Topology Munkres Chapter 1 exercise 2 e- Set theory

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on exercise 2e from "Topology" 2nd edition by J. Munkres, specifically evaluating the statement $A-(A-B)=B$ for sets A and B. The analysis reveals that while the equality does not hold, the subset relation $A-(A-B) \subset B$ is valid. The proof demonstrates that any element in $A-(A-B)$ must also belong to B, confirming the subset relationship through logical deduction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of set theory concepts, including set difference and subset relations.
  • Familiarity with logical implications and proofs in mathematics.
  • Basic knowledge of the notation used in set theory, such as $A-B$, $\subset$, and $\cap$.
  • Experience with mathematical reasoning and proof techniques.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of set operations, particularly set difference and intersection.
  • Learn about logical implications and how to construct proofs in set theory.
  • Explore additional exercises from "Topology" by J. Munkres to reinforce understanding of the material.
  • Investigate the implications of subset relations in various mathematical contexts.
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Students of topology, mathematicians, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of set theory and logical proofs.

cbarker1
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Dear Everyone
I am having some difficulties on exercise 2e from Topology 2nd ed by J. Munkres . Here are the directions:
determine which of the following states are true for all sets [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]A, [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]B, [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]C, and [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]D. If a double implication fails, determine whether one or the other one of the possible implication holds. If an equality fails, determine whether the statement becomes true if the "equal" symbol is replaced by one or the other of the inclusion symbols [FONT=MathJax_Main]⊂or [FONT=MathJax_Main]⊃.e.) $A-(A-B)=B$

My work:
Let A={1,2,3,4,5,7} and B={1,3,5,9}
A-B={2,4,7}
A-(A-B)=A-{2,4,7}={1,3,5,9}= B?

Thanks
Cbarker1
 
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Cbarker1 said:
Dear Everyone
I am having some difficulties on exercise 2e from Topology 2nd ed by J. Munkres . Here are the directions:
determine which of the following states are true for all sets [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]A, [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]B, [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]C, and [FONT=MathJax_Math-italic]D. If a double implication fails, determine whether one or the other one of the possible implication holds. If an equality fails, determine whether the statement becomes true if the "equal" symbol is replaced by one or the other of the inclusion symbols [FONT=MathJax_Main]⊂or [FONT=MathJax_Main]⊃.e.) $A-(A-B)=B$

My work:
Let A={1,2,3,4,5,7} and B={1,3,5,9}
A-B={2,4,7}
A-(A-B)=A-{2,4,7}={1,3,5,9}= B?

Thanks
Cbarker1
If A={1,2,3,4,5,7} and B={1,3,5,9} then
A-B={2,4,7}
A-(A-B)=A-{2,4,7}={1,2,3,4,5,7}-{2,4,7}={1,3,5}.

Notice that A-(A-B) is contained in B, but it is not the whole of B because it does not include 9.

That shows that the statement $A-(A-B)=B$ is not true. However, it is true that $A-(A-B)\subset B$. Can you prove that?
 
Opalg said:
If A={1,2,3,4,5,7} and B={1,3,5,9} then
A-B={2,4,7}
A-(A-B)=A-{2,4,7}={1,2,3,4,5,7}-{2,4,7}={1,3,5}.

Notice that A-(A-B) is contained in B, but it is not the whole of B because it does not include 9.

That shows that the statement $A-(A-B)=B$ is not true. However, it is true that $A-(A-B)\subset B$. Can you prove that?

Proof: Suppose x is an arbitrary element in $A-(A-B)$. Then $x\in A$ and $x \notin(A-B)$. So $x\in A$ and $x\notin A$ and $x\in B$. Thus $x\in B$ because an element $x$ can't be both in A and not in A. QED
 
Cbarker1 said:
Proof: Suppose x is an arbitrary element in $A-(A-B)$. Then $x\in A$ and $x \notin(A-B)$. So $x\in A$ and $x\notin A$ and $x\in B$.
The fact that $x\in A-B$ means that $x\in A$ and $x\notin B$. The negation of that, i.e., $x\notin A-B$, means that $x\notin A$ or $x\in B$. Thus, writing $\land$ for "and" and $\lor$ for "or", $x\in A-(A-B)$ means
$$
\begin{align}
x\in A\land (x\notin A\lor x\in B)&\iff (x\in A\land x\notin A)\lor (x\in A\land x\in B)\\
&\iff x\in A\land x\in B\\
&\implies x\in B
\end{align}
$$
In particular, we deduced that $A-(A-B)=A\cap B$.
 

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