Class 12 NCERT Solutions – Mathematics Part I – Chapter 1 Relations and Functions – Exercise 1.4

Question 1: Determine whether or not each of the definition of ∗ given below gives a binary operation. In the event that ∗ is not a binary operation, give justification for this.

(i) On Z+, define ∗ by a ∗ b = a – b

Solution: 

If a, b belongs to Z+

a * b = a – b which may not belong to Z+

For eg:  1 – 3 = -2 which doesn’t belongs to Z+ 

Therefore, * is not a Binary Operation on Z+

(ii) On Z+, define * by a * b = ab

Solution: 

If a, b belongs to Z+ 

a * b = ab which belongs to Z+

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z+

(iii) On R, define * by a * b = ab²

Solution:

If a, b belongs to R

a * b = ab²  which belongs to R

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on R

(iv) On Z+, define * by a * b = |a – b|

Solution:

If a, b belongs to Z+

a * b = |a – b| which belongs to Z+

 Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z+

(v) On Z+, define * by a * b = a

Solution:

If a, b belongs to Z+

a * b = a which belongs to Z+

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z+

Question 2: For each binary operation * defined below, determine whether * is binary, commutative or associative.

(i) On Z, define a * b = a – b 

Solution:

a) Binary: 

If a, b belongs to Z

a * b = a – b which belongs to Z

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z

b) Commutative: 

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a 

LHS = a * b = a – b

RHS = b * a = b – a

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a – b + c

RHS = (a – b) * c = a – b- c

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(ii) On Q, define a * b = ab + 1

Solution:

a) Binary:

If a, b belongs to Q, a * b = ab + 1 which belongs to Q

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Q

b) Commutative: 

If a, b belongs to Q, a * b = b * a 

LHS = a * b = ab + 1

RHS = b * a = ba + 1 = ab + 1

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Q, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (bc + 1) = abc + a + 1

RHS = (a * b) * c = abc + c + 1

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(iii) On Q, define a ∗ b = ab/2

Solution :

a) Binary:

If a, b belongs to Q, a * b = ab/2 which belongs to Q

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Q

b) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Q, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = ab/2

RHS = b * a = ba/2

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Q, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (bc/2) = (abc)/2

RHS = (a * b) * c = (ab/2) * c = (abc)/2

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Associative

(iv) On Z+, define a * b = 2^ab

Solution:

a) Binary:

If a, b belongs to Z+, a * b = 2^ab which belongs to Z+

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z+

b) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z+, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = 2^ab

RHS = b * a = 2^ba = 2^ab

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z+, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * 2^{bc =} 2^{a * 2^(bc)}

RHS = (a * b) * c = 2^ab * c = 2^2abc

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(v) On Z+, define a * b = a^b

Solution:

a) Binary:

If a, b belongs to Z+, a * b = a^b which belongs to Z+

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on Z+

b) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z+, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a^b

RHS = b * a = b^a

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z+, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * b^c = a^{b^c}

RHS = (a * b) * c = a^b * c = a^bc

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(vi) On R – {– 1}, define a ∗ b = a / (b + 1)

Solution: 

a) Binary:

If a, b belongs to R, a * b = a / (b+1) which belongs to R

Therefore, * is Binary Operation on R

b) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to R, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a / (b + 1)

RHS = b * a = b / (a + 1)

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

c) Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to A, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * b / (c+1) = a(c+1) / b+c+1

RHS = (a * b) * c = (a / (b+1)) * c = a / (b+1)(c+1)

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

Question 3. Consider the binary operation ∧ on the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} defined by a ∧ b = min {a, b}. Write the operation table of the operation ∧. 

Solution: 

^	1	2	3	4	5
1	1	1	1	1	1
2	1	2	2	2	2
3	1	2	3	3	3
4	1	2	3	4	4
5	1	2	3	4	5

Question 4: Consider a binary operation ∗ on the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} given by the following multiplication table.

