157k views
1 vote
Prove the first associative law from Table 1 by show-

ing that if A, B, and C are sets, then A ∪ (B ∪ C) =

(A ∪ B) ∪ C.

User Vivianne
by
7.3k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

Explanation:

o prove the first associative law of set theory, we need to show that for any sets A, B, and C:

A ∪ (B ∪ C) = (A ∪ B) ∪ C

To do this, we need to show that any element that is in the left-hand side of the equation is also in the right-hand side, and vice versa.

First, let's consider an arbitrary element x.

If x ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), then x must be in A, or in B, or in C (or in two or more of these sets).

If x ∈ A, then x ∈ A ∪ B, and so x ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

If x ∈ B, then x ∈ B ∪ C, and so x ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), which means that x ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

If x ∈ C, then x ∈ B ∪ C, and so x ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), which means that x ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

Therefore, we have shown that if x ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), then x ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

Next, let's consider an arbitrary element y.

If y ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C, then y must be in A, or in B, or in C (or in two or more of these sets).

If y ∈ A, then y ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), and so y ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

If y ∈ B, then y ∈ A ∪ B, and so y ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C), which means that y ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

If y ∈ C, then y ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

Therefore, we have shown that if y ∈ (A ∪ B) ∪ C, then y ∈ A ∪ (B ∪ C).

Since we have shown that any element that is in the left-hand side of the equation is also in the right-hand side, and vice versa, we can conclude that:

A ∪ (B ∪ C) = (A ∪ B) ∪ C

This proves the first associative law of set theory.

User Chronosynclastic
by
8.4k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.