Prove $ Atriangle(Bbackslash C)=(Atriangle B)backslash C $ iff $Acap C=emptyset$












1














Prove$$ Atriangle(Bbackslash C)=(Atriangle B)backslash C $$
If and only if $Acap C=emptyset$.



I should prove it using just or and and. Like this:

The first inclusion:
$$ x in Atriangle(Bbackslash C)\
[x in A backslash(B backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash C) backslash A]$$

I think the next step is wrong:
$$
[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]\
[x in (A backslash B) vee xin(B backslash A) ] land xnotin C\
(Atriangle B)backslash C
$$










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  • Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • I still don't know.
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • yes and they are the same
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • No, they are not.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago
















1














Prove$$ Atriangle(Bbackslash C)=(Atriangle B)backslash C $$
If and only if $Acap C=emptyset$.



I should prove it using just or and and. Like this:

The first inclusion:
$$ x in Atriangle(Bbackslash C)\
[x in A backslash(B backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash C) backslash A]$$

I think the next step is wrong:
$$
[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]\
[x in (A backslash B) vee xin(B backslash A) ] land xnotin C\
(Atriangle B)backslash C
$$










share|cite|improve this question
























  • Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • I still don't know.
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • yes and they are the same
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • No, they are not.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago














1












1








1







Prove$$ Atriangle(Bbackslash C)=(Atriangle B)backslash C $$
If and only if $Acap C=emptyset$.



I should prove it using just or and and. Like this:

The first inclusion:
$$ x in Atriangle(Bbackslash C)\
[x in A backslash(B backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash C) backslash A]$$

I think the next step is wrong:
$$
[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]\
[x in (A backslash B) vee xin(B backslash A) ] land xnotin C\
(Atriangle B)backslash C
$$










share|cite|improve this question















Prove$$ Atriangle(Bbackslash C)=(Atriangle B)backslash C $$
If and only if $Acap C=emptyset$.



I should prove it using just or and and. Like this:

The first inclusion:
$$ x in Atriangle(Bbackslash C)\
[x in A backslash(B backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash C) backslash A]$$

I think the next step is wrong:
$$
[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]\
[x in (A backslash B) vee xin(B backslash A) ] land xnotin C\
(Atriangle B)backslash C
$$







elementary-set-theory






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share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited yesterday

























asked 2 days ago









Nemanja Djordjevic

868




868












  • Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • I still don't know.
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • yes and they are the same
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • No, they are not.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago


















  • Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • I still don't know.
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago












  • yes and they are the same
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • No, they are not.
    – zipirovich
    2 days ago
















Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
– zipirovich
2 days ago






Yes, that step is indeed wrong, because the set difference operation is not associative, so let's not do that. I'd suggest that you start by drawing Venn diagrams for both $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ and $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$. You will see that, in general, they are not equal, as well as why $Acap C=varnothing$ is needed to make them equal. That may give you a hint how to approach the problem.
– zipirovich
2 days ago














I still don't know.
– Nemanja Djordjevic
2 days ago




I still don't know.
– Nemanja Djordjevic
2 days ago












Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
– zipirovich
2 days ago






Did you draw Venn diagrams for both expressions?
– zipirovich
2 days ago














yes and they are the same
– Nemanja Djordjevic
2 days ago




yes and they are the same
– Nemanja Djordjevic
2 days ago












No, they are not.
– zipirovich
2 days ago




No, they are not.
– zipirovich
2 days ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















2














We wish to prove the following theorem:
$$
Atriangle(Bsetminus C) = (Atriangle B)setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
$$

I don't particularly like obfuscating what is going on behind the symmetric difference and set-minus operators, so let us unwind that a bit:
$$
[Asetminus(Bsetminus C)]cup[(Bsetminus C)setminus A] = ([Asetminus B] cup [Bsetminus A])setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
$$

$$
[Acap(Bcap C^c)^c]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
$$

$$
[Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
$$

Now, if you squint really hard at that last line, you will see that the $Leftarrow$ direction is incredibly easy to prove! Just distribute various intersections over various unions and utilize the hypothesis that $Acap C=emptyset$ (which is equivalent to $Acap C^c=A$). You will be left with $X=X$, which is true.



For the $Rightarrow$ direction, things are a bit harder. I would recommend approaching this via the contrapositive; assume that $Acap Cneqemptyset$ and try and prove that $Atriangle(Bsetminus C) neq (Atriangle B)setminus C$. If you do this, then again we find that the proof is very straightforaward:
$$
[Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] stackrel{?}{=} ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c
$$

$$
[Acap B^c]cup[Acap C]cup[Bcap A^ccap C^c] stackrel{?}{=} [Acap B^ccap C^c] cup [Bcap A^ccap C^c]
$$

On the RHS we have the union of two disjoint sets. One of those sets also appears on the LHS, but the other is a proper subset of the first two bracketed sets on the LHS. Thus, equality is impossible!



This answer is not completely rigorous, because I got lazy and didn't want to name the element that belongs to the LHS and not the RHS for the inequality argument. However, it should be a good enough starting point for you to finish this completely.






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New contributor




ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.


















