Analyzing the Reflexive Property
A relation R is reflexive if every element relates to itself. For any integer x∈Z, we must determine if (x,x)∈R.
By definition, this requires checking if the sum x+x is even. Since x+x=2x, and any integer multiplied by 2 results in an even number, the condition holds.
Thus, the relation is reflexive.
Analyzing the Symmetric Property
The symmetric property requires that if x is related to y, then y must be related to x. Suppose (x,y)∈R, which implies that x+y is even.
Because addition is commutative, we know that:
x+y=y+x
Since x+y is even, y+x must also be even. Therefore, (y,x)∈R, and the relation is symmetric.
Analyzing the Transitive Property
Transitivity requires that if
(x,y)∈R and
(y,z)∈R, then
(x,z)∈R. We start with the following equations for some integers
k1 and
k2:
x+y=2k1
y+z=2k2
Adding these two equations together, we obtain:
(x+y)+(y+z)=2k1+2k2
x+2y+z=2(k1+k2)
To determine if
x+z is even, we isolate the term:
x+z=2(k1+k2)−2y
x+z=2(k1+k2−y)
Since k1, k2, and y are integers, their combination K=(k1+k2−y) is also an integer. This confirms that x+z=2K, meaning x+z is even.
Thus, (x,z)∈R, and the relation is transitive.
Conclusion
Because the relation R is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive, it is formally classified as an equivalence relation.
This relation effectively partitions the set of integers Z into two distinct equivalence classes: the set of even integers and the set of odd integers.