)\setminus g^{-1}(0) is the empty set, but f^{-1}(0) is not countable.b) Yes, it is correct. You need to prove that it is symmetric, though. You've only proved reflexivity.c) You are on the right track. You need to prove that R\cap R^{-1} is reflexive, transitive, and symmetric.
  • #1
eXorikos
284
5

Homework Statement


Given is the set X. The set of functions from X to [0,1] we call Fun(X,[0,1]). On this set we consider the relation R. An ordered pair (f,g) belongs to R when [tex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus g^{-1}(0)[/tex] is a countable set.

a) Prove that R is transitive.

b) Is R an equivalence relation? Prove!

c) Prove that [tex]R \cap R^{-1}[/tex] is an equivalence relation.

Homework Equations


Transitive means that if (f,g) and (g,h) belong to the relation, that also (f,h) belongs to it.

Equivalence relation is a relation that is transitive, reflexive ([tex](f,f) \in R[/tex] and symmetric ([tex](f,g) \in R \Rightarrow (g,f) \in R[/tex].

The Attempt at a Solution


a) [tex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus g^{-1}(0)[/tex] is a countable set. So [tex]f{-1}(0)[/tex] is a countable set. This means that [tex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus h^{-1}(0)[/tex], because a subset of a countable set is also countable.

Is this correct?

b) Reflexivity is easy, because [tex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus f^{-1}(0)[/tex] is the empty set so that is obviously countable.
How do I prove that it is symmetric?

c) Is this just the subset of all the reflexive pairs?
 
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  • #2
eXorikos said:
a) [tex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus g^{-1}(0)[/tex] is a countable set. So [tex]f^{-1}(0)[/tex] is a countable set.
You can't conclude [itex]f^{-1}(0)[/itex] is countable. For instance, suppose X is R, the set of real numbers, and f(x)=g(x)=0. Then [itex]f^{-1}(0)\setminus g^{-1}(0)[/itex] is the empty set, but [itex]f^{-1}(0)=R[/itex], which is not countable.
 

Related to Is R an Equivalence Relation on Functions to [0,1]?

1. What is an equivalence relation?

An equivalence relation is a mathematical concept that defines a relationship between two objects or elements. It states that two objects are equivalent if they share certain properties or characteristics.

2. What are the three properties of an equivalence relation?

The three properties of an equivalence relation are reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. Reflexive means that an object is equivalent to itself. Symmetric means that if object A is equivalent to object B, then object B is also equivalent to object A. Transitive means that if object A is equivalent to object B, and object B is equivalent to object C, then object A is equivalent to object C.

3. How is an equivalence relation different from an equality relation?

An equivalence relation is a broader concept than an equality relation. In an equivalence relation, two objects can be equivalent without being exactly the same. In an equality relation, two objects must be exactly the same to be considered equal. Essentially, an equivalence relation is a more general concept of equality.

4. Can you give an example of an equivalence relation?

One example of an equivalence relation is the relation of "being the same age as." This relation is reflexive (a person is the same age as themselves), symmetric (if person A is the same age as person B, then person B is also the same age as person A), and transitive (if person A is the same age as person B, and person B is the same age as person C, then person A is the same age as person C).

5. How are equivalence relations used in mathematics?

Equivalence relations are used in various areas of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and set theory. They are used to define and classify objects into equivalent classes, which helps simplify and organize mathematical concepts and proofs. Equivalence relations are also used in the construction of mathematical structures, such as equivalence classes in modular arithmetic or equivalence relations in topology.

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