# Definition:Ordering/Definition 1

## Definition

Let $S$ be a set.

An ordering on $S$ is a relation $\RR$ on $S$ such that:

 $(1)$ $:$ $\RR$ is reflexive $\displaystyle \forall a \in S:$ $\displaystyle a \mathrel \RR a$ $(2)$ $:$ $\RR$ is transitive $\displaystyle \forall a, b, c \in S:$ $\displaystyle a \mathrel \RR b \land b \mathrel \RR c \implies a \mathrel \RR c$ $(3)$ $:$ $\RR$ is antisymmetric $\displaystyle \forall a \in S:$ $\displaystyle a \mathrel \RR b \land b \mathrel \RR a \implies a = b$

## Notation

Symbols used to denote a general ordering relation are usually variants on $\preceq$, $\le$ and so on.

On $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$, to denote a general ordering relation it is recommended to use $\preceq$ and its variants:

$\preccurlyeq$
$\curlyeqprec$

To denote the conventional ordering relation in the context of numbers, the symbol $\le$ is to be used, or its variants:

$\leqslant$
$\leqq$
$\eqslantless$

The symbol $\subseteq$ is universally reserved for the subset relation.

$a \preceq b$

can be read as:

$a$ precedes, or is the same as, $b$.

Similarly:

$a \preceq b$

can be read as:

$b$ succeeds, or is the same as, $a$.

If, for two elements $a, b \in S$, it is not the case that $a \preceq b$, then the symbols $a \npreceq b$ and $b \nsucceq a$ can be used.

## Partial vs. Total Ordering

It is not demanded of an ordering $\preceq$, defined in its most general form on a set $S$, that every pair of elements of $S$ is related by $\preceq$. They may be, or they may not be, depending on the specific nature of both $S$ and $\preceq$.

If it is the case that $\preceq$ is a connected relation, that is, that every pair of distinct elements is related by $\preceq$, then $\preceq$ is called a total ordering.

If it is not the case that $\preceq$ is connected, then $\preceq$ is called a partial ordering.

Beware that some sources use the word partial for an ordering which may or may not be connected, while others insist on reserving the word partial for one which is specifically not connected.

It is wise to be certain of what is meant.

As a consequence, on $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ we resolve any ambiguity by reserving the terms for the objects in question as follows:

Ordering: an ordering whose nature (total or partial) is not specified
Partial ordering: an ordering which is specifically not total
Total ordering: an ordering which is specifically not partial.

## Also see

• Results about orderings can be found here.