In: Advanced Math
Define d to be the set of all pairs (x,y) of natural numbers such that x divides y. Show that N is partially ordered by d. Define d analogously on Z. Is then d also a partial order on Z?
Given
So, is a relation over the set of all natural numbers. We have to show that is partially ordered by , that is, is a partial order relation on the set .
1. Every number divides itself, so
Hence the relation d is reflexive.
2. Let
that is, a divides b, and, b divides c, that is
Clearly, this implies that a divides c
Thus,
Therefore the relation d is transitive.
3. Now, let
That is, a divides b, and, b divides a. As a,b are natural numbers, this is only possible when they are equal. Hence
Therefore, the relation is antisymmetric.
Thus, from 1,2, and 3, we can say that is a partial order relation on .
However, this does not hold true when the underlying set changes to , the set of all integers. In this case, antisymmetry fails, because we can have numbers such as:-
such that
and
but clearly,
Hence, d fails to be a partial order on Z.