Antisymmetric Preordering is Ordering

Theorem

Let $\RR \subseteq S \times S$ be a preordering on a set $S$.

Let $\RR$ also be antisymmetric.


Then $\RR$ is an ordering on $S$.


Proof

By definition, a preordering on $S$ is a relation on $S$ which is:

$(1): \quad$ reflexive

and:

$(2): \quad$ transitive.


Thus $\RR$ is a relation on $S$ which is reflexive, transitive and antisymmetric.

Thus by definition $\RR$ is an ordering on $S$.

$\blacksquare$


Sources

  • 1975: T.S. Blyth: Set Theory and Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 7$: Exercise $7$