−Table of Contents
Relation algebras
Abbreviation: RA
Definition
A \emph{relation algebra} is a structure A=⟨A,∨,0,∧,1,¬,∘,⌣,e⟩ such that
⟨A,∨,0,∧,1,¬⟩ is a Boolean algebra
⟨A,∘,e⟩ is a monoid
∘ is \emph{join-preserving}: (x∨y)∘z=(x∘z)∨(y∘z)
⌣ is an \emph{involution}: x⌣⌣=x, (x∘y)⌣=y⌣∘x⌣
⌣ is \emph{join-preserving}: (x∨y)⌣=x⌣∨y⌣
∘ is residuated: x⌣∘(¬(x∘y))≤¬y
Morphisms
Let A and B be relation algebras. A morphism from A to B is a function h:A→B that is a Boolean homomorphism and preserves ∘, ⌣, e:
h(x∘y)=h(x)∘h(y), h(x⌣)=h(x)⌣, h(e)=e
Examples
Example 1: ⟨P(U2),∪,∅,∩,U2,−,∘,⌣,idU⟩ the full relation algebra of binary relations on a set U.
Example 2: ⟨P(G),∪,∅,∩,G,−,∘,⌣,{e}⟩ the group relation algebra of a group ⟨G,∗,−1,e⟩, where X∘Y={x∗y:x∈X,y∈Y} and X⌣={x−1:x∈X}.
Basic results
Properties
Classtype | variety |
---|---|
Equational theory | undecidable |
Quasiequational theory | undecidable |
First-order theory | undecidable |
Locally finite | no |
Residual size | unbounded |
Congruence distributive | yes |
Congruence modular | yes |
Congruence n-permutable | yes, n=2 |
Congruence regular | yes |
Congruence uniform | yes |
Congruence extension property | yes |
Definable principal congruences | yes |
Equationally def. pr. cong. | yes |
Discriminator variety | yes |
Amalgamation property | no |
Strong amalgamation property | no |
Epimorphisms are surjective | no |
Finite members
f(1)=1f(2)=1f(3)=0f(4)=3f(5)=0f(6)=0