Why is this Relation R (graph) not transitive?
Let the arrow graph of R be the following:
If we get the ordered pairs we have that
R = { (a,a), (a,b), (a,c), (b,b), (b,a), (b,c), (c,a), (c,b), (d,d) }
If we analyze this:
*Reflexive - NOT TRUE. Because there aren't x = x for every ordered pair in the set
*Symmetric - TRUE. Because for every (x,y) there is a (y,x)
Question: Transitive?
My professor said that this was not transitive. I am wondering why.
With the pairs we can see that for every (x,y) -> (y,z) there is indeed a (x,z) pair.
Could you please tell me why this is NOT TRANSITIVE?
Thank you!
$\endgroup$3 Answers
$\begingroup$You say:
With the pairs we can see that for every $(x,y)\to (y,z)$ there is indeed a $(x,z)$ pair.
Are you sure? What about $c,a,b$?
$\endgroup$ 4 $\begingroup$$R$ does not contain $(c,c)$ and this while $cRa\wedge aRc$. This contradicts that $R$ is transitive.
In general a relation $S$ is transitive if $uSv\wedge vSw$ implies that $uSw$.
$\endgroup$ 5 $\begingroup$Hint: Look at $(c,a)$ and $(a,c)$.
$\endgroup$ 6