Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / ia / Paper 4 / 5E / i / Solution

By the inverse identity established in the root solution, the composite $T$ is a symmetric relation precisely whenThus condition (i) implies condition (iii). Conversely, if $S\circ R\subseteq R\circ S$, take inverse relations. Since $R,S$ are symmetric, this gives the reverse inclusion $R\circ S\subseteq S\circ R$. The two composites are equal, making $T$ symmetric. Therefore (i) and (iii) are equivalent, and either one forces commutation.