[Math] Geometric description of equivalence classes.

equivalence-relationsplane-geometry

For $X = R^2$ define the relation $R$ on $X$ by $(x_1, y_1)R(x_2, y_2)$ if $x_1 = x_2$.

a). Verify that $R$ is an equivalence relation on $X$.

I've already shown that this is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. This isn't where my lack of understanding is.

b). Describe geometrically the equivalence classes of $R$.

My lack of understanding is here. The way that I see it, if we take any $x_i$ at a point $(x_i, y_1)$, under the relation $R$, the point $(x_i, y_1)$ translates to $(x_i, y_2)$ and $x_i$ remains the same. So we have a vertical line segment. And this is the same for any $x$ in $X$.

Any help would be appreciated.

Best Answer

Geometrically, I assume you meant $\mathbb{R}$, it is simply the set of verticle lines in the two dimensional plane. Another way you can also view it is that the equivalence relation collapses $\mathbb{R}^2$ to $\mathbb{R}$ and as such turn a plane into a line.

You can construct this to work forany line, having it point in any direction and not just verticle but the collapsing remains the same in all cases.

Related Question