  • this supposed to be an easy proof :(
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago








  • 1




    @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
    – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
    2 days ago










  • Thank you very much!
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago



















2














No that step is correct because in the case which $$[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]$$ $x$ doesn't belong to $C$ in either cases so that you can kick $C$ out of both the bracket cases. Note that this only proves that $$Atriangle(Bbackslash C)subseteq(Atriangle B)backslash C $$you will also need a converse proof on this theorem (which is as the same proof of direct side of the theorem in reverse direction).



Alternative proof



$$Atriangle (Bbackslash C){=Big[(B-C)-ABig]cupBig[A-(B-C)Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(Bcap C')'Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(B'cup C)Big]}$$and $$(Atriangle B)backslash C{=Big[(A-B)cup(B-A)Big]cap C'\=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]\=Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]}$$then we need to show that $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)iff Acap C=emptyset$$from the other side $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cupBig[Acap CBig]{=AcapBig[(Bcup C)'cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cap C')cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap (C'cup C)Big]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap mathrm{U}Big]\=Acap(B'cup C)}$$where $mathrm{U}$ is the Universal Set. Also $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]{=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]\=Acap B'cap C'cap C\=emptyset}$$therefore $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)$$if and only if $$ Acap C=emptyset$$and the proof is complete.






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  • What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago












  • It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
    – Mostafa Ayaz
    2 days ago












  • But x belongs to B
    – Nemanja Djordjevic
    2 days ago










  • Sorry for the typo.........
    – Mostafa Ayaz
    2 days ago






  • 1




    Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
    – Mostafa Ayaz
    2 days ago



















1














OK, we want to show



$$A Delta (B setminus C) = (A Delta B)setminus C Leftrightarrow A cap C = emptyset$$



Assume we have $A cap C neq emptyset$ (so trying for the contrapositive, which seems easier as it gives us something concrete to work with). Hence we have some $p in A cap C$. Case 1: $p in B$, then $p notin (B setminus C)$ (as $p in C$) but also $p in A$, so $p in A Delta (B setminus C)$ but on the other hand $p notin A Delta B$ so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$ so we have disproved the LHS identity in this case. Case 2: $p notin B$, then $p in A Delta B$ (and still $p in C$) so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$, and $p notin B setminus C$ and still $p in A$ so $p in A Delta (Bsetminus C)$ as in case 1, we have disproved the identity again.



Now assume that $A cap C = emptyset$ holds. We want to show the LHS identity which is really two inclusions. So suppose $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$, so case 1: $x in A$ and $x notin B setminus C$. As $x notin C$ (as otherwise $A cap C neq emptyset$) we know also that $x notin B$ (or else $x in B setminus C)$ after all) and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$, so the left to right inclusion holds for case 1. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B setminus C$, and then $x in B$ and $x notin C$ and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$ and so the left to right inclusion also holds in case 2. So we're done with that inclusion. Now suppose that $x in (A Delta B) setminus C$ so $x in A Delta B$ and $x notin C$. Again 2 cases: case 1: $x in A$, $x notin B$, but then $x notin B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B$, and then $x in B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds (without even using $A cap C = emptyset$, so that inclusion always holds). So we have the LHS equality when $A$ and $C$ are disjoint.






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    0














    enter image description here



    These are the Venn diagrams for both expressions. As wee can see, they differ precisely by $Acap C$, which is why $Acap C=varnothing$ is required to make them equal. Also, notice that $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus Csubseteq Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ always; it's only the opposite inclusion that needs $Acap C=varnothing$.



    If you're expected to prove the claim using just or and and logical connectors, then your first steps look good, but then I guess you should continue expanding all the definitions. Let's see how that looks for the inclusion $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)subseteq(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C)$ that you started working on.
    $$begin{split}
    xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C) &iff left[xin Asetminus(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)setminus Aright] \
    &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)wedge xnotin Aright] \
    &iff left[xin Awedgenegleft(xin Bwedge xnotin Cright)right]veeleft[xin Bwedge xnotin Cwedge xnotin Aright] \
    &iff left[xin Awedgeleft(xnotin Bvee xin Cright)right]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright] \
    &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
    end{split}$$

    Each part of the last expression describes a piece in the Venn diagram for $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$. In particular, $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]$ is $Asetminus B$, but it includes two pieces of the Venn diagram, and we can see that we'd like to separate them:
    $$begin{split}
    xin Awedge xnotin B &iff xin Awedge xnotin Bwedgeleft(xin Cvee xnotin Cright) \
    &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
    end{split}$$

    If we put it back into the last step above, then we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
    $$left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].$$
    Moreover, we should observe that $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]$ is "included" in, i.e. describes a subset of, $left[xin Awedge xin Cright]$. We can work it out using or and and in the same fashion (I'll leave that to you), but the bottom line is that the former ends up being "consumed" by the latter, so we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
    $$color{blue}{left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright]}veecolor{red}{left[xin Awedge xin Cright]}.$$
    Note that the blue parts are precisely what is included on the other diagram, while the red part describes $Acap C$ — which is precisely what distinguishes the two diagrams.



    Now, if we work out $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$ in a similar fashion, we'll end precisely with the blue expression. That will show that the two are equal iff $Acap C=varnothing$.



