document.write( "Question 1121053: In a group of students, 70 have a personal computers, 120 have a personal stereo and 41 have both. How many own at least one of these devices? Draw an appropriate Venn diagram. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #736814 by ikleyn(52781)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! . \n" ); document.write( " \r\n" ); document.write( "Actually, the standard way to solve such problem is in one line as it is shown below:\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( " The number of those who own at least one of these devices = 70 + 120 - 41 = 149.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "Intuitively, it is clear to you why I added 70 and 120, and only one aspect requires explanation: why I subtracted \"41\" ?\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "It is because when I added 70 and 120, I counted the common part twice.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "After subtracting it, everything is in its right place.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Actually, you need Venn diagram only if you solve such problem at the first time.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "After that, the short solution presented above is totally enough.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "----------------\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "See the lesson\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " - Counting elements in sub-sets of a given finite set\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "in this site.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "----------------\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hello, Edwin !\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks for your question.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Regarding my preferences and answering your question, I prefer to use\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \r\n" ); document.write( " |A U B| = |A| + |B| - |AnB| for two sets A and B and\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( "\r\n" ); document.write( " |A U B U C| = |A| + |B| + |C| - |AnB| - |AnC| - |BnC| + |AnBnC| for 3 sets A, B and C.\r\n" ); document.write( "\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "It is how I teach the students to solve the corresponding problems in my lessons\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " - Counting elements in sub-sets of a given finite set\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " - Advanced problems on counting elements in sub-sets of a given finite set\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "in this site.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Also, it is how I solved numerous problems of this kind at this forum\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Probability-and-statistics/Probability-and-statistics.faq.question.1116804.html\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Probability-and-statistics/Probability-and-statistics.faq.question.1118494.html\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Everybody has his or her own taste and style in explaining such problems.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I came from the culture (Math education culture) where the notion \"Venn diagram\" was totally unknown and was never used;\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "NEVERTHELESS, the students (at least, advanced students) were able to solve such problems leaning on their logical skills,\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "and I really prefer the students understand logic FIRST behind such problems.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Then they will be able to solve the problems for four, five and so on sets and subsets (where Venn diagrams become useless).\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "It does not mean that I negate using Venn diagrams on the everyday basis.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "See THIS solved problem as another example.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "What I try to explain to students is the logic behind Venn diagram and the shortest and straightforward way to solve the problem.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thanks again for your question and the opportunity for me to highlight my point.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "===================\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "P.S. I also love and prefer compact formulas that speak by themselves and tell the entire and whole Math stories, as those listed above.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |