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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Unions, Intersections, and Complements

Unions, Intersections, and Complements

This article will look up some properties of unions, intersections, and compliments, which will help us understand them more efficiently. We will learn the meaning of set theory and set operations, and also, we shall look up briefly at the union intersection and complement of sets.

Table of Content
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Union, intersection, and compliments of any particular set are essential parts of set theory and operation topics. To know the compliment detail of these terms. It is crucial to understand the basics of the set theory of mathematics. Set is a compilation and collection of observations, entities, or elements. Every set has entity observations associated with a specific type or medium. This set is known as the Universal set. It is represented by U.

 Operations of the set are the mathematical functions that are performed between any two sets or more sets to obtain a specific solution. In the chapter on set theory, different operations are performed on a given particular type of set, but three prominent set operations are there:-

  1. Complement of sets

  2. The intersection of sets (∩)

  3. Union of sets (∪

Every set A in this set theory topic is always a subset of given Universal set U. The compliment of any set B has all the terms or members, attribute from the Universal which is not part of original set B. Compliment set is always is denoted by B’.

Different operations of set

 The intersection of the set (∩)

Suppose we have two general sets X and Y. The intersection(∩) of X and Y is the subset or portion of the universal set represented by symbol U, which consists of the common components to both the set X and Y. Intersection of sets is depicted by the symbol ‘∩’. This is technique is denoted  by:

X ∩Y = {z : z ∈ X and x ∈ Y}

Where z is the common element of both sets X and Y.

The intersection of sets A and B, can also be inferred as:

X∩Y = n(X) + n(Y) – n(X∪Y)

Where,

n(X) = leading number of set X,

n(Y) = leading number of set Y,

n(X∪Y) = leading number of union of both set X and Y.

Specimen: Let X = {a,b,c} and Y = {c,d,f}

Then, X∩Y = {c}; because c is common to both the sets.

Union of sets (∪)

Suppose we have two given sets X and Y, then the union of X and Y sets is always equal to the set that has all the components, available in set X and set Y. This operation can be expressed as:

X ∪ Y = {z: z ∈ X or x ∈ Y}

Where x is the components present in both sets X  and Y.

For instance: If set X = {a,b,c,d} and Y= {d,e}

Then, Union of sets, X ∪ Y = {a,b,c,d,e}

Complement of sets

For instance, U is a universal set and P is any given subset of U then the complement of P  is the set of all the components of the universal set U excluding all components of P.

P′ = {z : z ∈ U and a ∉ P}

Venn diagram

A Venn diagram is a graphical representation of a given set.  It showcases the relation among sets, its operation in a pictorial manner. It is formed using the crossing, bisecting, overline circles. Venn diagram is also known by the name logic diagram, set diagram.

It is the best approach to demonstrate various operations of the set for example compliment, difference, union, and the intersection of a given set.

Venn diagram of set operations

In the set theory, the operations performed on sets are:

  • Complement of set

  • Intersection of set

  • Union of set

Different properties of sets operations

Compliment of set properties

  • φ′ = U

  • (A ∪ B)′ = A′ ∩ B′

  • U′ = φ

  • A ∪ A′ = U

  • (A ∩ B)′ = A′ ∪ B′

  • A ∩ A′ = φ

The intersection of two sets 

A intersection B is given by A∩ B = {x : x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.

Intersection of set properties

  • A ∩ B = B ∩ A

  • A ∩ (B ∪ C) = (A ∩ B) ∪ (A ∩ C)

  • A ∩ A = A

  • φ ∩ A = φ

  • (A ∩ B) ∩ C = A ∩ (B ∩ C)

  • A ∪ (B ∩ C) = (A ∪ B) ∩ (A ∪ C)

  •  U ∩ A = A

Union of two sets

A Union B is given by: A ∪ B = {x | x ∈A or x ∈B}.

Union operation properties

  • A ∪ A = A

  • A ∪ φ = A

  • A ∪ B = B ∪ A

  • U ∪ A = U

  • (A ∪ B) ∪ C = A ∪ (B ∪ C)

Conclusion

In the stream of mathematical studies, Union, intersection, and complement of sets play an important role. This relation and interrelation. We learned about various set operations, including union, intersection, and complement in this article. Also, their different associated properties. Venn diagram and its relation with set theory. In accordance with the mathematical studies, the Venn diagram represents different operations associated with set theory. These operations include complement, union, and intersection.

 
faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the IIT JEE Examination Preparation.

What do you understand by the union of sets?

Ans : Suppose we have two sets A and B given, then the union of set A and B  is equal to the set t...Read full

How can we find the intersection of two sets?

Ans : The intersection of two sets, A...Read full

What is the difference between union and intersection of sets?

Ans : The union of two sets A and B is defined as the set of elements that belongs to one of two A ...Read full

What do you figure out by set operations?

Ans : An explicit collection of the objects or elements is known as the sets. Any set consisting of...Read full

How is the Venn diagram helpful in set theory?

Ans : Venn diagrams are used to represent the sets in a pictorial representation and the relations ...Read full

Ans : Suppose we have two sets A and B given, then the union of set A and B  is equal to the set that involves all the elements present in the set of A and set B.

Ans : The intersection of two sets, A and B, is the set of elements that both A and B have in common.

Ans : The union of two sets A and B is defined as the set of elements that belongs to one of two A or B, or possibly both, whereas the intersection of two sets is defined as the set of elements that belong to both A and B. 

Ans : An explicit collection of the objects or elements is known as the sets. Any set consisting of all the objects or elements related to a particular medium is defined as a universal set. It is represented by U.
For any set A, which is represented as a subset of the universal set U, the complement of the set A consists of those elements which are the members or elements of the universal set U but not of the set A. The complement of any set A is represented by A′.

Ans : Venn diagrams are used to represent the sets in a pictorial representation and the relations between the sets.

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