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Relations And Its Types

Relations and its types concepts are one of the important topics of set theory. Sets, relations and
functions all three are interlinked topics. Sets denote the collection of ordered elements whereas relations
and functions define the operations performed on sets.

The relations define the connection between the two given sets. Also, there are types of relations stating
the connections between the sets. Hence, here we will learn about relations and their types in detail.

Table of contents:

Definition
Types
Empty Relation
Universal Relation
Identity Relation
Inverse Relation
Reflexive Relation
Symmetric Relation
Transitive Relation
Equivalence Relation
Represenation

DORelations Definition
Ap NO
A relation in mathematics defines the relationship between two different sets of information. If two sets
are considered, the relation between them will be established if there is a connection between the
elements of two or more non-empty sets.

In the morning assembly at schools, students are supposed to stand in a queue in ascending order of the
heights of all the students. This defines an ordered relation between the students and their heights.

Therefore, we can say,

‘A set of ordered pairs is defined as a relation.’

This mapping depicts a relation from set A into set B. A relation from A to B is a subset of A x B. The
ordered pairs are (1,c),(2,n),(5,a),(7,n). For defining a relation, we use the notation where,

set {1, 2, 5, 7} represents the domain.

set {a, c, n} represents the range.

Sets and Relations

Sets and relation are interconnected with each other. The relation defines the relation between two given
sets.

If there are two sets available, then to check if there is any connection between the two sets, we use
relations.

For example, an empty relation denotes none of the elements in the two sets is same.

Let us discuss the other types of relations here.

Relations in Mathematics
In Maths, the relation is the relationship between two or more set of values.
Suppose, x and y are two sets of ordered pairs. And set x has relation with set y, then the values of set x
are called domain whereas the values of set y are called range.
Example: For ordered pairs={(1,2),(-3,4),(5,6),(-7,8),(9,2)}
The domain is = {-7,-3,1,5,9}
And range is = {2,4,6,8}

Types of Relations
There are 8 main types of relations which include:

Empty Relation

Universal Relation

Identity Relation

Inverse Relation

Reflexive Relation

Symmetric Relation

Transitive Relation

Equivalence Relation

Empty Relation
An empty relation (or void relation) is one in which there is no relation between any elements of a set. For
example, if set A = {1, 2, 3} then, one of the void relations can be R = {x, y} where, |x – y| = 8. For empty
relation,

R=φ⊂A×A

Universal Relation
A universal (or full relation) is a type of relation in which every element of a set is related to each other.
Consider set A = {a, b, c}. Now one of the universal relations will be R = {x, y} where, |x – y| ≥ 0. For
universal relation,

R=A×A

Identity Relation
In an identity relation, every element of a set is related to itself only. For example, in a set A = {a, b, c}, the
identity relation will be I = {a, a}, {b, b}, {c, c}. For identity relation,

I = {(a, a), a ∈ A}

Inverse Relation
Inverse relation is seen when a set has elements which are inverse pairs of another set. For example if set
A = {(a, b), (c, d)}, then inverse relation will be R-1 = {(b, a), (d, c)}. So, for an inverse relation,

R-1 = {(b, a): (a, b) ∈ R}

Reflexive Relation
In a reflexive relation, every element maps to itself. For example, consider a set A = {1, 2,}. Now an
example of reflexive relation will be R = {(1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 2), (2, 1)}. The reflexive relation is given by-

(a, a) ∈ R

Symmetric Relation
In a symmetric relation, if a=b is true then b=a is also true. In other words, a relation R is symmetric only if
(b, a) ∈ R is true when (a,b) ∈ R. An example of symmetric relation will be R = {(1, 2), (2, 1)} for a set A = {1,
2}. So, for a symmetric relation,

aRb ⇒ bRa, ∀ a, b ∈ A

Transitive Relation
For transitive relation, if (x, y) ∈ R, (y, z) ∈ R, then (x, z) ∈ R. For a transitive relation,

aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A

Equivalence Relation
If a relation is reflexive, symmetric and transitive at the same time, it is known as an equivalence relation.

Video Lesson

Representation of Types of Relations

Relation Type Condition

Empty Relation R=φ⊂A×A

Universal Relation R=A×A

Identity Relation I = {(a, a), a ∈ A}

Inverse Relation R-1 = {(b, a): (a, b) ∈ R}

Reflexive Relation (a, a) ∈ R

Symmetric Relation aRb ⇒ bRa, ∀ a, b ∈ A

Transitive Relation aRb and bRc ⇒ aRc ∀ a, b, c ∈ A

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Relations and Functions

“Relations and Functions” are the most important topics in algebra. Relations and functions – these are
the two different words having different meanings mathematically. You might get confused about their
difference. Before we go deeper, let’s understand the difference between both with a simple example.

