Union of sets

Definition: Given two sets A and B, the union is the set that contains elements or objects that belong to either A or to B or to both We write A B Basically, we find A B by putting all the elements of A and B together. We next illustrate with examples Example #1. Let A = {1 orange, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 apple} and B = { 1 spoon, 1 knife, 1 fork} A B = {1 orange, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 spoon, 1 knife, 1 fork} Example #2. Find the union of A and B

A = { 1, 2, 4, 6} and B = { 4, a, b, c, d, f} A B = { 1, 2, 4, 6, 4, a, b, c, d, f} = { 1, 2, 4, 6, a, b, c, d, f } Notice that it is perfecly ok to write 4 once or twice Example #3. A = { x / x is a number bigger than 4 and smaller than 8} B = { x / x is a positive number smaller than 7} A = { 5, 6, 7} and B = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} A B = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7} Or A B = { x / x is a number bigger than 0 and smaller than 8} Again, notice that 5 and 6 were written only once although it would be perfectly ok to write them twice Example #4. A = { x / x is a country in Asia}

B = { x / x is a country in Africa} A B = {x / x is a country in Asia and Africa} = { all countries in Asia and Africa} Technically, using the definition, we should have said A B = {x / x is a country in either Asia or Africa or both countries} However, in real life, this is not the way we talk. By saying all countries in Asia and Africa, it is usually unterstood in daily conversations that we are talking about all countries in Asia and all countries in Africa Example #5.

A = {#, %, &, , $ } B={} A B = {#, %, &, , $}

Union of two or more sets is the set of all elements that belong to any of these sets. The symbol used for union of sets is U i.e. AUB = Union of set A and set B = {x: x A or x B (or both)}

Example: A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {2, 4, 5, 6} and C = {1, 2, 6, 8}, then AUBUC = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8}

You may have definitely noticed that the union of sets is simply found by putting the elements of the sets together, preferably without repetition. Definition of the union of three sets: Given three sets A, B, and C the union is the set that contains elements or objects that belong to either A, B, or to C or to all three We write A B C

Basically, we find A B C by putting all the elements of A, B, and C together. A = { 1, 2, 4, 6}, B = { a, b, c,} and C = A = {#, %, &, , $ } A B C = { 1, 2, 4, 6, a, b, c,#, %, &, , $ } The graph below shows the shaded region for the union of two sets

The graph below shows the shaded region for the union of three sets

This ends the lesson about union of sets. If you have any questions about the union of sets, I will be more than happy to answer them.

Intersection of Sets
Definition of Intersection of Sets

Intersection of Sets is defined as the grouping up of the common elements of two or

more sets. More about Intersection of Sets It is denoted by the symbol, .

Intersection of sets is an associative operation i.e. for three sets A, B, and C, A (B C)

= (A B) C. Example of Intersection of Sets When Set A = {1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 13} and Set B = {1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 17}, A B is all the common elements of the set A and B. Therefore, A B = {1, 7, 13}. This can be shown by using Venn diagram as:

Solved Example on Intersection of Sets Find A B for the sets: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}; B = {3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 19, 23}. Choices: A. A B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10} B. A B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 23} C. A B = {2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12} D. A B = {3, 5, 7, 8, 9} Correct Answer: D Solution: Step 1: The intersection of the two sets A and B is the set of elements common to both the sets. Step 2: The shaded region in the Venn diagram represents the intersection of the sets A and B.

Step 3: Therefore, A B = {3, 5, 7, 8, 9}.

Terms intersection
n. (sets) The intersection of sets A and B is the set of all elements of A which are also elements of B. Symbolically,
A B = {x:x A x B}

universal set n. (sets) The set which, in a certain context, contains everything of interest. idempotent n. (sets) A value is idempotent under a binary operation if the result of applying that operation to the value is the same value.

Symbol
(sets) intersection

Notation intersection
The intersection of two sets A and B is denoted by

AB

which is read
A intersection B

Complement of a set
Definition: Given a set A, the complement of A is the set of all element in the universal set U, but not in A. We can write Ac You can also say complement of A in U Example #1.

Take a close look at the figure above. d and f are in U, but they are not in A. Therefore Ac = {d, f} Sometimes, instead of looking at a the Venn Diagrams, it may be easier to write down the elements of both sets Then, we show in bold the elements that are in U, but not in A A = { a, b, c} U = { a, b, c, d, f} Example #2. Let B = {1 orange, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 apple} Let U = {1 orange, 1 apricot, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 mango, 1 apple, 1 kiwifruit } Again, we show in bold all elements in U, but not in B Bc = {1 apricot, 1 mango, 1 kiwifruit} Example #3. Find the complement of B in U

B = { 1, 2, 4, 6} U = {1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 } Complement of B in U = { 7, 8, 9} Example #4. Find the complement of A in U A = { x / x is a number bigger than 4 and smaller than 8} U = { x / x is a positive number smaller than 7} A = { 5, 6, 7} and U = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} Ac = { 1, 2, 3, 4} Or Ac = { x / x is a number bigger than 1 and smaller than 5 } The graph below shows the shaded region for the complement of set A