a binary relation is one which is defined for B subset X x X (x,y) in B <=> xBy Examples are >, =>, +, ... many others. 1. X=all people, B= kin to. 2. X=all people, B=cousin to. 3. X=R, B= "=>" 4. X=R^2, B= "=>" ("=>" => x1=>y1 and x2=>y2) 5. X=R^2, B= Has greater magnitude