    NOTE: I do realize that this solution seems lengthy and difficult. Yes, it is lengthy and tedious, but it's completely dictated by the pictures. From the visual point of view,I'd say it's pretty straightforward.






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      4 Answers
      4






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      oldest

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      4 Answers
      4






      active

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      active

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      active

      oldest

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      2














      We wish to prove the following theorem:
      $$
      Atriangle(Bsetminus C) = (Atriangle B)setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      I don't particularly like obfuscating what is going on behind the symmetric difference and set-minus operators, so let us unwind that a bit:
      $$
      [Asetminus(Bsetminus C)]cup[(Bsetminus C)setminus A] = ([Asetminus B] cup [Bsetminus A])setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(Bcap C^c)^c]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      Now, if you squint really hard at that last line, you will see that the $Leftarrow$ direction is incredibly easy to prove! Just distribute various intersections over various unions and utilize the hypothesis that $Acap C=emptyset$ (which is equivalent to $Acap C^c=A$). You will be left with $X=X$, which is true.



      For the $Rightarrow$ direction, things are a bit harder. I would recommend approaching this via the contrapositive; assume that $Acap Cneqemptyset$ and try and prove that $Atriangle(Bsetminus C) neq (Atriangle B)setminus C$. If you do this, then again we find that the proof is very straightforaward:
      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] stackrel{?}{=} ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c
      $$

      $$
      [Acap B^c]cup[Acap C]cup[Bcap A^ccap C^c] stackrel{?}{=} [Acap B^ccap C^c] cup [Bcap A^ccap C^c]
      $$

      On the RHS we have the union of two disjoint sets. One of those sets also appears on the LHS, but the other is a proper subset of the first two bracketed sets on the LHS. Thus, equality is impossible!



      This answer is not completely rigorous, because I got lazy and didn't want to name the element that belongs to the LHS and not the RHS for the inequality argument. However, it should be a good enough starting point for you to finish this completely.






      share|cite|improve this answer








      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.


















      • this supposed to be an easy proof :(
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
        – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
        2 days ago










      • Thank you very much!
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago
















      2














      We wish to prove the following theorem:
      $$
      Atriangle(Bsetminus C) = (Atriangle B)setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      I don't particularly like obfuscating what is going on behind the symmetric difference and set-minus operators, so let us unwind that a bit:
      $$
      [Asetminus(Bsetminus C)]cup[(Bsetminus C)setminus A] = ([Asetminus B] cup [Bsetminus A])setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(Bcap C^c)^c]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      Now, if you squint really hard at that last line, you will see that the $Leftarrow$ direction is incredibly easy to prove! Just distribute various intersections over various unions and utilize the hypothesis that $Acap C=emptyset$ (which is equivalent to $Acap C^c=A$). You will be left with $X=X$, which is true.



      For the $Rightarrow$ direction, things are a bit harder. I would recommend approaching this via the contrapositive; assume that $Acap Cneqemptyset$ and try and prove that $Atriangle(Bsetminus C) neq (Atriangle B)setminus C$. If you do this, then again we find that the proof is very straightforaward:
      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] stackrel{?}{=} ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c
      $$

      $$
      [Acap B^c]cup[Acap C]cup[Bcap A^ccap C^c] stackrel{?}{=} [Acap B^ccap C^c] cup [Bcap A^ccap C^c]
      $$

      On the RHS we have the union of two disjoint sets. One of those sets also appears on the LHS, but the other is a proper subset of the first two bracketed sets on the LHS. Thus, equality is impossible!



      This answer is not completely rigorous, because I got lazy and didn't want to name the element that belongs to the LHS and not the RHS for the inequality argument. However, it should be a good enough starting point for you to finish this completely.






      share|cite|improve this answer








      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.


















      • this supposed to be an easy proof :(
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
        – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
        2 days ago










      • Thank you very much!
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago














      2












      2








      2






      We wish to prove the following theorem:
      $$
      Atriangle(Bsetminus C) = (Atriangle B)setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      I don't particularly like obfuscating what is going on behind the symmetric difference and set-minus operators, so let us unwind that a bit:
      $$
      [Asetminus(Bsetminus C)]cup[(Bsetminus C)setminus A] = ([Asetminus B] cup [Bsetminus A])setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(Bcap C^c)^c]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      Now, if you squint really hard at that last line, you will see that the $Leftarrow$ direction is incredibly easy to prove! Just distribute various intersections over various unions and utilize the hypothesis that $Acap C=emptyset$ (which is equivalent to $Acap C^c=A$). You will be left with $X=X$, which is true.



      For the $Rightarrow$ direction, things are a bit harder. I would recommend approaching this via the contrapositive; assume that $Acap Cneqemptyset$ and try and prove that $Atriangle(Bsetminus C) neq (Atriangle B)setminus C$. If you do this, then again we find that the proof is very straightforaward:
      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] stackrel{?}{=} ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c
      $$

      $$
      [Acap B^c]cup[Acap C]cup[Bcap A^ccap C^c] stackrel{?}{=} [Acap B^ccap C^c] cup [Bcap A^ccap C^c]
      $$

      On the RHS we have the union of two disjoint sets. One of those sets also appears on the LHS, but the other is a proper subset of the first two bracketed sets on the LHS. Thus, equality is impossible!