An ordered pair is represented as (INPUT, OUTPUT):

The relation shows the relationship between INPUT and OUTPUT. Whereas, a function is a relation which
derives one OUTPUT for each given INPUT.

Note: All functions are relations, but not all relations are functions.
In this section, you will find the basics of the topic – definition of functions and relations, special
functions, different types of relations and some of the solved examples.

What is a Function?
A function is a relation which describes that there should be only one output for each input (or) we can say
that a special kind of relation (a set of ordered pairs), which follows a rule i.e., every X-value should be
associated with only one y-value is called a function.

For example:

Domain Range

-1 -3

1 3

3 9

Let us also look at the definition of Domain and Range of a function.

Domain It is a collection of the first values in the ordered pair (Set of all input (x) values).

Range It is a collection of the second values in the ordered pair (Set of all output (y) values).

Example:

In the relation, {(-2, 3), {4, 5), (6, -5), (-2, 3)},

The domain is {-2, 4, 6} and range is {-5, 3, 5}.

Note: Don’t consider duplicates while writing the domain and range and also write it in increasing order.

Types of Functions
In terms of relations, we can define the types of functions as:

One to one function or Injective function: A function f: P → Q is said to be one to one if for each
element of P there is a distinct element of Q.
Many to one function: A function which maps two or more elements of P to the same element of
set Q.
Onto Function or Surjective function: A function for which every element of set Q there is pre-image
in set P
One-one correspondence or Bijective function: The function f matches with each element of P with
a discrete element of Q and every element of Q has a pre-image in P.

Read here:

One To One Function

Onto Function
Bijective Function

Special Functions in Algebra

Some of the important functions are as follow:

Constant Function
Identity Function
Linear Function
Absolute Value Function
Inverse Functions

What is the Relation?

It is a subset of the Cartesian product. Or simply, a bunch of points (ordered pairs). In other words, the
relation between the two sets is defined as the collection of the ordered pair, in which the ordered pair is
formed by the object from each set.

Example: {(-2, 1), (4, 3), (7, -3)}, usually written in set notation form with curly brackets.

Relation Representation
There are other ways too to write the relation, apart from set notation such as through tables, plotting it on
XY- axis or through mapping diagram.
 p

Functions and Types of Functions

Functions are relations where each input has a particular output. This lesson covers the concepts of
functions in mathematics and the different types of functions using various examples for better
understanding.

Contents Related to Functions

Functions
Limits, Continuity and Differentiability
Differentiation
Applications of Derivatives
What are Functions in Mathematics?
A function is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that
each input is related to exactly one output. Let A & B be any two non-empty sets; mapping from A to B will
be a function only when every element in set A has one end, only one image in set B.

Example:

Another definition of functions is that it is a relation “f” in which each element of set “A” is mapped with
only one element belonging to set “B”. Also in a function, there can’t be two pairs with the same first
element.

A Condition for a Function:

Set A and Set B should be non-empty.

In a function, a particular input is given to get a particular output. So, A function f: A->B denotes that f is a
function from A to B, where A is a domain and B is a co-domain.

For an element, a, which belongs to A, a ∈ A, a unique element b, b ∈ B is there such that (a,b) ∈ f.

The unique element b to which f relates a, is denoted by f(a) and is called f of a, or the value of f at a, or
the image of a under f.

The range of f (image of a under f)

It is the set of all values of f(x) taken together.
Range of f = { y ∈ Y | y = f (x), for some x in X}
A real-valued function has either P or any one of its subsets as its range. Further, if its domain is also
either P or a subset of P, it is called a real function.

Vertical Line Test:

Vertical line test is used to determine whether a curve is a function or not. If any curve cuts a vertical line
at more than one points then the curve is not a function.

Representation of Functions
Functions are generally represented as f(x).

Let , f(x) = x3.

It is said as f of x is equal to x cube.

Functions can also be represented by g(), t(),… etc.

