(definition)
Definition: A binary relation R for which a R b and b R c implies a R c.
See also reflexive, symmetric.
Note: The relation "less than" is transitive: if a < b and b < c, then a < c. The relation "is an ancestor of" is also transitive: if Reuben is an ancestor of Bill and Bill is an ancestor of Patrick, Reuben is an ancestor of Patrick. However "likes" is not transitive since someone I like may like someone that I don't like.
Author: PEB
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Mon Sep 11 09:46:08 2006.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "transitive", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/transitive.html
