Question:medium

Let A = \{1, 2, 3\}. Then, the number of relations containing (1, 2) and (1, 3), which are reflexive and symmetric but not transitive, is

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When asked to find the number of relations with certain properties, start by building the smallest possible relation that includes all the mandatory elements and satisfies the given properties (like reflexivity and symmetry). Then, check if this minimal relation meets the final condition (e.g., not transitive). Finally, see if adding any other allowed elements still keeps the properties valid.
Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Objective: Construct relations R on set A = {1, 2, 3} satisfying four criteria and count unique valid relations.
The criteria are: 1. R must contain (1, 2) and (1, 3). 2. R must be reflexive. 3. R must be symmetric. 4. R must NOT be transitive. Analysis: Let R be a relation on A. For reflexivity (Condition 2), R must contain {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3)}. For symmetry (Condition 3) and Condition 1: Since (1, 2) $\in$ R, then (2, 1) $\in$ R. Since (1, 3) $\in$ R, then (3, 1) $\in$ R. The minimal relation R_min satisfying Conditions 1, 2, and 3 is: \[ R_{min} = \{(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (1, 2), (2, 1), (1, 3), (3, 1)\} \] Now, check for transitivity (Condition 4): A relation is transitive if (a, b) $\in$ R and (b, c) $\in$ R implies (a, c) $\in$ R. Consider (2, 1) $\in$ R_min and (1, 3) $\in$ R_min. For transitivity, (2, 3) must be in R_min. (2, 3) $otin$ R_min. Consider (3, 1) $\in$ R_min and (1, 2) $\in$ R_min. For transitivity, (3, 2) must be in R_min. (3, 2) $otin$ R_min. Thus, R_min is NOT transitive, satisfying Condition 4. Are there other possibilities? The pairs not in R_min are (2, 3) and (3, 2). To maintain symmetry, if we add (2, 3), we must also add (3, 2). Let R' = R_min $\cup$ {(2, 3), (3, 2)}. R' = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (1, 2), (2, 1), (1, 3), (3, 1), (2, 3), (3, 2)}. This is the universal relation A $\times$ A. Check transitivity for R': (2, 1) $\in$ R' and (1, 3) $\in$ R'. This implies (2, 3) $\in$ R'. R' contains (2, 3). The universal relation is always transitive. Therefore, adding {(2, 3), (3, 2)} makes the relation transitive, violating Condition 4. Conclusion: Only R_min satisfies all four conditions. Therefore, there is exactly 1 such relation.
Result: 1
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