How Can I Correctly Prove the Demorgan Laws?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving De Morgan's Laws in set theory, specifically the first law A - (B ∪ C) = (A - B) ∩ (A - C) and the second law A - (B ∩ C) = (A - B) ∪ (A - C). The user initially misapplied the laws by incorrectly interpreting the negation of set membership. A correct understanding involves recognizing that x ∉ (B ∪ C) is equivalent to x ∉ B AND x ∉ C, as clarified by a forum member. The discussion emphasizes the importance of visualizing sets with Venn diagrams and applying logical rules accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory concepts, including unions and intersections.
  • Familiarity with De Morgan's Laws in both set theory and logic.
  • Basic knowledge of Venn diagrams for visualizing set relationships.
  • Ability to manipulate logical expressions and set notations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of De Morgan's Laws in set theory with examples.
  • Learn how to use Venn diagrams to visualize complex set operations.
  • Explore logical equivalences and their proofs in mathematical logic.
  • Investigate the concept of subsets and their role in set theory proofs.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of discrete mathematics, educators teaching set theory, and anyone interested in understanding logical proofs and set operations.

tomboi03
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1st Demorgan Law
A-(B[tex]\cup[/tex]C) = (A-B)[tex]\cap[/tex](A-C)

I tried this..
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex](B[tex]\cup[/tex]C)}
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]B OR x[tex]\notin[/tex]C}
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]B AND x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]C}
=(A-B)[tex]\cap[/tex](A-C)

2nd Demorgan Law
A-(B[tex]\cap[/tex]C) = (A-B)[tex]\cup[/tex](A-C)

={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex](B[tex]\cap[/tex]C)}
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]B AND x[tex]\notin[/tex]C}
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]B OR x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]C}
=(A-B)[tex]\cup[/tex](A-C)

Is this wrong? What am I doing wrong?
Please help me out!

Thank You!
 
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tomboi03 said:
1st Demorgan Law
A-(B[tex]\cup[/tex]C) = (A-B)[tex]\cap[/tex](A-C)

I tried this..
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex](B[tex]\cup[/tex]C)}
={x: x[tex]\in[/tex]A, x[tex]\notin[/tex]B OR x[tex]\notin[/tex]C}
There's your problem. x[tex]\notin[/tex](B[tex]\cup[/tex]C) if and only if x[tex]\notin[/tex]B AND x[tex]\notin[/tex]C. It helps to imagine the sets as venn diagrams. Alternatively, look at it as [tex]\neg[/tex] (x [tex]\in[/tex] (B[tex]\cup[/tex]C)) which becomes [tex]\neg[/tex](x [tex]\in[/tex]B OR x[tex]\in[/tex]C) and then the not distributes by de morgan's law for logic, producing x[tex]\notin[/tex]B AND x[tex]\notin[/tex]C. I assume you're allowed to use his logic rules to prove that they hold for sets. You make a similar mistake in the second one.
 
Yes i agree with mXSCNT he explained very well where you made a mistake .

Alternatively you can prove the above by using the concept of subsets:

X=Y iff( X is a subset of Y and Y is a subset of X) iff ( xεX <===>xεY)
 

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