How many subsets of set A satisfy given conditions?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter Evgeny.Makarov
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Finite Sets
In summary, the cardinality of a finite set is the number of elements or objects in the set, denoted by |A|. To find the cardinality, count the number of elements or use mathematical techniques such as Venn diagrams. The cardinality of a finite set cannot be negative, but it is possible for an infinite set. The cardinality of a subset is always less than or equal to the original set. There are rules and formulas for calculating the cardinality of finite sets, including the Addition and Multiplication Principles, Inclusion-Exclusion Principle, and Binomial Coefficient formula.
  • #1
Evgeny.Makarov
Gold Member
MHB
2,436
4
Consider a set $A$ and its subsets $B$ and $C$. It is known that $|A-(B\cap C)|=8$, $|B|=5$, $|C-B|=1$ and $|B\cap C|=3$ (here $-$ denotes set difference). How many subsets $X\subseteq A$ are there if $X\cap B\cap C\ne\emptyset$, $|X-(B\cup C)|\ge3$ and $|X\cap (B-C)|=2$?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Since nobody gave an answer, I am posting a solution.

I will omit $\cap$ and write intersection as multiplication. I will also write $\sqcup$ for disjoint union.

In this problem $A$ is the universal set, and each element of $A$ belongs to exactly one of four classes: it can fall in or outside $B$ and $C$. Since $A-BC=\overline{BC}=\overline{B}\cup\overline{C}=\overline{B}C\sqcup B\overline{C}\sqcup\overline{B}\overline{C}$, $B=BC\sqcup B\overline{C}$ and $C-B=\overline{B}C$, we have the following system of equations.
\begin{align*}
|\overline{B}C|+|B\overline{C}|+|\overline{B}\overline{C}|&=8\\
|BC|+|B\overline{C}|&=5\\
|\bar{B}C|&=1\\
|BC|&=3
\end{align*}
Solving this system, we can fill the following table form of the Venn diagram.
\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=1.3,y={(0cm,-1cm)}]
\draw[step=1cm] (-.3,-.3) grid (2,2);
\node[above] at (.5,0) {$B$};
\node[above] at (1.5,0) {$\overline{B}$};
\node
at (0,.5) {$C$};
\node
at (0,1.5) {$\overline{C}$};
\path[shift={(.5,.5)}] (0,0) node {3} (1,0) node {1} (0,1) node {2} (1,1) node {5};
\end{tikzpicture}

Set \(X\) is also split into four disjoint classes. The condition $XBC\ne\emptyset$ gives us $2^3-1=7$ variants for $XBC$. The condition $|X-(B\cup C)|\ge3$ means that $X\overline{B}\overline{C}$ can be chosen in $\binom{5}{3}+\binom{5}{4}+\binom{5}{5}=16$ ways. The condition $|X(B-C)|=|XB\overline{C}|=2$ requires that both elements of $B\overline{C}$ are included in $X$. Finally, the problem does not say anything about $X\overline{B}C$, which gives us two variants: the only element of $\overline{B}C$ may or may not be in $X$. Altogether, there are $7\cdot16\cdot2=224$ variants for $X$.​


I would appreciate your opinion on the difficulty level of this problem. Which year in the university is it appropriate for?​
 
  • #3
That looks like a fairly standard algebra or pre-calculus problem. I wouldn't be surprised to see it in a college freshman or even secondary school class.
 

Related to How many subsets of set A satisfy given conditions?

1. What is a cardinality of a finite set?

The cardinality of a finite set is the number of elements or objects in the set. It is also known as the size or the order of the set.

2. How is the cardinality of a finite set determined?

The cardinality of a finite set can be determined by counting the number of distinct elements in the set. For example, if a set has 5 elements, its cardinality is 5.

3. Can the cardinality of a finite set be negative or zero?

No, the cardinality of a finite set cannot be negative or zero. It must be a positive integer as it represents the number of elements in the set.

4. How does the cardinality of a finite set affect its subsets?

The cardinality of a finite set determines the number of subsets that can be formed from the set. For example, a set with a cardinality of 4 can have 16 (2^4) subsets.

5. Can two finite sets have the same cardinality?

Yes, two finite sets can have the same cardinality if they have the same number of elements. For example, a set with elements {1,2,3} and a set with elements {a,b,c} both have a cardinality of 3.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Topology and Analysis
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
424
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
968
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
896
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
571
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
10
Views
2K
Back
Top