# Homework Help: Symmetric difference problem (Real Analysis)

1. Aug 28, 2010

### phillyolly

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

What am I asked to do in the problem? Am I just asked to draw a diagram or to prove a) and b)?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

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2. Aug 28, 2010

### Raskolnikov

Draw a Venn diagram with sets A and B. Shade in the area "that belongs to either A or B, but not both."

Then, I'd say just make sure you first know exactly what (a) means, i.e., what is A\B and B\A. You should easily be able to see that the definition of D in (a) is the same as the more intuitive definition "either A or B, but not both."

Finally, you should write a quick formal proof that shows the definition in (a) is the same as that in (b).
i.e, prove that (A \ B) U (B \ A) = (A U B) \ (A $$\cap$$ B).

Since you're new to all of this, don't skip steps. Take care of the details!

3. Aug 28, 2010

### phillyolly

Thank you.....

Based on your suggestions...I tried...Where is my mistake?

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4. Aug 28, 2010

### Raskolnikov

hehe, first of all, you have A/B instead of A\B.
Secondly, your second line is utterly meaningless. The union operation "U" is only defined on sets, not on boolean statements such as "x is element of A\B."
Thirdly, $$x \in A \backslash x \in B$$ is also utterly meaningless. The relative complement operation "\" is defined only on sets.

Since you are new to all this, break this down to the very basics.
$$x \in (A \backslash B) \cup (B \backslash A).$$
$$x \in (A \backslash B) \vee x \in (B \backslash A).$$
$$(x \in A \wedge x \notin B) \vee (x \in B \wedge x \notin A).$$

Try completing from there. Step-by-step! I know a lot of it seems like just grunt work, but it's a very important fundamental approach :P!

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