Question #91346

To give a direct proof, as well as a proof by contradiction, of the following statement:
'A∩B is contained in A∪B for any two sets A and B.'

Expert's answer

Direct Proof:


Let x∈A⋂Bx \in A \bigcap B It means

x∈Ax \in A and x∈Bx \in B

  ⟹  \implies x∈A⋃Bx \in A \bigcup B


It means A∩B ⊆ A∪B

So A⋂BA\bigcap B is contained in A⋃BA \bigcup B for any two sets A and B




Proof by Contradiction:


Suppose to the contrary that A∩B ⊄ A∪B.


Then there exists an element x∈A⋂Bx \in A \bigcap B such that x∉A⋂Bx \notin A\bigcap B . That is, there is an element xx that belongs to both set A and set B and at the same time belongs to neither. This is a contradiction, so the original assumption is false. 


It means A∩B ⊆ A∪B.


So A⋂BA\bigcap B is contained in A⋃BA \bigcup B for any two sets A and B.




LATEST TUTORIALS
APPROVED BY CLIENTS