Concept:An equivalence relation on a set is one that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
Explanation:The given relation is
R={(1,1),(2,2),(3,3)} on the set
{1,2,3}.
Check reflexivity: For every
x∈{1,2,3}, the pair
(x,x) belongs to
R. Since all three are present,
R is reflexive.
Check symmetry: Whenever
(x,y)∈R, the reversed pair
(y,x) must also be in
R. All pairs are of the form
(x,x), so each reversed pair is the same and is present; thus
R is symmetric.
Check transitivity: Whenever
(x,y)∈R and
(y,z)∈R, the pair
(x,z) must be in
R. Again, only diagonal pairs exist, so any such composition yields
(x,x), which is in
R; therefore
R is transitive.
Since
R satisfies all three properties, it is an equivalence relation.
Answer:Option B – an equivalence relation.