# Relation: pairwise and mutually

1. Suppose we can define a relation $R$ over the sets $X_1, …, X_k$ for any natural number $k$, note not specified for a particular $k$. I was wondering if there is some definition or conditions concerning the following situation:

For any natural number $k$, and any elements $\{ x_1 \in X_1, …, x_k \in X_k \}$, existence of the relation for any two of the elements and existence of the relation for these $k$ elements imply each other? In other words, existence of pairwise relation and existence of mutual relation are equivalent?

2. For example,

In probability theory, for a (finite, countably infinite, uncountably infinite) set of events, mutual independence implies pairwise independence, but pairwise independence does not imply mutual independence. I was wondering why? Specifically what kind of property does measure space lack to make the two equivalent?

Thanks and regards!

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Here's a link to a relevant Wikipedia section: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_independence#More_than_two_events –  Rhubbarb Aug 28 '13 at 12:27
I think that with a second part you provide a counterexample for a first part of your question. I will say, that the case with independence (when pairwise do not imply mutual) is a "usual" (general) case while implication is a special case. I think it's natural to find properties which leads to the implication $pairwise\to mutual$ than vice-versa like you are trying.
On the other hand for the relations $=$ and $\neq$ admit this implication, so transitivity is not necessary.
$\neq$ is not transitive. But for this relation an implication does hold. –  Ilya Apr 13 '11 at 19:56