Maths (/maths/) > Math Article (/maths/articles/) > Relations And Its Types (/maths/relations-and-its-types/)

Relations And Its Types

Relations and its types concepts are one of the important topics of set theory. Sets, relations
and functions all three are interlinked topics. Sets denote the collection of ordered elements
whereas relations and functions (https://byjus.com/maths/relations-and-functions/) define
the operations performed on sets.

The relations define the connection between the two given sets. Also, there are types of
relations stating the connections between the sets. Hence, here we will learn about relations
and their types in detail.

Table of contents:

Definition

Types
Empty Relation

Universal Relation

Identity Relation

Inverse Relation

Reflexive Relation

Symmetric Relation

Transitive Relation

Equivalence Relation
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Relations Definition
A relation in mathematics defines the relationship between two different sets of information. If
two sets are considered, the relation between them will be established if there is a connection
between the elements of two or more non-empty sets.

In the morning assembly at schools, students are supposed to stand in a queue in ascending
order of the heights of all the students. This defines an ordered relation between the students
and their heights.

Therefore, we can say,

‘A set of ordered pairs is defined as a relation.’

This mapping depicts a relation from set A into set B. A relation from A to B is a subset of A x B.
The ordered pairs are (1,c),(2,n),(5,a),(7,n). For defining a relation, we use the notation where,

set {1, 2, 5, 7} represents the domain.

set {a, c, n} represents the range.

Sets and Relations

Sets and relation are interconnected with each other. The relation defines the relation between
two given sets.

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If there are two sets available, then to check if there is any connection between the two sets, we
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Playexample, an empty relation denotes none of the elements in the two sets is same.
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Let us discuss the other types of relations here.
Relations in Mathematics
In Maths, the relation is the relationship between two or more set of values.
Suppose, x and y are two sets of ordered pairs. And set x has relation with set y, then the values
of set x are called domain whereas the values of set y are called range.
Example: For ordered pairs={(1,2),(-3,4),(5,6),(-7,8),(9,2)}
The domain is = {-7,-3,1,5,9}
And range is = {2,4,6,8}

Types of Relations
There are 8 main types of relations which include:

Empty Relation

Universal Relation

Identity Relation

Inverse Relation

Reflexive Relation

Symmetric Relation

Transitive Relation

Equivalence Relation

Empty Relation
An empty relation (or void relation) is one in which there is no relation between any elements of
a set. For example, if set A = {1, 2, 3} then, one of the void relations can be R = {x, y} where, |x – y|
= 8. For empty relation,

R=φ⊂A×A

Universal Relation
A universal (or full relation) is a type of relation in which every element of a set is related to
each other. Consider set A = {a, b, c}. Now one of the universal relations will be R = {x, y} where,
|x – y| ≥ 0. For universal relation,

R=A×A

Identity Relation Hi there! Got any questions?

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In an identity relation, every element of a set is related to itself only. For example, in a set A = {a,
b, c}, the identity relation will be I = {a, a}, {b, b}, {c, c}. For identity relation,
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= {(a, a), a ∈ A}
Inverse Relation
Inverse relation is seen when a set has elements which are inverse pairs of another set. For
example if set A = {(a, b), (c, d)}, then inverse relation will be R-1 = {(b, a), (d, c)}. So, for an
inverse relation,

R-1 = {(b, a): (a, b) ∈ R}

Reflexive Relation
In a reflexive relation, every element maps to itself. For example, consider a set A = {1, 2,}. Now
an example of reflexive relation will be R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 2), (2, 1)}. The reflexive relation is given
by-

(a, a) ∈ R

Symmetric Relation
In a symmetric relation, if a=b is true then b=a is also true. In other words, a relation R is
symmetric only if (b, a) ∈ R is true when (a,b) ∈ R. An example of symmetric relation will be R =
{(1, 2), (2, 1)} for a set A = {1, 2}. So, for a symmetric relation,

aRb ⇒ bRa, ∀ a, b ∈ A

Transitive Relation
For transitive relation, if (x, y) ∈ R, (y, z) ∈ R, then (x, z) ∈ R. For a transitive relation,

aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A

Equivalence Relation
If a relation is reflexive, symmetric and transitive at the same time, it is known as an
equivalence relation.

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 Types of Relations

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 1,442

Representation of Types of Relations

Relation Type Condition

Empty Relation R=φ⊂A×A

Universal Relation R=A×A

Identity Relation I = {(a, a), a ∈ A}

Inverse Relation R-1 = {(b, a): (a, b) ∈ R}

Reflexive Relation (a, a) ∈ R

Symmetric Relation aRb ⇒ bRa, ∀ a, b ∈ A

Transitive Relation aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A

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 Relations and Types of Relations

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 2,959

Functions – Introduction, Co-domain and Range

2,552
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Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

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Sk
June 22, 2020 at 1:20 pm
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SIPHEPHIE MOYO
February 6, 2021 at 4:29 pm
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very useful. i benefited much on the differences between relations in sets

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