Question 15 Marks
Show that the relation $R,$ defined on the set $A$ of all polygons as $R = \{(P_1, P_2): P_1$ and $P_2$ have same number of sides$\},$ is an equivalence relation. What is the set of all elements in $A$ related to the right angle triangle $T$ with sides $3, 4$ and $5?$
Answer
View full question & answer→We observe the following properties on $R.$
Reflexivity: Consider $P_1$ be an arbitrary element of $A.$
Then, polygon $P_1$ and $P_1$ have the same number of sides.
Since they are one and the same.
Implies that $\text{P}_1, \text{P}_1\in\text{R}$
for all $\text{P}_1\in\text{A.}$
So,$R$ is reflexive on $A.$
Symmetry: Consider $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_2\in\text{R}$
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_2$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $P_2$ and $P_1$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $\text{P}_2,\text{ P}_1\in\text{R}$ for all $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_2\in\text{A}$
So, $R$ is symmetric on $A.$
Transitivity: Consider $\text{P}_1, \text{P}_2, \text{P}_3\in\text{R}$
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_2$ have the same number of sides and $P_2$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides
Implies that $P_1, P_2$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_3\in\text{R}$ for all $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_3\in\text{A.}$
So, $R$ is transitive on $A$.
Hence, $R$ is an equivalence relation on the set $A$. Also, the set of all the triangles $\in\text{A}$ is related to the right angle triangle $T$ with the sides $3, 4, 5$.
Reflexivity: Consider $P_1$ be an arbitrary element of $A.$
Then, polygon $P_1$ and $P_1$ have the same number of sides.
Since they are one and the same.
Implies that $\text{P}_1, \text{P}_1\in\text{R}$
for all $\text{P}_1\in\text{A.}$
So,$R$ is reflexive on $A.$
Symmetry: Consider $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_2\in\text{R}$
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_2$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $P_2$ and $P_1$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $\text{P}_2,\text{ P}_1\in\text{R}$ for all $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_2\in\text{A}$
So, $R$ is symmetric on $A.$
Transitivity: Consider $\text{P}_1, \text{P}_2, \text{P}_3\in\text{R}$
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_2$ have the same number of sides and $P_2$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides
Implies that $P_1, P_2$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $P_1$ and $P_3$ have the same number of sides.
Implies that $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_3\in\text{R}$ for all $\text{P}_1,\text{ P}_3\in\text{A.}$
So, $R$ is transitive on $A$.
Hence, $R$ is an equivalence relation on the set $A$. Also, the set of all the triangles $\in\text{A}$ is related to the right angle triangle $T$ with the sides $3, 4, 5$.