If set A subset of B, and B of C, it does not necessarilly f

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationships between sets, specifically addressing the implications of subset and element membership. Participants explore examples and seek clarification on whether the transitive property of subsets holds in certain contexts, particularly through mathematical and conceptual examples.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that if set A is a subset of B and B is a subset of C, it does not necessarily imply that A is a subset of C, citing examples involving nations and individuals.
  • Others express confusion over the claim, questioning whether the transitive property of subsets applies in this case.
  • Participants request additional examples, particularly involving types of numbers, to clarify the concept.
  • One participant provides an example involving the set of prime numbers and the set of all subsets of integers, illustrating the distinction between elements and subsets.
  • There is a discussion about the difference between being an element of a set and being a subset, with some participants acknowledging their misunderstanding of the symbols used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the implications of subset relationships, with some asserting that the transitive property does not hold while others believe it does. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of subsets versus elements, leading to confusion in their discussions. The examples provided vary in clarity and relevance to the main question.

Logical Dog
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Continiung from the title, it does not necessarilly follow that A will be a subset of C. I knew this for a long time, but I am unable to understand why. Elias zakons notes gave an example'

here is the example:

This may be illustrated by the following examples.
Let a “nation” be defined as a certain set of individuals, and let the United
Nations (U.N.) be regarded as a certain set of nations. Then single persons are
elements of the nations, and the nations are members of U.N., but individuals
are not members of U.N. Similarly, the Big Ten consists of ten universities,
each university contains thousands of students, but no student is one of the
Big Ten. Families of sets will usually be denoted by script letters: M, N , P,
etc

could anyone give other examples, more mathematical object oriented?
 
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I don't understand this. You mean to say that ##A \subseteq B## and ##B \subseteq C## does not imply ##A \subseteq C##? I am confused.
 
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Krylov said:
I don't understand this. You mean to say that ##A \subseteq B## and ##B \subseteq C## does not imply ##A \subseteq C##? I am confused.

yes. Have any more examples in terms of types of numbers?
 
You mean that if ##A\in B## and ##B\in C## that not necessarily ##A\in C##?
 
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Yes^^^ apologies for not being clear
 
Bipolar Demon said:
yes. Have any more examples in terms of types of numbers?

No, since what krylov said is true. You seem to think it's not true for some weird reason.
 
micromass said:
No, since what krylov said is true. You seem to think it's not true for some weird reason.

No no. sorry, I meant if
1. a is a subset of B
2. and B is a subset of C,
3. it does not necessarily mean that A is also a subset of C

Would you be having any examples, in terms of numbers or just in general?
 
Bipolar Demon said:
No no. sorry, I meant if
1. a is a subset of B
2. and B is a subset of C,
3. it does not necessarily mean that A is also a subset of C

Would you be having any examples, in terms of numbers or just in general?

If 1 and 2 are true that it does necessarily mean that A is a subset of C.
 
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micromass said:
If 1 and 2 are true that it does necessarily mean that A is a subset of C.
Ok. Sorry for the confusion, I think I will go sleep and read it again.
 
  • #10
You should revise the difference between subset and element.
 
  • #11
micromass said:
You should revise the difference between subset and element.

No i got it, mixed up the symbols. sorry,

So if A is in B, and B is in C, A will most likely not be an element of C. As C = {{A}}

But subsets are always nested.
 
  • #12
Here is a rather artificial example:
1. ##2## is an element of ##P##, the set of prime numbers.
2. The set ##P## of prime numbers is an element of ##\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{Z})##, the collection of all subsets of ##\mathbb{Z}##.
3. But ##2\in \mathcal{P}(\mathbb{Z})## would mean that ##2## is a subset of ##\mathbb{Z}##, which it is not.
 
  • #13
Bipolar Demon said:
No i got it, mixed up the symbols. sorry,

So if A is in B, and B is in C, A will most likely not be an element of C. As C = {{A}}

But subsets are always nested.
Right.

A can be in C, however. C={{A},A}, done.
 
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