# How can I prove that $R$ is an equivalence relation in $A$? [closed]

Given the set $A = \{10, 11, 12,. . . , 30\}$ containing the integers between $10$ and $30$,

consider the relationship $R$:

$$x R y \iff \text{the first digit of } x \text{ is equal to the first digit of } y.$$

How can I prove that $R$ is an equivalence relation in $A$?

## closed as off-topic by José Carlos Santos, ahulpke, Sahiba Arora, Arnaud Mortier, Dietrich BurdeFeb 11 '18 at 20:17

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• What did you try? – José Carlos Santos Feb 11 '18 at 10:51
• By showing R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive. How could it be any simpler? – William Elliot Feb 11 '18 at 11:00

First of all , an equivalence relation is a relation that is transitive, symmetric as well as reflexive. Also a relation on A means that the relation R is from the set A to the set A itself.

First, the first digit of any number is obviously equal to its own first digit, hence the relation is reflexive.

Secondly, Consider 2 elements whose first digits are same , say a and b. Again, it is clear that the first digit of b and a are also same, hence it is a symmetric relation

Lastly, Suppose 2 elements a and b have the same first digit and so do two elements b and c. Clearly, the first digit of a and c are also equal each being equal to the first digit of b. Hence, R is transitive

Finally since the relation is symmetric, transitive as well as reflexive, the relation R is an equivalence relation

• The partition of $A$ given by the relation $R$ is $(10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19),(20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29),(30)$? – user530133 Feb 11 '18 at 11:10

This relation is associated to the partition of the given set: $$\{10,11,12,\dots,30\}= \{10,11,\dots,19\}\cup\{20,21,\dots,29\}\cup\{30\}.$$