(Hint: use the following table) 

*	1	2	3	4	5
1	1	1	1	1	1
2	1	2	1	2	1
3	1	1	3	1	1
4	1	2	1	4	1
5	1	1	1	1	5

(i) Compute (2 ∗ 3) ∗ 4 and 2 ∗ (3 ∗ 4)

Solution:

Here, (2 * 3) * 4 = 1 * 4 = 1

2 * (3 * 4) = 2 * 1 = 1

(ii) Is ∗ commutative?

Solution:

The given composition table is symmetrical about the main diagonal of table. Thus, binary operation ‘*’ is commutative.

(iii) Compute (2 ∗ 3) ∗ (4 ∗ 5).

Solution:

(2 * 3) * (4 * 5) = 1 * 1 = 1

Question 5: Let ∗′ be the binary operation on the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} defined by a ∗′ b = H.C.F. of a and b. Is the operation ∗′ same as the operation ∗ defined in Exercise 4 above? Justify your answer.

Solution:

Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and a ∗′ b = HCF of a and b.

*’	1	2	3	4	5
1	1	1	1	1	1
2	1	2	1	2	1
3	1	1	3	1	1
4	1	2	1	4	1
5	1	1	1	1	5

We see that the operation *’ is the same as the operation * in Exercise 4 above.

Question 6: Let ∗ be the binary operation on N given by a ∗ b = L.C.M. of a and b. Find

(i) 5 ∗ 7, 20 ∗ 16

Solution:

If a, b belongs to N

a * b = LCM of a and b

5 * 7 = 35

20 * 16 = 80

(ii) Is ∗ commutative?

Solution:

If a, b belongs to N

LCM of a * b = ab

LCM of b * a = ba = ab

a*b = b*a

Thus, * binary operation is commutative.

(iii) Is ∗ associative?

Solution:

a * (b * c) = LCM of a, b, c

(a * b) * c = LCM of a, b, c

Since, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

Thus, * binary operation is associative.

(iv) Find the identity of ∗ in N

Solution:

Let ‘e’ is an identity 

a * e = e * a, for a belonging to N

LCM of a * e = a, for a belonging to N

LCM of e * a = a, for a belonging to N

e divides a 

e divides 1

Thus, e = 1

Hence, 1 is an identity element

(v) Which elements of N are invertible for the operation ∗? 

Solution:

a * b = b * a = identity element

LCM of a and b = 1

a = b = 1

only ‘1’ is invertible element in N. 

Question 7: Is ∗ defined on the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} by a ∗ b = L.C.M. of a and b a binary operation? Justify your answer. 

Solution:

The operation * on the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} is defined as

a * b = L.C.M. of a and b

Let a=3, b=5

3 * 5 = 5 * 3 = L.C.M. of 3 and 5 = 15 which does not belong to the given set

Thus, * is not a Binary Operation.

Question 8: Let ∗ be the binary operation on N defined by a ∗ b = H.C.F. of a and b. Is ∗ commutative? Is ∗ associative? Does there exist identity for this binary operation on N?

Solution:

If a, b belongs to N

LHS = a * b = HCF of a and b

RHS = b * a = HCF of b and a

Since LHS = RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

Now, If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = HCF of a, b and c

RHS = (a – b) * c = HCF of a, b and c

Since, LHS = RHS

Therefore, * is Associative

Now, 1 * a = a * 1 ≠ a

Thus, there doesn’t exist any identity element.

Question 9: Let ∗ be a binary operation on the set Q of rational numbers as follows:

(i) a ∗ b = a – b 

(ii) a ∗ b = a² + b²

(iii) a ∗ b = a + ab 

(iv) a ∗ b = (a – b)²

(v) a ∗ b = ab / 4

(vi) a ∗ b = ab²

Find which of the binary operations are commutative and which are associative. 

