Definition:Congruence Relation
Definition
Let $\struct {S, \circ}$ be an algebraic structure.
Let $\RR$ be an equivalence relation on $S$.
Then $\RR$ is a congruence relation for $\circ$ if and only if:
- $\forall x_1, x_2, y_1, y_2 \in S: \paren {x_1 \mathrel \RR x_2} \land \paren {y_1 \mathrel \RR y_2} \implies \paren {x_1 \circ y_1} \mathrel \RR \paren {x_2 \circ y_2}$
Also known as
Such an equivalence relation $\RR$ is also described as compatible with $\circ$.
Examples
Equal Fourth Powers over $\C$ for Multiplication
Let $\C$ denote the set of complex numbers.
Let $\RR$ denote the equivalence relation on $\C$ defined as:
- $\forall w, z \in \C: z \mathrel \RR w \iff z^4 = w^4$
Then $\RR$ is a congruence relation for multiplication on $\C$.
Equal Fourth Powers over $\C$ for Addition
Let $\C$ denote the set of complex numbers.
Let $\RR$ denote the equivalence relation on $\C$ defined as:
- $\forall w, z \in \C: z \mathrel \RR w \iff z^4 = w^4$
Then $\RR$ is not a congruence relation for addition on $\C$.
$\sin \dfrac {\pi x} 6 = \sin \dfrac {\pi y} 6$ over $\Z$ for Multiplication
Let $\Z$ denote the set of integers.
Let $\RR$ denote the relation on $\Z$ defined as:
- $\forall x, y \in \Z: x \mathrel \RR y \iff \sin \dfrac {\pi x} 6 = \sin \dfrac {\pi y} 6$
Then $\RR$ is not a congruence relation for multiplication on $\Z$.
$\sin \dfrac {\pi x} 6 = \sin \dfrac {\pi y} 6$ over $\Z$ for Addition
Let $\Z$ denote the set of integers.
Let $\RR$ denote the relation on $\Z$ defined as:
- $\forall x, y \in \Z: x \mathrel \RR y \iff \sin \dfrac {\pi x} 6 = \sin \dfrac {\pi y} 6$
Then $\RR$ is not a congruence relation for addition on $\Z$.
Also see
- Definition:Relation Compatible with Operation
- Equivalence Relation is Congruence iff Compatible with Operation, justifying the terminology of calling such a relation compatible with an operation.
- Results about congruence relations can be found here.
Sources
- 1965: Seth Warner: Modern Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$: New Structures from Old: $\S 11$: Quotient Structures
- 1974: Thomas W. Hungerford: Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\text{I}$: Groups: $\S 1$: Semigroups, Monoids and Groups