Sets & Relations
Domain and range counts of finite relation
nta_pyq_2025_apr
Grade 12

Question:

Let $A = \{-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3\}$ and $R$ be a relation on $A$ defined by $xRy$ if and only if $2x - y \in \{0, 1\}$. Let $\ell$ be the number of elements in $R$. Let $m$ and $n$ be the minimum number of elements required to be added to $R$ to make it reflexive and symmetric relations, respectively. Then $\ell + m + n$ is equal to:
$18$
$17$
$15$
$16$

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: Translate the finite relation rule into explicit admissible ordered pairs and count the required set.
For the relation $xRy$ where $2x - y \in \{0, 1\}$: **Case 1: $2x - y = 0$ (i.e., $y = 2x$)** Pairs: $(0, 0)$, $(-1, -2)$, $(1, 2)$ **Case 2: $2x - y = 1$ (i.e., $y = 2x - 1$)** Pairs: $(0, -1)$, $(1, 1)$, $(2, 3)$, $(-1, -3)$ **Total pairs in $R$:** $\ell = 7$ pairs: $(0, 0)$, $(-1, -2)$, $(1, 2)$, $(0, -1)$, $(1, 1)$, $(2, 3)$, $(-1, -3)$ **For Reflexivity:** Required pairs: $(x, x)$ for all $x \in A$ Already in $R$: $(0, 0)$, $(1, 1)$ Need to add: $(-3, -3)$, $(-2, -2)$, $(-1, -1)$, $(2, 2)$, $(3, 3)$ Thus $m = 5$ **For Symmetry:** For each $(x, y) \in R$, we need $(y, x) \in R$ Pairs needing symmetric counterparts: $(-1, -2)$, $(1, 2)$, $(0, -1)$, $(2, 3)$, $(-1, -3)$ Required symmetric pairs: $(-2, -1)$, $(2, 1)$, $(-1, 0)$, $(3, 2)$, $(-3, -1)$ Thus $n = 5$ **Final Answer:** $\ell + m + n = 7 + 5 + 5 = 17$
Correct Answer: 2

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