Solution:

(i) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a – b

RHS = b * a = b – a

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a – (b – c) = a – b + c

RHS = (a – b) * c = a – b – c

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(ii) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a² + b²

RHS = b * a = b² + a²

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (b² + c²) = a² + (b² + c²)²

RHS = (a * b) * c = (a² + b²) * c = (a² + b²)² + c²

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(iii) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a + ab

RHS = b * a = b + ba

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (b + bc) = a + a(b + bc)

RHS = (a * b) * c = (a + ab) * c = a + ab + (a + ab)c

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(iv) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = (a – b)²

RHS = b * a = (b – a)²

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (b – c)² = [a – (b – c)²]²

RHS = (a * b) * c = (a – b)² * c = [(a – b)²  – c]²

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

(v) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = ab / 4

RHS = b * a = ba / 4

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * bc/4 = abc/16

RHS = (a * b) * c = ab/4 * c = abc/16

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Associative

(vi) Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = ab²

RHS = b * a = ba²

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (bc)² = a(bc²)²

RHS = (a * b) * c = (ab²) * c = ab²c²

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

Question 10: Find which of the operations given above has identity

Solution:

An element e ∈ Q will be the identity element for the operation * if

a * e = a = e * a, for a ∈ Q

for (v) a * b = ab/4

Let e be an identity element 

a * e = a = e * a

LHS : ae/4 = a

   => e = 4

RHS : ea/4 = a

  => e = 4

LHS = RHS

Thus, Identity element exists

Other operations doesn’t satisfy the required conditions. 

Hence, other operations doesn’t have identity.

Question 11: Let A = N × N and ∗ be the binary operation on A defined by :

(a, b) ∗ (c, d) = (a + c, b + d)

Show that ∗ is commutative and associative. Find the identity element for ∗ on A, if any. 

Solution:

Given (a, b) * (c, d) = (a+c, b+d) on A

Let (a, b), (c, d), (e,f) be 3 pairs ∈ A

Commutative :

LHS = (a, b) * (c, d) = (a+c, b+d)

RHS = (c, d) * (a, b) = (c+a, d+b) = (a+c, b+d)

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = (a, b) * [(c, d) * (e, f)] = (a, b) * (c+e, d+f) = (a+c+e, b+d+f)

RHS = [(a, b) * (c, d)] * (e, f) = (a+c, b+d) * (e, f) = (a+c+e, b+d+f)  

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Associative

Existence of Identity element:

For a, e ∈ A, a * e = a

(a, b) * (e, e) = (a, b)

(a+e, b+e) = (a, b)

a + e = a    

=> e = 0

b + e = b

=> e = 0

As 0 is not a part of set of natural numbers. So, identity function does not exist.

Question 12: State whether the following statements are true or false. Justify.

(i) For an arbitrary binary operation ∗ on a set N, a ∗ a = a ∀ a ∈ N.

(ii) If ∗ is a commutative binary operation on N, then a ∗ (b ∗ c) = (c ∗ b) ∗ a

Solution:

(i) Let * be an operation on N, defined as:

a * b =  a + b ∀ a, b ∈ N

Let us consider b = a = 6, we have:

6 * 6 = 6 + 6 = 12 ≠ 6

Therefore, this statement is false. 

(ii) Since, * is commutative

LHS = a ∗ (b ∗ c) = a * (c * b) = (c * b) * a = RHS

Therefore, this statement is true.

Question 13: Consider a binary operation ∗ on N defined as a ∗ b = a³+ b³. Choose the correct answer.

(A) Is ∗ both associative and commutative?

(B) Is ∗ commutative but not associative?

(C) Is ∗ associative but not commutative?

(D) Is ∗ neither commutative nor associative? 

Solution:

On N, * is defined as a * b = a³ + b³

Commutative:

If a, b belongs to Z, a * b = b * a

LHS = a * b = a³ + b³

RHS = b * a = b³ + a³

Since, LHS is equal to RHS

Therefore, * is Commutative

Associative:

If a, b, c belongs to Z, a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c

LHS = a * (b * c) = a * (b³ + c³) = a³ + (b³ + c³)³

RHS = (a * b) * c = (a³ + b³) * c = (a³ + b³)³ + c³

Since, LHS is not equal to RHS

Therefore, * is not Associative

Thus, Option (B) is correct.