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Question:

Consider the following relations: R = {(x, y) | x, y are real numbers and x = wy for some rational number w}; S = {(mn, pq) : m, n, p and q are integers such that n, q ≠ 0 and qm = pn}. Then which of the following is true?

Sis an equivalence relation butRis not an equivalence relation

RandSboth are equivalence relations

neitherRnorSis an equivalence relation

Ris an equivalence relation butSis not an equivalence relation

Solution:

xRy need not imply yRx. S: Since qm = pn, mn ~ mn (reflexive). mn ~ pq implies qm = pn; pq ~ mn implies pn = qm. Thus mn ~ pq implies pq ~ mn (symmetric). mn ~ pq, pq ~ rs implies qm = pn, ps = rq. Then qmps = pnrs, and qm/n = p/q = r/s = k, some rational number. Thus, qm = pn = k, ps = rq = k. Then qs = pn/m = rq/p. Hence, ms = rntransitive. S is an equivalence relation.