Transitive Relations on Finite Sets of Size n

Thread starter Dragonfall
Start date Dec 4, 2009
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In summary, transitive relations are a type of mathematical relation between two elements in a set, where if A is related to B and B is related to C, then A is also related to C. A finite set is a set with a limited number of elements, while "size n" refers to the number of elements in the set. Studying transitive relations on finite sets of size n is important in mathematics and computer science, as it helps us understand relationships and solve complex problems more efficiently. Transitive relations can also exist on infinite sets, but finite sets are easier to study and analyze.

Dec 4, 2009

Dragonfall

How many transitive binary relations are there on a finite set of size n?

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Dec 4, 2009

Robbert

There's no direct formula to calculate that, as far as I know. See http://algo.inria.fr/csolve/posets.pdf for some details.

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017

Related to Transitive Relations on Finite Sets of Size n

What are transitive relations?

Transitive relations are a type of mathematical relation that exists between two elements of a set. It means that if element A is related to element B, and element B is related to element C, then element A is also related to element C. In other words, if A is connected to B and B is connected to C, then A is also indirectly connected to C.

What is a finite set?

A finite set is a set that has a limited or definite number of elements. This means that the set has a specific number of elements and it is not infinite. For example, the set {1, 2, 3, 4} is a finite set because it has only 4 elements.

What does "size n" mean in the context of finite sets?

In the context of finite sets, "size n" refers to the number of elements in the set. The letter "n" is used as a placeholder for any number, so "size n" means that the set has a specific number of elements, but the exact number is not specified.

What is the significance of studying transitive relations on finite sets of size n?

Studying transitive relations on finite sets of size n is important in mathematics and computer science. It helps us understand the relationships between different elements in a set and can be applied in various fields such as graph theory, logic, and database management. It also allows us to analyze and solve complex problems more efficiently, making it a valuable tool in problem-solving and decision-making.

Can transitive relations exist on infinite sets?

Yes, transitive relations can exist on infinite sets. In fact, many real-world examples involve infinite sets, such as the relation "is a parent of" between all human beings. However, it is easier to study and analyze transitive relations on finite sets because they have a defined number of elements, making it easier to identify and understand the relationships between them.