Question Details

Let P = {(x, y) | x² + y² = 1, x, y ∈ R]. Then, P is

Options

A

Reflexive

B

Symmetric

C

Transitive

D

Anti-symmetric

Correct Answer :

Symmetric

Solution :

The correct option is Symmetric.

Let us analyze the properties of the relation P defined on the set of real numbers R.
The relation is given by:
P = { ( x , y ) x 2 + y 2 = 1 , x , y R }

1. Reflexivity:
For a relation to be reflexive, every element xR must satisfy (x,x)P. This requires:
x 2 + x 2 = 1 2 x 2 = 1
This equation does not hold true for all real numbers x (for example, if x=2, then 2(22)=81). Thus, P is not reflexive.

2. Symmetry:
For a relation to be symmetric, if (x,y)P, then (y,x)P must also be true.
Let (x,y)P. By definition, this means:
x 2 + y 2 = 1
Since addition of real numbers is commutative, we can rewrite this equation as:
y 2 + x 2 = 1
This shows that (y,x)P. Therefore, the relation P is symmetric.

3. Transitivity:
For a relation to be transitive, if (x,y)P and (y,z)P, then (x,z)P must be true.
Let us consider a counterexample: Let x=1, y=0, and z=1.
Here, 12+02=1, so (1,0)P.
Also, 02+12=1, so (0,1)P.
However, for (x,z)=(1,1), we have:
1 2 + 1 2 = 2 1
Thus, (1,1)P, which means the relation is not transitive.

4. Anti-symmetry:
For a relation to be anti-symmetric, if (x,y)P and (y,x)P, then x=y must hold.
If we take x=1 and y=0, we have (1,0)P and (0,1)P, but 10. Thus, the relation is not anti-symmetric.

Consequently, the relation P is symmetric.

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