Let R be a relation on the set N of natural numbers defined by R = {(a, b) : a = b²}. Then R is:

Let R be a relation on the set N of natural numbers defined by R = {(a, b) : a = b²}. Then R is:

• A. reflexive
• B. symmetric
• C. transitive
• D. neither reflexive nor symmetric nor transitive

Answer: D) neither reflexive nor symmetric nor transitive

Explanation: (2, 4) ∈ R since 2 = 4? No, 4 = 2², so (4, 2) ∈ R but (2, 4) ∉ R → not symmetric. 2 ≠ 2² so (2, 2) ∉ R → not reflexive. (16, 4) ∈ R and (4, 2) ∈ R but (16, 2) ∉ R as 16 ≠ 2² → not transitive.