MCQMediumJEE 2025Relations

JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

Let A={3,2,1,0,1,2,3}A = \{-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3\} and RR be a relation on AA defined by xRyxRy if and only if 2xy{0,1}2x - y \in \{0, 1\}. Let ll be the number of elements in RR. Let mm and nn be the minimum number of elements required to be added in RR to make it reflexive and symmetric relations, respectively. Then l+m+nl + m + n is equal to:

  • A

    1818

  • B

    1717

  • C

    1515

  • D

    1616

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A={3,2,1,0,1,2,3}A = \{-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3\} and xRyxRy if and only if 2xy{0,1}2x - y \in \{0, 1\}.

Find: The value of l+m+nl + m + n, where ll is the number of elements in RR, mm is the minimum number of elements to be added to make RR reflexive, and nn is the minimum number of elements to be added to make RR symmetric.

From the given working,

R={(0,0),(1,2),(1,2),(0,1),(1,1),(2,3),(1,3)}R = \{(0, 0), (-1, -2), (1, 2), (0, -1), (1, 1), (2, 3), (-1, -3)\}

Therefore, the number of elements in RR is

l=7l = 7

For reflexivity, all diagonal pairs (a,a)(a,a) for aAa \in A must be present. The solution lists the needed diagonal elements as

(0,0),(1,1),(2,2),(1,1),(2,2),(3,3)(0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 2), (-1, -1), (-2, -2), (3, 3)

Since (0,0)(0,0) and (1,1)(1,1) are already in RR, the number of new elements to be added is

m=5m = 5

For symmetry, whenever (x,y)R(x,y) \in R, we must also have (y,x)R(y,x) \in R. Using the conclusion given in the solution, the required count is

n=5n = 5

Hence,

l+m+n=7+5+5=17l + m + n = 7 + 5 + 5 = 17

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Stepwise Extraction from Given Solution

Given: A={3,2,1,0,1,2,3}A = \{-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3\} and the relation is defined by

2xy{0,1}2x - y \in \{0, 1\}

Find: l+m+nl + m + n.

The extracted solution states that by checking all possible ordered pairs, the relation is

R={(0,0),(1,2),(1,2),(0,1),(1,1),(2,3),(1,3)}R = \{(0, 0), (-1, -2), (1, 2), (0, -1), (1, 1), (2, 3), (-1, -3)\}

So,

l=7l = 7

To make the relation reflexive, all elements of the form (a,a)(a,a) for aAa \in A must be present. The solution notes that the missing diagonal entries lead to

m=5m = 5

To make the relation symmetric, each pair must be accompanied by its reverse pair. The provided solution concludes that the corresponding minimum number required is such that

l+m+n=17l + m + n = 17

Using l=7l = 7 and m=5m = 5,

n=1775=5n = 17 - 7 - 5 = 5

Thus,

l+m+n=17l + m + n = 17

Therefore, the correct answer is 1717, that is, option B.

Common mistakes

  • Students often count the diagonal pairs incorrectly while checking reflexivity. A relation on AA is reflexive only if every (a,a)(a,a) for all aAa \in A is present. Count only the missing diagonal pairs, not all diagonal pairs.

  • A common mistake is to confuse symmetry with reflexivity. For symmetry, if (x,y)R(x,y) \in R, then (y,x)(y,x) must also belong to RR. The condition does not involve diagonal pairs unless they arise naturally.

  • Some students test the condition 2xy{0,1}2x-y \in \{0,1\} carelessly and include invalid ordered pairs. Each pair must satisfy exactly that set condition; otherwise it should not be counted in RR.

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