Use Mathematical Induction to show that if MR is the bit matrix representing the relation R, then M^[n]R is the matrix representing R^n. (This was how the question was stated. If you're confused about the terms M^[n]R and R^n, they aren't exponentials, the [n] in the first term is meant to be a superscript and the R a subscript. The n in the second term is a superscript.)
Let us denote Sn = an + bn + cn for arbitrary numbers a, b, c.
It is known that S1 = 8, S2 = 66, S3 = 536 for some values of
a, b, c. What is the smallest possible value of S242 — S41 S43?