A total order satisfies the conditions for a Partial Order plus the comparability condition.  A Relation
 is a partial order on a Set 
 if
- 1. Reflexivity: 
 for all 
 - 2. Antisymmetry: 
 and 
 implies 
 - 3. Transitivity: 
 and 
 implies 
,
 
and is a total order if, in addition,
- 4. Comparability: For any 
, either 
 or 
.
 
See also Partial Order, Relation
 
© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein 
1999-05-26