MT1810 Exercise Sheet 8

1. The four diagrams on the next page show relations on the set {1, 2, 3}: an arrow is
drawn from x to y if and only if x ∼ y. A loop is drawn on x if and only if x ∼ x.

(a) For each relation state whether it is (i) reflexive, (ii) symmetric, and (iii)
transitive. Justify your answers briefly.
(b) Define four further relations on the set {1, 2, 3} that have each of the
four remaining combinations of the properties reflexive, symmetric and
transitive.

2. In each case below, decide whether ∼ is an equivalence relation on R. If the answer

is yes, prove that ∼ is an equivalence relation and describe [ 23 ], the equivalence class
containing the number 32 . If the answer is no, prove that ∼ is not an equivalence
relation.

(a) x1 ∼ x2 means x1 − x2 is an integer.

(b) x1 ∼ x2 means x1 x2 ≥ 0.
(c) x1 ∼ x2 means bx1 c = bx2 c.
(d) x1 ∼ x2 means x1 − x2 ≤ 0.

3. Let a relation ∼ on C be defined by

z ∼ w ⇐⇒ |z| = |w|.

(a) Prove that ∼ is an equivalence relation.

(b) Draw the equivalence classes [2i], [eiπ/3 ] and [0] on an Argand diagram.

4. (a) Make a table showing the remainder of 2n on division by 11 for n =

0, 1, 2, . . . , 11, 12. [Hint: if 2n ≡ r (mod 11) then 2n+1 ≡ 2r (mod 11).]
(b) Find 22014 (mod 11).
(c) Find all solutions n ∈ N to the equation 2n ≡ 9 (mod 11).

5. (a) Find an integer n such that 0 ≤ n < 5 and n ≡ 2013 (mod 5).
(b) Find an integer n such that −5 ≤ n < 0 and n ≡ 2013 (mod 5).
(c) Find all integers k such that 2k ≡ 1 (mod 5).
(d) Does the congruence 3n ≡ 7 (mod 9) have a solution n ∈ Z? Justify your
answer.

Brain teaser An aircraft has exactly 100 seats for passengers, and 100 people are due to
travel on a flight. The first person in the queue to get on the plane has forgotten their seat
number, and so sits in one of the seats at random. The remaining 99 people all know their seat
numbers and so if their seat is not taken by the time they get to the front of the queue, they
sit in it. If their seat is taken, they are too shy to complain and so they sit in a free seat which
they choose at random. What is the probability that the 100th person sits in their own seat?
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