nLab
equivalence relation

Definition

An equivalence relation on a set $S$ is a binary relation $\equiv$ on $S$ that is:

• reflexive: $x \equiv x$ for all $x: S$;
• symmetric: $x \equiv y$ if $y \equiv x$; and
• transitive: $x \equiv z$ if $x \equiv y \equiv z$.

(One can also define it as a relation that is both reflexive and euclidean.) The de Morgan dual of an equivalence relation is an apartness relation.

If $R$ is any relation on $S$, there is a smallest equivalence relation containing $S$ (noting that an intersection of an arbitrary family of equivalence relations is again such; see also Moore closure), called the equivalence relation generated by $R$.

A categorical view

A set equipped with an equivalence relation can be regarded as a groupoid enriched over the cartesian monoidal category of truth values. Equivalently, it is a groupoid that is 0-truncated. Then the equivalence relation on $S$ is a way of making $S$ into the set of objects of such a groupoid. Equivalently, a set with an equivalence relation is a (0,1)-category whose each morphism is iso, or a symmetric preordered set.

It may well be useful to consider several possible equivalence relations on a given set. When considering a single equivalence relation once and for all, however, it is common to take the quotient set $S/_{\equiv}$ and use that instead. As a groupoid, any set with an equivalence relation is equivalent to a set in this way (although in the absence of the axiom of choice, it is only a “weak” or ana-equivalence).

A set equipped with an equivalence relation is sometimes called a setoid, although at other times that term is used for a pseudo-equivalence relation instead. This terminology is particularly common in foundations of mathematics where quotient sets don't always exist and the above equivalence to a set cannot be carried out. However, arguably this is a terminological mismatch, and such people should say ‘set’ where they say ‘setoid’ and something else (such as ‘preset’, ‘type’, or ‘completely presented set’) where they say ‘set’. (See Bishop set and page 9 of these lecture notes.)

Variants and generalizations

• A partial equivalence relation is a symmetric and transitive relation.

• A congruence is a notion of equivalence relation internal to a suitable category.

• The generalization of this to (∞,1)-category theory is that of groupoid object in an (∞,1)-category.

Related concepts

• Bishop set

• congruence

References

For the history of the notion of equivalence relation see this MO discussion.