Relations and Functions
NCERT Class 12 Mathematics Chapter 1: Relations and Functions (Pages 1–17)
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Summary of Relations and Functions
Relations and Functions at a Glance
CBSE
Class 12
Mathematics
Mathematics Part - I
1
1–17
7 study resources
Relations and Functions Summary
In this chapter, we delve into the foundational concepts of relations and functions, which are essential in the field of mathematics. We begin by defining what a relation is, explaining how it refers to a connection or link between two objects or quantities. For example, if we consider a set of students from two consecutive class levels, we can illustrate various relations, such as being siblings or having a specific age relationship. From these examples, we abstractly define a relation mathematically as a subset of ordered pairs forming a relation from one set to another. One of the critical distinctions made in the chapter is between general relations and functions. We clarify that a function is a particular type of relation where each input is linked to exactly one output. We categorize functions based on various criteria, like being one-one (injective) where distinct inputs produce distinct outputs, or onto (surjective) where every element in the output set is covered by inputs from the domain. We also discuss the composition of functions, illustrating how two functions can be combined such that the output of one becomes the input of another. This operation is fundamental for constructing new functions and understanding their behaviors. The concept of invertible functions is touched upon, explaining that a function is invertible if it is both one-one and onto, allowing us to reverse the operation, retrieving the original inputs from the outputs. Furthermore, we examine different types of relations, including reflexive, symmetric, and transitive properties. Reflexive relations require that every element is related to itself, while symmetric relations imply mutual connections between pairs, and transitive relations involve a chain relationship across multiple elements. Finally, we conclude with equivalence relations, which satisfy all three properties: reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. Such relations help us form equivalence classes, which group elements that share common properties. This study of relations and functions establishes a critical groundwork for understanding more complex mathematical concepts encountered in various mathematical disciplines.
