Help with Set theory, compund statements

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The discussion focuses on understanding set theory and quantifiers in mathematical statements, particularly in the context of a Math for EE and CE class. Participants seek clarification on translating logical statements into English and the implications of changing the order of quantifiers. An example is provided to illustrate the difference between two statements involving real numbers, emphasizing that the first allows for multiple y values while the second asserts the existence of a single largest y. The importance of careful interpretation of quantifiers is highlighted, as it significantly affects the truth of the statements. Overall, the conversation aims to enhance comprehension of set theory concepts and their applications.
Marco Lugo
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The class is called Math for EE and CE. The professor teaches from his own notes and doesn't give many examples. Any help checking my work would be appreciated and/or if you could point me in the direction of more examples like these. I've looked trough Set Theory and discrete math books but nothing looks similar.

1) Write out the following statement in English
∀a∈A: ∃b∈B: ∀c∈C : ((a+b>1 ∧ b-c >2) ⇒a+b+c >2)

My answer:
For all a∈A, all c∈C, there exists one b∈B, such that if a+b > 1 and b-c>2 is true then a+b+c > 2 is also true.

2) Let A = [9] - [3] and B = {x∈A| x>4}
Define by listing the set C = A - B

My answer:

A = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] - [1,2,3]
A= [4,5,6,7,8,9]

B= [5,6,7,8,9]

C= A - B = [4,5,6,7,8,9] - [5,6,7,8,9]
C = [4]
 
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Be careful with your quantifiers. Changing the order of quantifiers does make a difference.

For example: For all x in R, there exists a y in R such that y>x. This is a true statement, however,
There exists a y in R such that for all x in R, y>x. This is clearly not a true statement.
 
Sorry I'm not seeing the difference. I could see how it would be wrong if it were, there exists a x in R such that for all y in R, y>x. But the statements above seem the same.
 
The first statement says: For every x, I can find a y that is larger.

The second statement says: That you can find a single y that is greater than EVERY x. That is equivalent to claiming there is a largest real number. Your last reply was a claim that there is a smallest number.Maybe this is more clear:
"For all" can also be read as "For every" or "For any"

In the first example, it is might be more appropriate to read the statement as:
For any x there is a y such that y>x.

In the second, we might read it as:
There is a y such that for every x, y>x.
 
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Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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