Steps for Solving Functions

Question: Find the output of the function g(t) = 6t2 + 5 at

(i) t = 0

(ii) t = 2

Solution:

The given function is g(t) = 6t2 + 5

(i) At t = 0, g(0) = 6(0)2 + 5 = 5

(ii) At t = 2, g(2) = 6(2)2 + 5 = 29

Types of Functions
There are various types of functions in mathematics which are explained below in detail. The different
function types covered here are:

One – one function (Injective function)

Many – one function
Onto – function (Surjective Function)
Into – function
Polynomial function
Linear Function
Identical Function
Quadratic Function
Rational Function
Algebraic Functions
Cubic Function
Modulus Function
Signum Function
Greatest Integer Function
Fractional Part Function
Even and Odd Function
Periodic Function
Composite Function
Constant Function
Identity Function
Practice: Find the missing equations from the above graphs.

Functions – Video Lessons

Functions and Types of Functions

One – one function (Injective function)
If each element in the domain of a function has a distinct image in the co-domain, the function is said to
be one – one function.
For examples f; R R given by f(x) = 3x + 5 is one – one.

Many – one function

On the other hand, if there are at least two elements in the domain whose images are same, the function is
known as many to one.

For example f : R R given by f(x) = x2 + 1 is many one.

Onto – function (Surjective Function)

A function is called an onto function if each element in the co-domain has at least one pre – image in the
domain.

Into – function
If there exists at least one element in the co-domain which is not an image of any element in the domain
then the function will be Into function.

(Q) Let A = {x : 1 < x < 1} = B be a mapping f : A B, find the nature of the given function (P). F(x) = |x|
 f (x) = |1|

Solution for x = 1 & -1

Hence, it is many one the Range of f(x) from [-1, 1] is [0, 1], which is not equal to the co-domain.

Hence, it is into function.

Lets say we have function,

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)=\left\{\begin{matrix} x^2 & ; & x\geq 0\\ -x^2 & ; & x<0 \end{matrix}\right.\end{array}
\)
For different values of Input, we have different output hence it is one – one function also it manage is
equal to its co-domain hence it is onto also.

Polynomial function
A real-valued function f : P → P defined by

\(\begin{array}{l}y = f(a) = h_{0}+h_{1}a+…..+h_{n}a^{n}\end{array} \)

, where n ∈ N and h0 + h1 + … + hn ∈ P, for each a ∈ P, is called polynomial function.
N = a non-negative integer.
The degree of the Polynomial function is the highest power in the expression.
If the degree is zero, it’s called a constant function.
If the degree is one, it’s called a linear function. Example: b = a+1.
 Graph type: Always a straight line.

So, a polynomial function can be expressed as :

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)= a_{n}x^{n}+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+…..+a_{1}x^{1}+a_{0}\end{array} \)
The highest power in the expression is known as the degree of the polynomial function. The different
types of polynomial functions based on the degree are:

1. The polynomial function is called a Constant function if the degree is zero.

2. The polynomial function is called a Linear if the degree is one.
3. The polynomial function is Quadratic if the degree is two.
4. The polynomial function is Cubic if the degree is three.

Linear Function
All functions in the form of ax + b where a, b ∈ R & a ≠ 0 are called linear functions. The graph will be a
straight line. In other words, a linear polynomial function is a first-degree polynomial where the input needs
to be multiplied by m and added to c. It can be expressed by f(x) = mx + c.

For example, f(x) = 2x + 1 at x = 1

f(1) = 2.1 + 1 = 3

f(1) = 3

Another example of linear function is y = x + 3

Identical Function
Two functions f and g are said to be identical if

(a) The domain of f = domain of g

(b) The range of f = the Range of g

(c) f(x) = g(x) ∀ x ∈ Df & Dg

For example f(x) = x

\(\begin{array}{l}g(x) = \frac{1}{1/x}\end{array} \)
Solution: f(x) = x is defined for all x

But

\(\begin{array}{l}g(x) = \frac{1}{1/x}\end{array} \)
is not defined of x = 0
Hence it is identical for x ∈ R – {0}

Quadratic Function
All functions in the form of y = ax2 + bx + c where a, b, c ∈ R, a ≠ 0 will be known as Quadratic function.
The graph will be parabolic.

\(\begin{array}{l}\text{At}\ x=\frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2}\end{array} \)

, we will get its maximum on minimum value depends on the leading coefficient and that value will be -
D/4a (where D = Discriminant)
In simpler terms,

A Quadratic polynomial function is a second degree polynomial, and it can be expressed as;

F(x) = ax2 + bx + c, and a is not equal to zero.

Where a, b, c are constant, and x is a variable.

