Question

Show that the following four conditions are equivalent:

(i) A ⊂ B (ii) A – B = Φ

(iii) A ∪ B = B (iv) A ∩ B = A

Answer 1

First, we have to show that (i) ⇔ (ii).

Let A ⊂ B

To show: A – B ≠ Φ

If possible, suppose A – B ≠ Φ

This means that there exists x ∈ A, x ≠ B, which is not possible as A ⊂ B.

∴ A – B = Φ

∴ A ⊂ B ⇒ A – B = Φ

Let A – B = Φ

To show: A ⊂ B

Let x ∈ A

Clearly, x ∈ B because if x ∉ B, then A – B ≠ Φ

∴ A – B = Φ ⇒ A ⊂ B

∴ (i) ⇔ (ii)

Let A ⊂ B

To show:

Clearly,

Let

Case I: x ∈ A

∴

Case II: x ∈ B

Then,

Conversely, let

Let x ∈ A

∴ A ⊂ B

Hence, (i) ⇔ (iii)

Now, we have to show that (i) ⇔ (iv).

Let A ⊂ B

Clearly

Let x ∈ A

We have to show that

As A ⊂ B, x ∈ B

∴

∴

Hence, A = A ∩ B

Conversely, suppose A ∩ B = A

Let x ∈ A

⇒

⇒ x ∈ A and x ∈ B

⇒ x ∈ B

∴ A ⊂ B

Hence, (i) ⇔ (iv).