Let A = {1, 2, 3}. Then number of equivalence relations containing (1, 2) is

Question:

Let $A=\{1,2,3\}$. Then number of equivalence relations containing $(1,2)$ is

(A) 1

(B) 2

(C) 3

(D) 4

Solution:

It is given that A = {1, 2, 3}.

The smallest equivalence relation containing (1, 2) is given by,

$R_{1}=\{(1,1),(2,2),(3,3),(1,2),(2,1)\}$

Now, we are left with only four pairs i.e., (2, 3), (3, 2), (1, 3), and (3, 1).

If we odd any one pair [say $(2,3)]$ to $R_{1}$, then for symmetry we must add $(3,2)$. Also, for transitivity we are required to add $(1,3)$ and $(3,1)$.

Hence, the only equivalence relation (bigger than $R_{1}$ ) is the universal relation.

This shows that the total number of equivalence relations containing (1, 2) is two.

The correct answer is B.

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