Example, f(x) = 2x2 + x – 1 at x = 2

If x = 2, f(2) = 2.22 + 2 – 1 = 9

2
For Example: y = x2

Read More: Quadratic Function Formula

Rational Function
These are the real functions of the type

\(\begin{array}{l}\frac{f(a)}{g(a)}\end{array} \)
where f (a) and g (a) are polynomial functions of a defined in a domain, where g(a) ≠ 0.
For example f : P – {– 6} → P defined by
\(\begin{array}{l}f(a) = \frac{f(a+1)}{g(a+2)}\forall a\in P – {-6},\end{array} \)
is a rational function.
Graph type: Asymptotes (the curves touching the axes lines).

Algebraic Functions
An algebraic equation is known as a function that consists of a finite number of terms involving powers
and roots of independent variable x and fundamental operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.

For Example,

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)=5x^{3}-2x^{2}+3x+6\end{array} \)
,
\(\begin{array}{l}g(x)=\frac{\sqrt{3x+4}}{(x-1)^{2}}\end{array} \)
.

Cubic Function
A cubic polynomial function is a polynomial of degree three and can be expressed as;

F(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d and a is not equal to zero.

In other words, any function in the form of f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, d ∈ R & a ≠ 0

For example: y = x3

Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ R

Modulus Function
The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = |a| = a when a ≥ 0. and f(a) = -a when a < 0 ∀ a ∈ P is called
the modulus function.

Domain of f = P
Range of f = P+ U {0}

\(\begin{array}{l}y=|x|=\left\{\begin{matrix} x & x\geq 0\\ -x & x<0 \end{matrix}\right.\end{array} \)

Domain: R

Range: [0, ∞)

Signum Function
The real function f : P → P is defined by

\(\begin{array}{l}\left\{\begin{matrix}\frac{\left | f(a) \right |}{f(a)}, a\neq 0 \\ 0, a=0 \end{matrix}\right. =

\left\{\begin{matrix} 1,if x>0\\ 0, if x=0\\ -1, if x<0\end{matrix}\right.\end{array} \)
is called the signum function or sign function. (gives the sign of real number)

Domain of f = P
Range of f = {1, 0, – 1}

For example: signum (100) = 1

signum (log 1) = 0

signum (x21) =1

Greatest Integer Function

The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = [a], a ∈ P assumes the value of the greatest integer less than
or equal to a, is called the greatest integer function.

Thus f (a) = [a] = – 1 for – 1 ⩽ a < 0

f (a) = [a] = 0 for 0 ⩽ a < 1
[a] = 1 for 1 ⩽ a < 2
[a] = 2 for 2 ⩽ a < 3 and so on…

The greatest integer function always gives integral output. The Greatest integral value that has been taken
by the input will be the output.

For example: [4.5] = 4

[6.99] = 6
[1.2] = 2
Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ Integers

Fractional Part Function

{x} = x – [x]

It always gives fractional value as output.

For example:- {4.5} = 4.5 – [4.5]

= 4.5 – 4 = 0.5

{6.99} = 6.99 – [6.99]

= 6.99 – 6 = 0.99

{7} = 7 – [7] = 7 –7 = 0

Even and Odd Function

If f(x) = f(-x) then the function will be even function & f(x) = -f(-x) then the function will be odd function

Example 1:

f(x) = x2sinx

f(-x) = -x2sinx

Here, f(x) = -f(-x)

It is an odd function.

Example 2:

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)={{x}^{2}}\end{array} \)
and

\(\begin{array}{l}f(-x)={{x}^{2}}\end{array} \)
f(x) = f(-x)

It is an even function.

Periodic Function
A function is said to be a periodic function if a positive real number T exists, such that f(u – t) = f(x) for all
x ε Domain.
For example f(x) = sin x

f(x + 2π) = sin (x + 2π) = sin x fundamental

then period of sin x is 2π

Composite Function
Let A, B, C be three non-empty sets

Let f: A → B & g : G → C be two functions, then gof : A → C. This function is called the composition of f
and g given gof (x) = g(f(x)).

For example f(x) = x2 & g(x) = 2x

f(g(x)) = f(2x) = (2x)2 = 4x2

g(f(x)) = g(x2) = 2x2

Constant Function
The function f : P → P is defined by b = f (x) = D, a ∈ P, where D is a constant ∈ P, is a constant function.

Domain of f = P
Range of f = {D}
Graph type: A straight line which is parallel to the x-axis.

In simple words, the polynomial of 0th degree where f(x) = f(0) = a0 = c. Regardless of the input, the output
always results in a constant value. The graph for this is a horizontal line.

Identity Function
P= set of real numbers

The function f : P → P defined by b = f (a) = a for each a ∈ P is called the identity function.

Domain of f = P
Range of f = P
Graph type: A straight line passing through the origin.

Functions Video