      This answer is not completely rigorous, because I got lazy and didn't want to name the element that belongs to the LHS and not the RHS for the inequality argument. However, it should be a good enough starting point for you to finish this completely.






      share|cite|improve this answer








      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      We wish to prove the following theorem:
      $$
      Atriangle(Bsetminus C) = (Atriangle B)setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      I don't particularly like obfuscating what is going on behind the symmetric difference and set-minus operators, so let us unwind that a bit:
      $$
      [Asetminus(Bsetminus C)]cup[(Bsetminus C)setminus A] = ([Asetminus B] cup [Bsetminus A])setminus C quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(Bcap C^c)^c]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] = ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c quad Leftrightarrow quad Acap C=emptyset
      $$

      Now, if you squint really hard at that last line, you will see that the $Leftarrow$ direction is incredibly easy to prove! Just distribute various intersections over various unions and utilize the hypothesis that $Acap C=emptyset$ (which is equivalent to $Acap C^c=A$). You will be left with $X=X$, which is true.



      For the $Rightarrow$ direction, things are a bit harder. I would recommend approaching this via the contrapositive; assume that $Acap Cneqemptyset$ and try and prove that $Atriangle(Bsetminus C) neq (Atriangle B)setminus C$. If you do this, then again we find that the proof is very straightforaward:
      $$
      [Acap(B^ccup C)]cup[(Bcap C^c)cap A^c] stackrel{?}{=} ([Acap B^c] cup [Bcap A^c])cap C^c
      $$

      $$
      [Acap B^c]cup[Acap C]cup[Bcap A^ccap C^c] stackrel{?}{=} [Acap B^ccap C^c] cup [Bcap A^ccap C^c]
      $$

      On the RHS we have the union of two disjoint sets. One of those sets also appears on the LHS, but the other is a proper subset of the first two bracketed sets on the LHS. Thus, equality is impossible!



      This answer is not completely rigorous, because I got lazy and didn't want to name the element that belongs to the LHS and not the RHS for the inequality argument. However, it should be a good enough starting point for you to finish this completely.







      share|cite|improve this answer








      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer






      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      answered 2 days ago









      ItsJustTranscendenceBro

      1712




      1712




      New contributor




      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      New contributor





      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      ItsJustTranscendenceBro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      • this supposed to be an easy proof :(
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
        – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
        2 days ago










      • Thank you very much!
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago


















      • this supposed to be an easy proof :(
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago








      • 1




        @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
        – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
        2 days ago










      • Thank you very much!
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago
















      this supposed to be an easy proof :(
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago






      this supposed to be an easy proof :(
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago






      1




      1




      @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
      – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
      2 days ago




      @NemanjaDjordjevic To be fair, this is an easy argument. It just happens to also look long and messy. Perhaps there is a slick and fast way, but for me this makes the most sense and is the easiest proof I could come up with.
      – ItsJustTranscendenceBro
      2 days ago












      Thank you very much!
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago




      Thank you very much!
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago











      2














      No that step is correct because in the case which $$[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]$$ $x$ doesn't belong to $C$ in either cases so that you can kick $C$ out of both the bracket cases. Note that this only proves that $$Atriangle(Bbackslash C)subseteq(Atriangle B)backslash C $$you will also need a converse proof on this theorem (which is as the same proof of direct side of the theorem in reverse direction).



      Alternative proof



      $$Atriangle (Bbackslash C){=Big[(B-C)-ABig]cupBig[A-(B-C)Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(Bcap C')'Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(B'cup C)Big]}$$and $$(Atriangle B)backslash C{=Big[(A-B)cup(B-A)Big]cap C'\=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]\=Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]}$$then we need to show that $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)iff Acap C=emptyset$$from the other side $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cupBig[Acap CBig]{=AcapBig[(Bcup C)'cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cap C')cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap (C'cup C)Big]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap mathrm{U}Big]\=Acap(B'cup C)}$$where $mathrm{U}$ is the Universal Set. Also $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]{=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]\=Acap B'cap C'cap C\=emptyset}$$therefore $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)$$if and only if $$ Acap C=emptyset$$and the proof is complete.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago












      • It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago












      • But x belongs to B
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago










      • Sorry for the typo.........
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago






      • 1




        Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago
















      2














      No that step is correct because in the case which $$[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]$$ $x$ doesn't belong to $C$ in either cases so that you can kick $C$ out of both the bracket cases. Note that this only proves that $$Atriangle(Bbackslash C)subseteq(Atriangle B)backslash C $$you will also need a converse proof on this theorem (which is as the same proof of direct side of the theorem in reverse direction).



