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Let A, B, and C be any sets with A ⊆ C and B ⊆ C. Show that A – B = A ∩ (C – B).

Can you help me prove the proof holds true?

1 Answer

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I assume A - B is the complement of B in A, i.e. all elements of A that do not belong to B.

To prove equality between two sets, you have to show they are subsets of one another. To prove one set is a subset of another set, you have to show that any element in the first set belongs to the second set.

So, to show that A - B = A ∩ (C - B), you have to prove

A - BA ∩ (C - B)

A ∩ (C - B) ⊆ A - B

Left to right:

Let xA - B.

By definition of set complement, xA and xB.

Since AC, xC.

So xC - B, and by definition of set intersection, x A ∩ (C - B).

This proves A - BA ∩ (C - B).

Right to left:

Let xA ∩ (C - B).

By definition of set intersection, xA and xC - B.

By definition of set complement, xC and xB.

Again by definition of complement, xA and xB means that xA - B.

This proves A ∩ (C - B) ⊆ A - B.

Both sets are subsets of one another, so A - B = A ∩ (C - B).

User Madeyedexter
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