Show that the relation R in the set A of all the books in a library of a college given by R = {(x, y): x and y have same number of pages} is an equivalence relation.
A is the set of all books in a library of a college.
R = {(x,y) : x and y have same number of pages}
Since (x, x) ∈ R as x and x have the same number of pages ∀ x ∈ A.
∴ R is reflexive.
Also (x, y) ∈ R
⇒ x and y have the same number of pages ⇒ y and x have the same number of pages
⇒ (y, x) ∈ R
∴ R is symmetric.
Now, (x, y) ∈ R and (y, z) ∈ R.
⇒ x and y have the same number of pages and y and z have the same number of pages
⇒ x and z have he same number of pages ⇒ (x, z) ∈ R ∶ R is transitive.