Union of Left-Total Relations is Left-Total

Theorem

Let $S_1, S_2, T_1, T_2$ be sets or classes.

Let $\RR_1 \subseteq S_1 \times T_1$ and $\RR_2 \subseteq S_2 \times T_2$ be left-total relations.

Then $\RR_1 \cup \RR_2$ is left-total.

Proof

Let both $\RR_1$ and $\RR_2$ be left-total.

Let $\RR = \RR_1 \cup \RR_2$.

Let $s \in S_1 \cup S_2$.

By the definition of union:

$s \in S_1 \lor s \in S_2$

Thus $s \in S_i$ for $i \in \set {1, 2}$.

By definition of left-total relation, there is a $t \in T_i$ such that $\tuple {s, t} \in \RR_i$.

We have that $\RR$ is a superset of $\RR_i$.

Hence from Union is Smallest Superset:

$\tuple {s, t} \in \RR_i \subseteq \RR \implies \tuple {s, t} \in \RR$

$\blacksquare$

Also see

• Union of Right-Total Relations is Right-Total