Mark the tick against the correct answer in the following:
Let $R$ be a relation on the set $N$ of all natural numbers, defined by $a R b \Leftrightarrow a$ is a factor of $b$. Then, $R$ is
A. reflexive and symmetric but not transitive
B. reflexive and transitive but not symmetric
C. symmetric and transitive but not reflexive
D. an equivalence relation
According to the question,
Given set $N=\{1,2,3,4 \ldots \ldots\}$
And $R=\{(a, b): a, b \in N$ and $a$ is a factor of $b\}$
Formula
For a relation $\mathrm{R}$ in set $\mathrm{A}$
Reflexive
The relation is reflexive if $(a, a) \in R$ for every $a \in A$
Symmetric
The relation is Symmetric if $(a, b) \in R$, then $(b, a) \in R$
Transitive
Relation is Transitive if $(a, b) \in R \&(b, c) \in R$, then $(a, c) \in R$
Equivalence
If the relation is reflexive, symmetric and transitive, it is an equivalence relation.
Check for reflexive
Consider , $(\mathrm{a}, \mathrm{a})$
$\mathrm{a}$ is a factor of a
$(2,2),(3,3) \ldots(a, a)$ where $a \in N$
Therefore , R is reflexive ……. (1)
Check for symmetric
$a R b \Rightarrow a$ is factor of $b$
b $\mathrm{R} \mathrm{a} \Rightarrow \mathrm{b}$ is factor of a well
$E x_{-}(2,6) \in R$
But $(6,2) \notin \mathrm{R}$
Therefore , R is not symmetric ……. (2)
Check for transitive
$a \mathrm{R} b \Rightarrow a$ is factor of $b$
b $R c \Rightarrow b$ is a factor of $c$
$\mathrm{a} \mathrm{R} \mathrm{c} \Rightarrow \mathrm{b}$ is a factor of $\mathrm{c}$ also
Ex $(2,6),(6,18)$
$\therefore(2,18) \in \mathrm{R}$
Therefore , R is transitive ……. (3)
Now, according to the equations (1), (2), (3)
Correct option will be (B)