Set Theory Exercises

ACTIVITIES

1. U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}, A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}, B = {1, 3, 6, 7, 8}, C = {3, 7}

(a) Illustrate the sets U, A, B and C in a Venn diagram, marking all the elements in the
appropriate places. (Note: if any region in your diagram does not contain any elements,
redraw the set loops to correct this.)
(b) Using your Venn diagram, list the elements in each of the following sets:
1. A ∩ B
2. A ∪ C
3. A′, B′
4. B ∩ A′
5. B ∩ C′
6. A – B
7. A Δ B
(c) Complete the statement using a single symbol: C - B = ... .

2. True or false?
(a) | ø | = 1
(b) | { x, x } | = 2
(c) | U ∩ ø | = 0

3. What can you say about two sets P and Q if:

(a) P ∩ Q′ = ø
(b) P ∪ Q = P?

4. Make six copies of the Venn diagram shown alongside, and then shade the areas represented by:
(a) A ′ ∪ B
(b) A ∩ B ′
(c) (A ∩ B) ′
(d) A ′ ∪ B ′
(e) (A ∪ B) ′
(f) A ′ ∩ B ′
 Set Theory Exercises
QUESTIONS

5. Identify the sets represented by each of the shaded areas below, using the set notation symbols ∩, ∪
and ′ only:

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

6.
(a) One of the shaded regions in question 5 represents the set A – B. Identify which one it is, and
hence write a definition of A – B using only symbols from the list ∩, ∪ and ′.
(b) Again using one of your answers to question 5, write a definition of A Δ B using only
symbols from the list ∩, ∪ and ′.
 Set Theory Exercises
ANSWERS

1.
(a)

(b)
1. A ∩ B = {6, 8}
2. A ∪ C = {2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10}
3. A ′ = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
4. B ′ = {2, 4, 5, 9, 10}
5. B ∩ A ′ = {1, 3, 7}
6. B ∩ C ′ = {1, 6, 8}
7. A – B = {2, 4, 10}
8. A Δ B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10}
(c) C - B = ø

2.
(a) F
(b) F
(c) T

3.
(a) P ⊆ Q
(b) Q ⊆ P

4.
(a) A’ ∪ B
(b) A ∩ B’
(c) (A ∩ B)’
(d) A’ ∪ B’

5.
(a) B ′
(b) A ∩ B ′
(c) (A ∪ B) ∩ (A ∩ B) ′ or (A ∩ B ′) ∪ (A ′ ∩ B)
(d) (A ∩ B) ∪ (A ′ ∩ B ′) or (A ∪ B) ′ ∪ (A ∩ B) or …?

6.
(a) Region (b) represents A – B. So A – B = A ∩ B ′
(b) Region (c) represents A Δ B.
So A Δ B = (A ∩ B) ∪ (A ′ ∩ B ′) or (A ∪ B) ′ ∪ (A ∩ B)