Mathematics I / Relations and Equivalence
Practice question · Put in order

Order the steps that verify 'has the same parity as' is an equivalence relation.

Hints
  1. The three properties are checked in their standard order before concluding.
  2. The conclusion comes only after all three are established.
Show the answer
  1. Reflexive: every integer has the same parity as itself
  2. Symmetric: if a and b share a parity, then b and a do too
  3. Transitive: if a matches b and b matches c, then a matches c
  4. All three properties hold, so the relation is an equivalence relation
Why

Verification is mechanical: check reflexivity, symmetry and transitivity in turn, then conclude. Skipping any one of them leaves the conclusion unearned, and it is transitivity that most often fails in practice.

Read the lesson: Relations and Equivalence →

Practise Relations and Equivalence

The app has 5 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Mathematics I is free to start.

More questions on Relations and Equivalence