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JEE Main 2021
Sets, Relations & Functions
Sets and Relations
Medium

Question

Let R be the real line. Consider the following subsets of the plane R×RR \times R : S={(x,y):y=x+1and0<x<2}S = \left\{ {(x,y):y = x + 1\,\,and\,\,0 < x < 2} \right\} T={(x,y):xyisaninteger}T = \left\{ {(x,y): x - y\,\,\,is\,\,an\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} eger\,} \right\}, Which one of the following is true ?

Options

Solution

Key Concepts and Formulas

  • Equivalence Relation: A relation RR on a set AA is an equivalence relation if it satisfies three properties:
    1. Reflexivity: For all aAa \in A, (a,a)R(a,a) \in R.
    2. Symmetry: For all a,bAa, b \in A, if (a,b)R(a,b) \in R, then (b,a)R(b,a) \in R.
    3. Transitivity: For all a,b,cAa, b, c \in A, if (a,b)R(a,b) \in R and (b,c)R(b,c) \in R, then (a,c)R(a,c) \in R.
  • Set of Real Numbers: RR denotes the set of all real numbers.
  • Set of Integers: Z\mathbb{Z} denotes the set of all integers.

Step-by-Step Solution

We are given two subsets of the plane R×RR \times R, denoted by SS and TT. We need to determine which of these is an equivalence relation on the set of real numbers RR.

Analysis of Relation S

The relation SS is defined as: S={(x,y):y=x+1and0<x<2}S = \left\{ {(x,y):y = x + 1\,\,and\,\,0 < x < 2} \right\} We will check the three properties of an equivalence relation for SS on RR.

  • Step 1: Check for Reflexivity
    • Reasoning: For SS to be reflexive on RR, every real number xRx \in R must be related to itself, meaning (x,x)S(x,x) \in S.
    • Mathematical Verification: The condition for (x,y)S(x,y) \in S is y=x+1y = x+1 and 0<x<20 < x < 2. For (x,x)(x,x) to be in SS, we must have x=x+1x = x+1.
    • Explanation: The equation x=x+1x = x+1 simplifies to 0=10 = 1, which is a false statement. This means that for any real number xx, the pair (x,x)(x,x) does not satisfy the condition y=x+1y = x+1. Consequently, (x,x)S(x,x) \notin S for any xRx \in R.
    • Conclusion: Since SS is not reflexive, it cannot be an equivalence relation. We do not need to check symmetry or transitivity for SS.

Analysis of Relation T

The relation TT is defined as: T={(x,y):xyisaninteger}T = \left\{ {(x,y): x - y\,\,\,is\,\,an\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} eger\,} \right\} We will check the three properties of an equivalence relation for TT on RR.

  • Step 2: Check for Reflexivity

    • Reasoning: For TT to be reflexive on RR, every real number xRx \in R must be related to itself, meaning (x,x)T(x,x) \in T.
    • Mathematical Verification: The condition for (x,y)T(x,y) \in T is that xyx-y is an integer. For (x,x)(x,x) to be in TT, we must check if xxx-x is an integer.
    • Explanation: For any real number xx, xx=0x-x = 0. Since 00 is an integer, the condition is satisfied. Thus, (x,x)T(x,x) \in T for all xRx \in R.
    • Conclusion: TT is reflexive.
  • Step 3: Check for Symmetry

    • Reasoning: For TT to be symmetric, if (x,y)T(x,y) \in T for any x,yRx,y \in R, then it must also be true that (y,x)T(y,x) \in T.
    • Mathematical Verification: Assume (x,y)T(x,y) \in T. By definition, this means xy=kx-y = k for some integer kZk \in \mathbb{Z}. We need to check if (y,x)T(y,x) \in T, which means checking if yxy-x is an integer.
    • Explanation: From xy=kx-y = k, we can multiply by 1-1 to get (xy)=k-(x-y) = -k, which means yx=ky-x = -k. Since kk is an integer, k-k is also an integer. Therefore, yxy-x is an integer, and (y,x)T(y,x) \in T.
    • Conclusion: TT is symmetric.
  • Step 4: Check for Transitivity

    • Reasoning: For TT to be transitive, if (x,y)T(x,y) \in T and (y,z)T(y,z) \in T for any x,y,zRx,y,z \in R, then it must also be true that (x,z)T(x,z) \in T.
    • Mathematical Verification: Assume (x,y)T(x,y) \in T and (y,z)T(y,z) \in T.
      • (x,y)T(x,y) \in T implies xy=k1x-y = k_1 for some integer k1Zk_1 \in \mathbb{Z}.
      • (y,z)T(y,z) \in T implies yz=k2y-z = k_2 for some integer k2Zk_2 \in \mathbb{Z}. We need to check if (x,z)T(x,z) \in T, which means checking if xzx-z is an integer.
    • Explanation: We can add the two equations: (xy)+(yz)=k1+k2(x-y) + (y-z) = k_1 + k_2. This simplifies to xz=k1+k2x-z = k_1 + k_2. Since k1k_1 and k2k_2 are integers, their sum k1+k2k_1 + k_2 is also an integer. Therefore, xzx-z is an integer, and (x,z)T(x,z) \in T.
    • Conclusion: TT is transitive.
  • Step 5: Overall Conclusion for T

    • Reasoning: Since TT satisfies reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity, it is an equivalence relation on RR.

Step 6: Evaluate the Options

  • SS is not an equivalence relation.
  • TT is an equivalence relation.

Let's examine the given options: (A) Neither S nor T is an equivalence relation on R. (False, T is) (B) Both S and T are equivalence relation on R. (False, S is not) (C) S is an equivalence relation on R but T is not. (False, S is not and T is) (D) T is an equivalence relation on R but S is not. (True, as determined)


Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Scope of "on R": Remember that reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity must hold for all elements of the set RR, not just a subset. The condition 0<x<20 < x < 2 in the definition of SS restricts the pairs (x,y)(x,y) that can be in SS, but reflexivity requires checking (x,x)(x,x) for all xRx \in R.
  • Single Counterexample: If you find even one instance where a property (reflexivity, symmetry, or transitivity) fails, the relation is not an equivalence relation.
  • Integer Properties: Be comfortable with the closure properties of integers under addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Summary

We analyzed relation SS and found it to be not reflexive because x=x+1x = x+1 is never true for any real number xx. Therefore, SS is not an equivalence relation. We then analyzed relation TT and found it to be reflexive (since xx=0x-x=0 is an integer), symmetric (if xyx-y is an integer, then yxy-x is also an integer), and transitive (if xyx-y and yzy-z are integers, then xzx-z is also an integer). Hence, TT is an equivalence relation on RR. This means that TT is an equivalence relation on RR but SS is not.

The final answer is (D)\boxed{\text{(D)}}.

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