Closure of Relations

Closure of Relations: In mathematics, especially in the context of set theory and algebra, the closure of relations is a crucial concept. It involves extending a given relation to include additional elements based on specific properties, such as reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity.

Understanding the closure of relations is essential in fields like computer science, database theory, and formal logic, where relational structures are frequently analyzed and manipulated.

What is the Closure of Relations?

A relation R on a set A is a subset of the Cartesian product A×A. It consists of ordered pairs of elements from A. The closure of a relation refers to the smallest relation that contains R and satisfies certain properties.

Types of Closure

1. Reflexive Closure

The reflexive closure of a relation R on a set A is the smallest relation R′ that contains R and is reflexive. This means that every element in A is related to itself.

Formula: R′ = R ∪ {(a,a) ∣ a ∈ A}

Example: Let A = {1,2} and R={(1,2)}. The reflexive closure of R is: R′ = {(1,2),(1,1),(2,2)}.

2. Symmetric Closure

The symmetric closure of a relation R on a set A is the smallest relation R′ that contains R and is symmetric. This means that if (a,b) ∈ R′, then (b,a) ∈ R′

Formula: R′ = R ∪ {(b,a) ∣ (a,b) ∈ R}

Example: Let A = {1,2} and R = {(1,2)}. The symmetric closure of R is: R′ = {(1,2),(2,1)}.

3. Transitive Closure

The transitive closure of a relation R on a set A is the smallest relation R′ that contains R and is transitive. This means that if (a,b) ∈ R and (b,c) ∈ R′, then (a,c) ∈ R′

Algorithm (Warshall’s Algorithm)

1. Initialize R′ = R.
2. For each (a,b) ∈ R′ and (b,c) ∈ R, add (a,c) to R′.

Example:

Let A = {1,2,3} and R = {(1,2),(2,3)}. The transitive closure of R is:

R′ = {(1,2),(2,3),(1,3)}.

Applications in Engineering

1. Database Theory

In database theory, the closure of relations is used in query optimization and integrity constraints.

Example: Ensuring that a database relation maintains transitive dependencies helps in normalizing the database and reducing redundancy.

2. Computer Networks

Closure of relations helps in network routing algorithms to ensure that connections are efficiently managed.

Example: Using the transitive closure to find the shortest path in a network by considering all possible routes.

3. Formal Verification

In formal methods, closure properties are used to verify the correctness of systems and protocols.

Example: Verifying that a system maintains certain properties under all possible transitions can be achieved by computing the transitive closure of the state transition relation.

4. Compiler Design

Closure properties are used in data flow analysis to optimize and validate code.

Example: Using the transitive closure in reaching definitions analysis to determine all definitions that can reach a particular point in the code.

5. Social Network Analysis

In social network analysis, closure properties help understand the reachability and influence within a network.

Example: Computing the transitive closure to find all indirect connections between individuals in a social network.

Sample Problems on Closure of Relations

Example 1: Find Reflexive Closure

Given: R = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4)} on set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}

To find the reflexive closure, we need to add all pairs (a,a) that are missing from R for all a ∈ A.

Reflexive closure of R = R ∪ {(1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)}

= {(1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (2,3), (3,3), (3,4), (4,4)}

Example 2: Find Symmetric Closure

Given: R = {(1,2), (2,3), (1,3)} on set A = {1, 2, 3}

To find the symmetric closure, we need to add (b,a) for every (a,b) in R.

Symmetric closure of R = R ∪ {(2,1), (3,2), (3,1)}

= {(1,2), (2,1), (2,3), (3,2), (1,3), (3,1)}

Example 3: Find Transitive Closure

Given: R = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4)} on set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}

To find the transitive closure, we need to add all pairs (a,c) where (a,b) and (b,c) are in R.

Step 1: R⁰ = R = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4)}

Step 2: R¹ = R⁰ ∪ {(1,3)} (because (1,2) and (2,3) are in R⁰)

Step 3: R² = R¹ ∪ {(1,4), (2,4)} (because (1,3) and (3,4), and (2,3) and (3,4) are in R¹)

Step 4: R³ = R² (no new pairs added)

Therefore, the transitive closure of R is:

{(1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (1,3), (1,4), (2,4)}

Example 4: Find All Closures Combined

Given: R = {(1,2), (2,1)} on set A = {1, 2, 3}

Reflexive Closure:

R ∪ {(1,1), (2,2), (3,3)} = {(1,1), (1,2), (2,1), (2,2), (3,3)}

Symmetric Closure:

R is already symmetric

Transitive Closure:

R is already transitive

Reflexive, Symmetric, and Transitive Closure:

{(1,1), (1,2), (2,1), (2,2), (3,3)}

Example 5 : Let R be a relation on set A = {1, 2, 3} defined as R = {(1,2), (2,3)}.Find the reflexive closure:

To find the reflexive closure:

Add all pairs (a,a) for each element a in A that are not already in R.

Reflexive closure = R ∪ {(1,1), (2,2), (3,3)}

Final result: {(1,2), (2,3), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3)}

Practice Problems on Closure of Relations

• 1).Find the reflexive closure of R = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,1)} on set A = {1, 2, 3}.
• 2).Determine the symmetric closure of R = {(a,b), (b,c), (c,d)} on set A = {a, b, c, d}.
• 3).Calculate the transitive closure of R = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4)} on set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}.
• 4).Find the reflexive and symmetric closure of R = {(x,y), (y,z)} on set A = {x, y, z}.
• 5).Determine the transitive closure of R = {(a,b), (b,c), (c,a), (a,d)} on set A = {a, b, c, d}.
• 6).Calculate the reflexive, symmetric, and transitive closure of R = {(1,2), (2,3)} on set A = {1, 2, 3}.
• 7).Find the symmetric closure of R = {(1,1), (1,2), (2,3), (3,1)} on set A = {1, 2, 3}.
• 8).Determine the reflexive closure of R = {(a,b), (b,a), (b,c), (c,c)} on set A = {a, b, c}.
• 9).Calculate the transitive closure of R = {(1,2), (2,1), (2,3), (3,4)} on set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}.
• 10).Find the reflexive and transitive closure of R = {(x,y), (y,z), (z,x)} on set A = {x, y, z}.

Summary

The closure of relations is a powerful tool in mathematics and computer science, providing a means to extend relations to satisfy important properties like reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity. These concepts have wide-ranging applications in database theory, network routing, formal verification, compiler design, and social network analysis. Understanding and applying the closure of relations allows for more efficient and accurate modeling and analysis of complex systems.

Related Articles:

• Functional Dependency and Attribute Closure
• Closure of Relations
• Relations in Mathematics

FAQs on Closure of Relations

What is the reflexive closure of a relation?

The reflexive closure of a relation R is the smallest relation that contains R and includes all pairs (a,a) for each element a in the set.

How is the symmetric closure of a relation computed?

The symmetric closure of a relation R is computed by adding all pairs (b,a) for each pair (a,b) in R.

What is the purpose of the transitive closure?

The transitive closure of a relation ensures that if (a,b) and (b,c) are in the relation, then (a,c) is also included, making the relation transitive.

How is the transitive closure used in database theory?

In database theory, the transitive closure is used to maintain and enforce transitive dependencies, aiding in database normalization and query optimization.

What algorithm is commonly used to compute the transitive closure?

Warshall’s Algorithm is commonly used to compute the transitive closure of a relation by iteratively adding pairs to ensure transitivity.

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Article Tags :

• Engineering Mathematics
• GATE CS
• Discrete Mathematics