      Alternative proof



      $$Atriangle (Bbackslash C){=Big[(B-C)-ABig]cupBig[A-(B-C)Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(Bcap C')'Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(B'cup C)Big]}$$and $$(Atriangle B)backslash C{=Big[(A-B)cup(B-A)Big]cap C'\=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]\=Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]}$$then we need to show that $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)iff Acap C=emptyset$$from the other side $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cupBig[Acap CBig]{=AcapBig[(Bcup C)'cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cap C')cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap (C'cup C)Big]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap mathrm{U}Big]\=Acap(B'cup C)}$$where $mathrm{U}$ is the Universal Set. Also $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]{=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]\=Acap B'cap C'cap C\=emptyset}$$therefore $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)$$if and only if $$ Acap C=emptyset$$and the proof is complete.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago












      • It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago












      • But x belongs to B
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago










      • Sorry for the typo.........
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago






      • 1




        Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago














      2












      2








      2






      No that step is correct because in the case which $$[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]$$ $x$ doesn't belong to $C$ in either cases so that you can kick $C$ out of both the bracket cases. Note that this only proves that $$Atriangle(Bbackslash C)subseteq(Atriangle B)backslash C $$you will also need a converse proof on this theorem (which is as the same proof of direct side of the theorem in reverse direction).



      Alternative proof



      $$Atriangle (Bbackslash C){=Big[(B-C)-ABig]cupBig[A-(B-C)Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(Bcap C')'Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(B'cup C)Big]}$$and $$(Atriangle B)backslash C{=Big[(A-B)cup(B-A)Big]cap C'\=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]\=Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]}$$then we need to show that $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)iff Acap C=emptyset$$from the other side $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cupBig[Acap CBig]{=AcapBig[(Bcup C)'cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cap C')cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap (C'cup C)Big]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap mathrm{U}Big]\=Acap(B'cup C)}$$where $mathrm{U}$ is the Universal Set. Also $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]{=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]\=Acap B'cap C'cap C\=emptyset}$$therefore $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)$$if and only if $$ Acap C=emptyset$$and the proof is complete.






      share|cite|improve this answer














      No that step is correct because in the case which $$[x in (A backslash B) backslash C)] vee [xin(B backslash A) backslash C]$$ $x$ doesn't belong to $C$ in either cases so that you can kick $C$ out of both the bracket cases. Note that this only proves that $$Atriangle(Bbackslash C)subseteq(Atriangle B)backslash C $$you will also need a converse proof on this theorem (which is as the same proof of direct side of the theorem in reverse direction).



      Alternative proof



      $$Atriangle (Bbackslash C){=Big[(B-C)-ABig]cupBig[A-(B-C)Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(Bcap C')'Big]\=Big[Bcap C'cap A']cupBig[Acap(B'cup C)Big]}$$and $$(Atriangle B)backslash C{=Big[(A-B)cup(B-A)Big]cap C'\=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]\=Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cup Big[Bcap C'cap A'Big]}$$then we need to show that $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)iff Acap C=emptyset$$from the other side $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]cupBig[Acap CBig]{=AcapBig[(Bcup C)'cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cap C')cup CBig]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap (C'cup C)Big]\=AcapBig[(B'cup C)cap mathrm{U}Big]\=Acap(B'cup C)}$$where $mathrm{U}$ is the Universal Set. Also $$Big[Acap (Bcup C)'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]{=Big[Acap B'cap C'Big]capBig[Acap CBig]\=Acap B'cap C'cap C\=emptyset}$$therefore $$Acap (Bcup C)'=Acap(B'cup C)$$if and only if $$ Acap C=emptyset$$and the proof is complete.







      share|cite|improve this answer














      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      edited 2 days ago

























      answered 2 days ago









      Mostafa Ayaz

      14.1k3937




      14.1k3937












      • What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago












      • It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago












      • But x belongs to B
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago










      • Sorry for the typo.........
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago






      • 1




        Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago


















      • What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago












      • It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago












      • But x belongs to B
        – Nemanja Djordjevic
        2 days ago










      • Sorry for the typo.........
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago






      • 1




        Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
        – Mostafa Ayaz
        2 days ago
















      What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago






      What tells us that $xin(B backslash A) backslash C$ this is true?
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago














      It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago






      It means that $x$ belongs to $B$ but not to either $A$ or $C$. Another way of expressing it is as $$xin Bcap A'cap C'$$
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago














      But x belongs to B
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago




      But x belongs to B
      – Nemanja Djordjevic
      2 days ago












      Sorry for the typo.........
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago




      Sorry for the typo.........
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago




      1




      1




      Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago




      Yes because the taking complementary then intersection operation is associative i.e. $$((A-B_1)-B_2)-cdots - B_n=Abigcap_{i=1}^{n}B_i'=Acapleft(bigcup_{i=1}^{n}B_iright)'$$
      – Mostafa Ayaz
      2 days ago











      1














      OK, we want to show



      $$A Delta (B setminus C) = (A Delta B)setminus C Leftrightarrow A cap C = emptyset$$



      Assume we have $A cap C neq emptyset$ (so trying for the contrapositive, which seems easier as it gives us something concrete to work with). Hence we have some $p in A cap C$. Case 1: $p in B$, then $p notin (B setminus C)$ (as $p in C$) but also $p in A$, so $p in A Delta (B setminus C)$ but on the other hand $p notin A Delta B$ so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$ so we have disproved the LHS identity in this case. Case 2: $p notin B$, then $p in A Delta B$ (and still $p in C$) so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$, and $p notin B setminus C$ and still $p in A$ so $p in A Delta (Bsetminus C)$ as in case 1, we have disproved the identity again.



