Question 1158213: Among 18 students in a room, 7 study mathematics, 10 study science, and 10 study computer
programming. Also, 3 study mathematics and science, 4 study mathematics and computer
programming, and 5 study science and computer programming. We know that 1 student studies all three
subjects. How many of these students study none of the three subjects?
Answer by ikleyn(52780) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! .
Among 18 students in a room, 7 study mathematics, 10 study science, and 10 study computer
programming. Also, 3 study mathematics and science, 4 study mathematics and computer
programming, and 5 study science and computer programming. We know that 1 student studies all three
subjects. How many of these students study none of the three subjects?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let M be the set of those who study (at least) Math ( n(M) = 7 )
Let S be the set of those who study (at least) Science ( n(S) = 10 )
Let C be the set of those who study (at least) Computer ( n(C) = 10 )
Let MS, MC and SC be the corresponding intersetion sets (those who study at least two subjects)
Let MSC be the intersection set (M & S & C).
There is a REMARCABLE formula in elementary set theory
n(M U S U C) = n(M) + n(S) + n(C) - n(MS) - n(MC) - n(SC) + n(MSC).
It allows calculating the number of elements in the UNION of separate sub-sets.
In our case, this formula gives the value
n(M U S U C) = 7 + 10 + 10 - 3 - 4 - 5 + 1 = 16.
Thus 16 students study at least one of listed subjects.
Hence, the rest 18-16 = 2 in the room study none of the three subjects. ANSWER
Solved.
--------------
To learn more about this formula, see the lessons
- Counting elements in sub-sets of a given finite set
- Advanced problems on counting elements in sub-sets of a given finite set
- Challenging problems on counting elements in subsets of a given finite set
in this site.
You will find there a variety of other similar solved problems.
|
|
|