Probability

Introduction to Sets and Venn Diagrams

 Learning Objective
• To be able to place elements and frequencies in a Venn diagram.

Success Criteria
• To be able to give sets and their elements from their descriptions.
• To be able to correctly complete a Venn diagram using elements or frequencies.
 What Is a Set
Given the following rules, write the information found in sets A, B, C and D in full.

A is the set of days with the letter E in their name.

A = {Tuesday, Wednesday}

B is the set of square numbers between 20 and 50.

B = {25, 36, 49}

C is the set of months that begin with a vowel.

C = {April, August, October}

D is the set of numbers that are both a factor of 24 and a multiple of 2.

D = {2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24}

In maths, a set is a collection or a group. It is written as a list of its members

(or elements), separated by commas, within a pair of curly brackets. We can also refer to a set
by a capital letter for shorthand.

Let’s say that E is the set of positive even numbers less than 12: E = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
 Working with the Universal Set
When completing a question about sets, you will be given a set of all of the elements you will
be working with.
We call this full list of elements the universal set.
The universal set will vary from question to question.
We use the Greek letter epsilon (Ɛ) to denote the universal set.

Now give the sets described in the following situation:

Ɛ = positive whole numbers less than 20
A = factors of 48
B = cube numbers
C = even numbers

Ɛ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19}
A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16}
B = {1, 8}
C = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18}

Notice how the universal set affects the other sets. For example, the highest even number in set
C is 18, because we are only using the whole numbers less than 20.
 Working with the Universal Set
Ɛ = the colours of the rainbow
A = colours in the Union Jack
B = colours with the letter r in the name
C = colours in the Welsh Flag

Ɛ = {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet}

A = {red, blue}
B = {red, orange, green}
C = {green, red}
 What Is a Venn Diagram
A Venn diagram can be used to represent sets. It consists of a rectangle, with a number of
circles inside it; these circles are usually overlapping.

Ɛ
A B

Each labelled circle is used for one set and the elements of that set go into that circle.

Where two circles overlap, the overlap area will contain any elements that are in
both sets.

Ɛ, the universal set represents everything in the circles and the rectangle.
 Showing Sets on a Venn Diagram
Ɛ = positive whole numbers less than 10 Ɛ
A = prime numbers
A B
B = even numbers
In order to show these on a Venn diagram, 3 4
it will be useful to show the sets in their list 5 2 6
form first: 7 8
Ɛ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} 1
A = {2, 3, 5, 7} 9
B = {2, 4, 6, 8}

When entering elements, it’s easiest to begin with the elements in the overlap. Looking at the
elements of A and B, we see that 2 is the only one which is common to both.

We can now place the other elements of set A – that is 3, 5 and 7.

The remaining elements of set B are 4, 6 and 8.

Finally, we consider the universal set; since 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have already been placed, only
1 and 9 remain. These must be placed outside of the circles, within
the rectangle.
 Showing Sets on a Venn Diagram
Can you show the following sets on a Venn diagram?
Ɛ = {Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Lampeter, Swansea}
L = {Cities with more than 7 letters in their name.}
S = {Cities in Scotland}

Ɛ = {Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Lampeter, Swansea}

L = {Inverness, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Lampeter}
S = {Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow}

Ɛ
L S

Manchester
Inverness
Birmingham Glasgow
Edinburgh
Lampeter

Leeds Cardiff Swansea

 Why Do We Use Venn Diagrams?
Ɛ = positive whole numbers less than 10 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
A = prime numbers = {2, 3, 5, 7}
B = even numbers = {2, 4, 6, 8}

Ɛ
A B
3 4
5 2 6
7 8
1
9

The advantage of the Venn diagram over the listed sets is that it is easier to
interpret visually.

Use both the written sets and the Venn diagram to find:
•the numbers that are both prime and even: 2
•the numbers that are prime but not even: 3, 5, 7
•the numbers that are not prime: 1, 4, 6, 8, 9
 Drawing Venn Diagrams with
Three Circles
Ɛ = {integers from 1 to 10 inclusive}
A = {square numbers}
B = {prime numbers}
C = {odd numbers}

Can you work out the elements of each of the 4 sets?

Ɛ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {1, 4, 9}
B = {2, 3, 5, 7}
C = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
 Drawing Venn Diagrams with
Three Circles
Next, can you place the elements of the sets into the Venn diagram?
Ɛ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {1, 4, 9}
B = {2, 3, 5, 7}
C = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}

To begin with, look for any elements that are in all three sets.
In this example, there are no such elements, so we leave the central overlap blank.
Sets A and B also have no common elements.
Ɛ
1 and 9 are common to sets A and C. A
Cross out the numbers as you place them in the Venn 4
diagram.
3, 5 and 7 are common to sets B and C. 1 6
4 is in set A only. B 9 C 8
2 is in set B only. 10
There are a number of elements in Ɛ which have not 2 3 5
been placed. 6, 8 and 10 must go in the rectangle, but
7
not in any of the circles.
 Entering Frequencies in a
Venn Diagram
Sometimes, instead of entering the elements of each set into the Venn diagram, we enter the
frequencies – that is, the number of elements in each region.

If a region is empty on the individual elements Venn diagram it cannot be empty on the
frequency Venn diagram; we enter a 0.

Individual elements Frequency

Ɛ Ɛ
6
A A
4 8 1 3
10
1
B C B 0 2 C
9 0
2 3 5 1 0
3
7
 Entering Frequencies in a
Venn Diagram
Now produce a Venn diagram to show the frequencies which relate to this Venn diagram
showing elements.

Ɛ= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
A= {2, 3, 5, 7}
B= {2, 4, 6, 8}

Individual elements Frequency

Ɛ Ɛ
A B A B
3 4
5 2 6 3 1 3
7 8
1
2
9
 Introduction to Sets and Venn Diagrams
Activity Sheet
Now work individually to complete the Activity Sheet.
 Other Methods of Displaying Data
Ɛ = {the even numbers less than 20}
F = {the multiples of 4}
S = {the square numbers}

Show this information on a Venn diagram.

Now try to think of some other ways to present the data.
Which of these methods would you not be able to use if you had been given three sets as well
as the universal set?

You may have thought of a two way table, lists, a one way table, a frequency tree and maybe
some more.

A two way table would not work for three sets.