      Now assume that $A cap C = emptyset$ holds. We want to show the LHS identity which is really two inclusions. So suppose $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$, so case 1: $x in A$ and $x notin B setminus C$. As $x notin C$ (as otherwise $A cap C neq emptyset$) we know also that $x notin B$ (or else $x in B setminus C)$ after all) and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$, so the left to right inclusion holds for case 1. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B setminus C$, and then $x in B$ and $x notin C$ and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$ and so the left to right inclusion also holds in case 2. So we're done with that inclusion. Now suppose that $x in (A Delta B) setminus C$ so $x in A Delta B$ and $x notin C$. Again 2 cases: case 1: $x in A$, $x notin B$, but then $x notin B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B$, and then $x in B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds (without even using $A cap C = emptyset$, so that inclusion always holds). So we have the LHS equality when $A$ and $C$ are disjoint.






      share|cite|improve this answer


























        1














        OK, we want to show



        $$A Delta (B setminus C) = (A Delta B)setminus C Leftrightarrow A cap C = emptyset$$



        Assume we have $A cap C neq emptyset$ (so trying for the contrapositive, which seems easier as it gives us something concrete to work with). Hence we have some $p in A cap C$. Case 1: $p in B$, then $p notin (B setminus C)$ (as $p in C$) but also $p in A$, so $p in A Delta (B setminus C)$ but on the other hand $p notin A Delta B$ so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$ so we have disproved the LHS identity in this case. Case 2: $p notin B$, then $p in A Delta B$ (and still $p in C$) so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$, and $p notin B setminus C$ and still $p in A$ so $p in A Delta (Bsetminus C)$ as in case 1, we have disproved the identity again.



        Now assume that $A cap C = emptyset$ holds. We want to show the LHS identity which is really two inclusions. So suppose $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$, so case 1: $x in A$ and $x notin B setminus C$. As $x notin C$ (as otherwise $A cap C neq emptyset$) we know also that $x notin B$ (or else $x in B setminus C)$ after all) and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$, so the left to right inclusion holds for case 1. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B setminus C$, and then $x in B$ and $x notin C$ and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$ and so the left to right inclusion also holds in case 2. So we're done with that inclusion. Now suppose that $x in (A Delta B) setminus C$ so $x in A Delta B$ and $x notin C$. Again 2 cases: case 1: $x in A$, $x notin B$, but then $x notin B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B$, and then $x in B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds (without even using $A cap C = emptyset$, so that inclusion always holds). So we have the LHS equality when $A$ and $C$ are disjoint.






        share|cite|improve this answer
























          1












          1








          1






          OK, we want to show



          $$A Delta (B setminus C) = (A Delta B)setminus C Leftrightarrow A cap C = emptyset$$



          Assume we have $A cap C neq emptyset$ (so trying for the contrapositive, which seems easier as it gives us something concrete to work with). Hence we have some $p in A cap C$. Case 1: $p in B$, then $p notin (B setminus C)$ (as $p in C$) but also $p in A$, so $p in A Delta (B setminus C)$ but on the other hand $p notin A Delta B$ so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$ so we have disproved the LHS identity in this case. Case 2: $p notin B$, then $p in A Delta B$ (and still $p in C$) so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$, and $p notin B setminus C$ and still $p in A$ so $p in A Delta (Bsetminus C)$ as in case 1, we have disproved the identity again.



          Now assume that $A cap C = emptyset$ holds. We want to show the LHS identity which is really two inclusions. So suppose $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$, so case 1: $x in A$ and $x notin B setminus C$. As $x notin C$ (as otherwise $A cap C neq emptyset$) we know also that $x notin B$ (or else $x in B setminus C)$ after all) and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$, so the left to right inclusion holds for case 1. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B setminus C$, and then $x in B$ and $x notin C$ and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$ and so the left to right inclusion also holds in case 2. So we're done with that inclusion. Now suppose that $x in (A Delta B) setminus C$ so $x in A Delta B$ and $x notin C$. Again 2 cases: case 1: $x in A$, $x notin B$, but then $x notin B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B$, and then $x in B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds (without even using $A cap C = emptyset$, so that inclusion always holds). So we have the LHS equality when $A$ and $C$ are disjoint.






          share|cite|improve this answer












          OK, we want to show



          $$A Delta (B setminus C) = (A Delta B)setminus C Leftrightarrow A cap C = emptyset$$



          Assume we have $A cap C neq emptyset$ (so trying for the contrapositive, which seems easier as it gives us something concrete to work with). Hence we have some $p in A cap C$. Case 1: $p in B$, then $p notin (B setminus C)$ (as $p in C$) but also $p in A$, so $p in A Delta (B setminus C)$ but on the other hand $p notin A Delta B$ so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$ so we have disproved the LHS identity in this case. Case 2: $p notin B$, then $p in A Delta B$ (and still $p in C$) so $p notin (A Delta B) setminus C$, and $p notin B setminus C$ and still $p in A$ so $p in A Delta (Bsetminus C)$ as in case 1, we have disproved the identity again.



