Venn diagrams and Set Notation

Venn Diagrams

A Venn Diagram is a pictorial way to display relationships between two different sets (or groups) of things.  The idea of a Venn diagram was first introduced by John Venn in the late 1800's and they are still one of the most powerful visualisations for relationships.

Here is a simple example

Lets think about the numbers between $2$2 and $20$20.  

I'm going to create two sets. Set $E=\left\{\text{even numbers}\right\}$E={even numbers}, and set $M=\left\{\text{multiplies of 3}\right\}$M={multiplies of 3}.  

The next thing I do is write in all the numbers in the appropriate places.  As I place a number I ask myself.... Is the number even? Is it a multiple of $3$3?  Is it both? or Is it none of those options?  

Take note of how the numbers that do not fit into either set are placed outside the circles, but still within the bounds of the universal set.

Now that we have a Venn diagram, we can answer a whole range of questions.

List the elements in events $E$E, $M$M and $E\cap M$E∩M

$E=\left\{2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20\right\}$E={2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20}

$M=\left\{3,6,9,12,15,18\right\}$M={3,6,9,12,15,18}

$E\cap M=\left\{6,12,18\right\}$E∩M={6,12,18}

 

Using Venn Diagrams when solving problems about sets will need us to be able to identify using set notation the regions in the Venn Diagram. The following applet will let you explore the different regions.  

 

 

Worked Examples

Question 1

QUESTION 2

QUESTION 3