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Reflexive property

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A binary relation \mathcal R on a set S is said to be reflexive or to have the reflexive property if a{\mathcal R}a for all a \in S.

For example, the relation of similarity on the set of triangles in a plane is reflexive: every triangle is similar to itself. However, the relation \mathcal R on the real numbers given by x {\mathcal R} y if and only if x < y is not reflexive because x < x does not hold for at least one real value of x. (In fact, it does not hold for any real value of x, but we only need the weaker statement to disprove reflexivity.)

See also

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Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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