          Now assume that $A cap C = emptyset$ holds. We want to show the LHS identity which is really two inclusions. So suppose $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$, so case 1: $x in A$ and $x notin B setminus C$. As $x notin C$ (as otherwise $A cap C neq emptyset$) we know also that $x notin B$ (or else $x in B setminus C)$ after all) and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$, so the left to right inclusion holds for case 1. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B setminus C$, and then $x in B$ and $x notin C$ and so $x in (A Delta B)setminus C$ and so the left to right inclusion also holds in case 2. So we're done with that inclusion. Now suppose that $x in (A Delta B) setminus C$ so $x in A Delta B$ and $x notin C$. Again 2 cases: case 1: $x in A$, $x notin B$, but then $x notin B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds. Case 2: $x notin A$ and $x in B$, and then $x in B setminus C$ and so $x in A Delta (B setminus C)$ and the right to left inclusion holds (without even using $A cap C = emptyset$, so that inclusion always holds). So we have the LHS equality when $A$ and $C$ are disjoint.







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          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered 2 days ago









          Henno Brandsma

          105k347114




          105k347114























              0














              enter image description here



              These are the Venn diagrams for both expressions. As wee can see, they differ precisely by $Acap C$, which is why $Acap C=varnothing$ is required to make them equal. Also, notice that $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus Csubseteq Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ always; it's only the opposite inclusion that needs $Acap C=varnothing$.



              If you're expected to prove the claim using just or and and logical connectors, then your first steps look good, but then I guess you should continue expanding all the definitions. Let's see how that looks for the inclusion $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)subseteq(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C)$ that you started working on.
              $$begin{split}
              xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C) &iff left[xin Asetminus(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)setminus Aright] \
              &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)wedge xnotin Aright] \
              &iff left[xin Awedgenegleft(xin Bwedge xnotin Cright)right]veeleft[xin Bwedge xnotin Cwedge xnotin Aright] \
              &iff left[xin Awedgeleft(xnotin Bvee xin Cright)right]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright] \
              &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
              end{split}$$

              Each part of the last expression describes a piece in the Venn diagram for $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$. In particular, $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]$ is $Asetminus B$, but it includes two pieces of the Venn diagram, and we can see that we'd like to separate them:
              $$begin{split}
              xin Awedge xnotin B &iff xin Awedge xnotin Bwedgeleft(xin Cvee xnotin Cright) \
              &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
              end{split}$$

              If we put it back into the last step above, then we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
              $$left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].$$
              Moreover, we should observe that $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]$ is "included" in, i.e. describes a subset of, $left[xin Awedge xin Cright]$. We can work it out using or and and in the same fashion (I'll leave that to you), but the bottom line is that the former ends up being "consumed" by the latter, so we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
              $$color{blue}{left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright]}veecolor{red}{left[xin Awedge xin Cright]}.$$
              Note that the blue parts are precisely what is included on the other diagram, while the red part describes $Acap C$ — which is precisely what distinguishes the two diagrams.



              Now, if we work out $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$ in a similar fashion, we'll end precisely with the blue expression. That will show that the two are equal iff $Acap C=varnothing$.



              NOTE: I do realize that this solution seems lengthy and difficult. Yes, it is lengthy and tedious, but it's completely dictated by the pictures. From the visual point of view,I'd say it's pretty straightforward.






              share|cite|improve this answer


























                0














                enter image description here



                These are the Venn diagrams for both expressions. As wee can see, they differ precisely by $Acap C$, which is why $Acap C=varnothing$ is required to make them equal. Also, notice that $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus Csubseteq Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ always; it's only the opposite inclusion that needs $Acap C=varnothing$.



                If you're expected to prove the claim using just or and and logical connectors, then your first steps look good, but then I guess you should continue expanding all the definitions. Let's see how that looks for the inclusion $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)subseteq(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C)$ that you started working on.
                $$begin{split}
                xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C) &iff left[xin Asetminus(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)setminus Aright] \
                &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)wedge xnotin Aright] \
                &iff left[xin Awedgenegleft(xin Bwedge xnotin Cright)right]veeleft[xin Bwedge xnotin Cwedge xnotin Aright] \
                &iff left[xin Awedgeleft(xnotin Bvee xin Cright)right]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright] \
                &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                end{split}$$

                Each part of the last expression describes a piece in the Venn diagram for $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$. In particular, $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]$ is $Asetminus B$, but it includes two pieces of the Venn diagram, and we can see that we'd like to separate them:
                $$begin{split}
                xin Awedge xnotin B &iff xin Awedge xnotin Bwedgeleft(xin Cvee xnotin Cright) \
                &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                end{split}$$

                If we put it back into the last step above, then we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                $$left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].$$
                Moreover, we should observe that $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]$ is "included" in, i.e. describes a subset of, $left[xin Awedge xin Cright]$. We can work it out using or and and in the same fashion (I'll leave that to you), but the bottom line is that the former ends up being "consumed" by the latter, so we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                $$color{blue}{left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright]}veecolor{red}{left[xin Awedge xin Cright]}.$$
                Note that the blue parts are precisely what is included on the other diagram, while the red part describes $Acap C$ — which is precisely what distinguishes the two diagrams.



