Equivalence Relations A. What is an equivalence relation?

Def: An equivalence relation is a relation ~ on a set S such that following three properties are satisfied:

, the

1. Reflexivity- an element a is in relation with itself.

a~a

Example: =

2. Symmetry- if an element a is in relation with an element b, then b is in

relation with a.

a~b

b~a

Example: =

3. Transitivity- if an element a is in relation with an element b, and that

same element b is in relation with an element c, then a is in relation with c.

-

a~b AND b~c

a~c.

Example: = , =

B. Examples of Equivalence Relations

1. Fractions a. As shown in the above examples, fractions are one of the most common equivalence classes that high school students use.

Set: All ratios of integers with non zero denominators. Relation: Fractions that are equal such that = a(kb) = b(ka).
b. Example:

, where k

and

Reflexivity: =

Symmetry: =

Transitivity: = , =

2. Similar Triangles:

Set: All Triangles Relation: A~B if the 2 triangles have the same corresponding angle measurements.

a. Example:

Reflexivity:

Symmetry:

Transitivity

3. Shapes Set: All Shapes Relation: If a shape A is congruent to a shape B.

a. Example:

Reflexivity:

Symmetry:

Transitivity:

4. Angles

Set: All angles

Relation: ~ if Sin( ) = Sin().

Given angles , , and reference angle.

, such that , and all have the same

a. Proof: Reflexivity: Sin() = Sin() Symmetry: Sin() = Sin() Sin() = Sin() Transitivity: Sin() = Sin() AND Sin() = Sin( Note: Sin() = Sin() only works if the angles are in the 1st and 2nd quadrant, since the value of sine is negative in the 3rd and 4th quadrants. Cos() = Cos() only works if the angles are in the 1st and 4th quadrants, since the value of cosine is negative in the 2nd and 3rd quadrants. Tan() = Tan() only works if the angles are in the 1st and 3rd quadrants, since the value of tangent is negative in the 2nd and 4th quadrants. Sin() = Sin(

C. Relations That Are Not Equivalence Relations

If any one of the 3 properties fails, then the relation is not an equivalence relation.

1. Inequalities(

Set: All Numbers

Relation: The trichotomy of any 2 numbers. (x>y, x<y or x=y)

a. Proof:

Reflexivity: x y. True.

Symmetry: x y y x. False.

Example: If x=1 and y=2, then 1 2, but 2 is not 1. Therefore, symmetry fails.

Transitivity: x y AND y z x z. True.

b. Since Symmetry fails, this is not an equivalence relation.

2. Siblings Set: All people

Relation: A~B if A is a sibling of B.

a. Proof:

Reflexivity: A is a sibling of A. False.

This is false because any person cannot be a sibling of his or herself.

Symmetry: A is a sibling of B B is a sibling of A. True.

Transitivity: A is a sibling of B, AND B is a sibling of C A is a sibling of C. True.

b. Since Reflexivity fails, this is not an equivalence relation.

D. Equivalence Classes

1. When we have an equivalence relation on a set, this partitions the set into

disjoint classes. These classes are also known as equivalence classes or congruence classes.

2. Example

a. The set of all fractions equivalent to

form an equivalence class.

E. Other Relations Related To Equivalence Relations (Wikipedia)

1. Partial Equivalence Relation: A relation that is transitive and symmetric.

2. Dependency Relation: A relation that is reflexive and symmetric.

3. Preorder: A relation that is reflexive and transitive.