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Venn Diagrams and Set Theory

Jun 22, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers Venn diagrams, including how to fill them with numbers, interpret set notation (union, intersection, complement), and solve probability questions using these diagrams.

Venn Diagram Basics

  • A Venn diagram visually represents sets and their relationships within a universal set.
  • The universal set (∪) contains all elements under consideration (e.g., all odd numbers less than 30).
  • Each number appears only once in the Venn diagram.

Filling Venn Diagrams

  • List all elements of the universal set before placing them in the circles.
  • Placing numbers: start with intersections (numbers in multiple sets), then fill individual sets, and finally, numbers outside all sets.
  • For three-set diagrams, handle intersections methodically: all three sets, then pairs, then singles.

Set Notation and Symbols

  • Union (A ∪ B): Elements in A or B (or both); interpreted as "A or B".
  • Intersection (A ∩ B): Elements in both A and B; interpreted as "A and B".
  • Complement (A'): Elements not in A.

Probability with Venn Diagrams

  • Probability = (number of favorable outcomes) / (total outcomes in universal set).
  • For A ∪ B: Count all numbers in either circle.
  • For A ∩ B: Count only numbers in the intersection.
  • For A': Count numbers not in circle A, including those outside both circles.

Example Problems

  • For sets A and B from odd numbers less than 30:
    • A ∪ B: 7/15 (all numbers within either circle).
    • A ∩ B: 2/15 (numbers in both circles).
    • A': 9/15 (numbers not in A).
  • For three-set diagrams with even numbers between 1 and 25:
    • A ∩ B: 2/12 (numbers in both A and B, including those in all three).
    • B ∪ C: 8/12 (any number in B, C, or both).
    • C': 7/12 (numbers not in C).

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Universal Set — All possible elements considered in the problem.
  • Union (A ∪ B) — All elements in A or B or both.
  • Intersection (A ∩ B) — Elements in both A and B.
  • Complement (A') — Elements not in set A.
  • Probability — The chance of an event, calculated as favorable outcomes over total outcomes.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice filling Venn diagrams and calculating probabilities for provided exercises.
  • Review set notation and ensure you can identify unions, intersections, and complements.
  • Prepare for next lesson on more complex Venn diagram problems involving algebraic reasoning.