Induction of Complementary Sets

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on using mathematical induction to prove the identity \((A_1 \bigcup A_2 \bigcup A_3 \bigcup \cdots \bigcup A_n)^c = A^c_1 \bigcap A^c_2 \bigcap A^c_3 \bigcap \cdots \bigcap A^c_n\). The base case involves demonstrating the validity for two sets, after which the proof extends to n+1 sets by treating the union as a single set combined with the union of the remaining sets. This approach confirms that the complement of the union of k sets implies the same for k + 1 sets.

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  • Knowledge of set complements and their properties.
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rbzima
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I'm just wondering how induction can be used to show the following:

[tex](A_1 \bigcup A_2 \bigcup A_3 \bigcup \cdots \bigcup A_n)^c = A^c_1 \bigcap A^c_2 \bigcap A^c_3 \bigcap \cdots \bigcap A^c_n[/tex]
 
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What's the base case? Did you try to establish whether a case follows if the previous is true (if the complement of the union of k sets is equivalent to the intersection of their respective complements, does this imply the same for k + 1 sets?).
 
Once you show it for two sets, it is easy. n+1 sets can be considered as 1 set union with n sets. Complement this gives then the complement of 1 set intersected with the complement of the union of n sets.
 

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