                Now, if we work out $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$ in a similar fashion, we'll end precisely with the blue expression. That will show that the two are equal iff $Acap C=varnothing$.



                NOTE: I do realize that this solution seems lengthy and difficult. Yes, it is lengthy and tedious, but it's completely dictated by the pictures. From the visual point of view,I'd say it's pretty straightforward.






                share|cite|improve this answer
























                  0












                  0








                  0






                  enter image description here



                  These are the Venn diagrams for both expressions. As wee can see, they differ precisely by $Acap C$, which is why $Acap C=varnothing$ is required to make them equal. Also, notice that $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus Csubseteq Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ always; it's only the opposite inclusion that needs $Acap C=varnothing$.



                  If you're expected to prove the claim using just or and and logical connectors, then your first steps look good, but then I guess you should continue expanding all the definitions. Let's see how that looks for the inclusion $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)subseteq(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C)$ that you started working on.
                  $$begin{split}
                  xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C) &iff left[xin Asetminus(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)setminus Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)wedge xnotin Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedgenegleft(xin Bwedge xnotin Cright)right]veeleft[xin Bwedge xnotin Cwedge xnotin Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedgeleft(xnotin Bvee xin Cright)right]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                  end{split}$$

                  Each part of the last expression describes a piece in the Venn diagram for $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$. In particular, $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]$ is $Asetminus B$, but it includes two pieces of the Venn diagram, and we can see that we'd like to separate them:
                  $$begin{split}
                  xin Awedge xnotin B &iff xin Awedge xnotin Bwedgeleft(xin Cvee xnotin Cright) \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                  end{split}$$

                  If we put it back into the last step above, then we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                  $$left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].$$
                  Moreover, we should observe that $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]$ is "included" in, i.e. describes a subset of, $left[xin Awedge xin Cright]$. We can work it out using or and and in the same fashion (I'll leave that to you), but the bottom line is that the former ends up being "consumed" by the latter, so we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                  $$color{blue}{left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright]}veecolor{red}{left[xin Awedge xin Cright]}.$$
                  Note that the blue parts are precisely what is included on the other diagram, while the red part describes $Acap C$ — which is precisely what distinguishes the two diagrams.



                  Now, if we work out $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$ in a similar fashion, we'll end precisely with the blue expression. That will show that the two are equal iff $Acap C=varnothing$.



                  NOTE: I do realize that this solution seems lengthy and difficult. Yes, it is lengthy and tedious, but it's completely dictated by the pictures. From the visual point of view,I'd say it's pretty straightforward.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  enter image description here



                  These are the Venn diagrams for both expressions. As wee can see, they differ precisely by $Acap C$, which is why $Acap C=varnothing$ is required to make them equal. Also, notice that $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus Csubseteq Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ always; it's only the opposite inclusion that needs $Acap C=varnothing$.



                  If you're expected to prove the claim using just or and and logical connectors, then your first steps look good, but then I guess you should continue expanding all the definitions. Let's see how that looks for the inclusion $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)subseteq(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C)$ that you started working on.
                  $$begin{split}
                  xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C) &iff left[xin Asetminus(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)setminus Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin(Bsetminus C)right]veeleft[xin(Bsetminus C)wedge xnotin Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedgenegleft(xin Bwedge xnotin Cright)right]veeleft[xin Bwedge xnotin Cwedge xnotin Aright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedgeleft(xnotin Bvee xin Cright)right]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright] \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                  end{split}$$

                  Each part of the last expression describes a piece in the Venn diagram for $Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$. In particular, $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bright]$ is $Asetminus B$, but it includes two pieces of the Venn diagram, and we can see that we'd like to separate them:
                  $$begin{split}
                  xin Awedge xnotin B &iff xin Awedge xnotin Bwedgeleft(xin Cvee xnotin Cright) \
                  &iff left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright].
                  end{split}$$

                  If we put it back into the last step above, then we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                  $$left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xin Awedge xin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright].$$
                  Moreover, we should observe that $left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xin Cright]$ is "included" in, i.e. describes a subset of, $left[xin Awedge xin Cright]$. We can work it out using or and and in the same fashion (I'll leave that to you), but the bottom line is that the former ends up being "consumed" by the latter, so we'll get that $xin Abigtriangleup(Bsetminus C)$ iff
                  $$color{blue}{left[xin Awedge xnotin Bwedge xnotin Cright]veeleft[xnotin Awedge xin Bwedge xnotin Cright]}veecolor{red}{left[xin Awedge xin Cright]}.$$
                  Note that the blue parts are precisely what is included on the other diagram, while the red part describes $Acap C$ — which is precisely what distinguishes the two diagrams.



                  Now, if we work out $(Abigtriangleup B)setminus C$ in a similar fashion, we'll end precisely with the blue expression. That will show that the two are equal iff $Acap C=varnothing$.



                  NOTE: I do realize that this solution seems lengthy and difficult. Yes, it is lengthy and tedious, but it's completely dictated by the pictures. From the visual point of view,I'd say it's pretty straightforward.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered yesterday









                  zipirovich

                  11.1k11631




                  11.1k11631






























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