The University of Zambia

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Mat 1120 - Introduction to Mathematics, Statistics and Probability
Tutorial Sheet 1- Sets March, 2023.

1. Let A = {2, 3, 4, 5}, B = {2, 4, 6, 8}, C = {3, 4, 5, 6} and let U = {0, 1, 2, · · · , 10} be the universal set.
Verify
(a) the associative laws:

A ∩ (B ∩ C) = (A ∩ B) ∩ C and A ∪ (B ∪ C) = (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

(b) the distributive laws:

A ∩ (B ∪ C) = (A ∩ B) ∪ (A ∩ C) and A ∪ (B ∩ C) = (A ∪ B) ∩ (A ∪ C)

(c) the De Morgan’s laws:

(A ∪ B)′ = A′ ∩ B ′ and (A ∩ B)′ = A′ ∪ B ′
2. (a) Let X = (−10, 10) be the universal set and A = (−2, 6), B = [−5, 3] and C = [−1, 8). Find each of
the following sets and display it on the number line.
i. A′ ii. X − A iii. (A ∩ C)′ iv. (B − A) ∩ C
′
v. A ∩ (B − C) vi. (X − C) ∩ (A − B)
(b) Given that R, is the set of real numbers is the universal set, A = (−8, 6] and B = [5, ∞), find
i. A′ ii. B ′ iii. A − B iv. B − A
3. Given that X and Y are sets, simplify as far as possible each of the following:
(a) [X ′ ∪ (Y − X)]′ (b) Y ∪ (X ∩ Y ) (c) (X ∩ Y ) ∪ (X ∩ Y ′ )
′ ′
(d) [X ∪ (Y ∩ X)]
4. (a) If A ⊂ B, the simplify the following.
i. A ∩ B ii. A ∪ B iii. A′ ∪ B ′ iv. A′ ∩ B ′
v. A′ ∪ B vi. A ∩ B ′
(b) If A and B are disjoint i.e. A ∩ B = ∅, simplify the following.
i. A′ ∪ B ′ ii. A′ ∩ B iii. A ∩ B ′
5. Using the set notation describe each of the following shaded parts in the Venn diagrams below.
U U
A A

B C B C

(a) (b)

1
 Tutorial Sheet 1- Sets - Page 2 of 2 March, 2023.

U U
A A

B C B C

(c) (d)
6. In a single Venn diagram, illustrate the relationship between the sets of natural numbers N, integers Z,
rational numbers Q, irrational numbers , and real numbers R.
√ √
7. Let A = {−4, 41 , − 2, 0.3, √13 , 0.3, 2, 3}. List the elements of the following subsets of A.
i. Natural numbers ii. Integers iii. Rational numbers
iv. Irrational numbers v. Real numbers
8. Express each of the following as a fraction in its lowest terms.
(a) 0.48 (b) 3.375 (c) 12.13 (d) −3.532
(e) 0.23 (f) 1.666 . . . (g) 9.423 (h) −4.357
√
9. (a) Show that 1 + 2 is irrational.
(b) Show that a + b is irrational if a is rational and b is irrational.
(c) Find an irrational number which lie between
i. 2 and 3 ii. 19 and 19.01 iii. -4 and -2
10. Prove or disprove by a counterexample where possible:
(a) The sum of two irrational numbers is irrational
(b) The sum of two irrational number is rational
(c) The product of two irrational numbers is irrational
(d) The product of two irrational numbers is rational
11. Express each of the following in the form a + ib where a and b are real numbers.
√
1+ 2i 1+2i 1−2i
(a) (3 + 2i)(2 − 5i) (b) √
3−2i
(c) 1−i + 1+3i

12. Solve for x and y given that:

1 1 x y 1−5i
(a) (x + iy)(4i) = 8 (b) x+iy + 1+3i =1 (c) 1+i − 2−i = 3−2i

13. Rationalize the denominator of each of the following.

√ √ √ √
2 3−
√ 2 x√ 2√7+√3
(a) 4 3
(b) x+ y (c) 3 7− 3

14. Given the sets X = {0, 1} and Y = {0, 1, 2}

(a) Check whether each of the following operations +, −, ×, ÷ is a binary operation on X and Y .
(b) Also check whether the operation is commutative and associative.
15. Each of the following operations I,II,III,IV, V is a binary operation on the set of real numbers, R.
I: a ∗ b = (a + b)(a − b)
II: a ∗ b = ab
II: a ∗ b = 2a−b
II: a ∗ b = a + 2b
II: a ∗ b = a + b − ab
(a) Determine which ones are commutative and/or associative.
(b) For each of the operation I,II,III,IV and V, evaluate 3 ∗ (7 ∗ 4).