Concept:
• Reflexive: \( (a, a) \in R \) for every \( a \in A \).
• Symmetric: \( (a, b) \in R \Rightarrow (b, a) \in R \).
• Transitive: \( (a, b) \in R \) and \( (b, c) \in R \Rightarrow (a, c) \in R \).
• Equivalence: A relation is equivalence if it satisfies all three properties.
Step 1: Evaluate the Assertion (A) for reflexivity
Set \( A = \{1, 2, 3\} \).
For \( R \) to be reflexive, it must contain \( (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3) \).
Check \( R \): \( (1, 1) \in R, (2, 2) \in R, (3, 3) \in R \).
Thus, \( R \) is reflexive.
Step 2: Evaluate for symmetry and transitivity
Symmetry: \( (1, 2) \in R \) and its flip \( (2, 1) \in R \). All other pairs are self-symmetric. So, \( R \) is symmetric.
Transitivity: We have \( (1, 2) \) and \( (2, 1) \). Their combination \( (1, 1) \) is in \( R \). Also \( (2, 1) \) and \( (1, 2) \) gives \( (2, 2) \), which is in \( R \). No other non-trivial chains exist. So, \( R \) is transitive.
Since it satisfies all three, Assertion (A) is true.
Step 3: Evaluate the Reason (R) and its relationship to (A)
Reason (R) states the standard definition of an equivalence relation. This is a true statement.
Furthermore, the assertion is categorized as an equivalence relation precisely because it fulfills the conditions of being reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
Thus, Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A).