Let S be the set of all real numbers. Show that the relation R = {(a, b) : a2 + b2 = 1} is symmetric but neither reflexive nor transitive.

Given that, a, b S, R = {(a, b) : a2 + b2 = 1 }


Now,


R is Reflexive if (a,a) R a S


For any a S, we have


a2+a2 = 2 a2 ≠ 1


(a,a) R


Thus, R is not reflexive.


R is Symmetric if (a,b) R (b,a) R a,b S


(a,b) R


a2 + b2 = 1


b2 + a2 = 1


(b,a) R


Thus, R is symmetric .


R is Transitive if (a,b) R and (b,c) R (a,c) R a,b,c S


Let (a,b) R and (b,c) R a, b,c S


a2 + b2 = 1 and b2 + c2 = 1


Adding both, we get


a2+ c2+2b2 = 2


a2+ c2= 2-2b2 ≠ 1


(a, c) R


Thus, R is not transitive.


Thus, R is symmetric but neither reflexive nor transitive.


1