.
In order to understand the formula of inclusion-exclusion principle,
it is very useful to keep in mind this simple reasoning.
When we calculate the sum
P(A) + P(B) + P(C) for P(A U B U C), (1)
it seems very natural and does not arouse suspicion - so, it looks as a good first approximation.
But thinking longer, you understand that every part P(A n B), P(A n C) and P(B n C)
you count twice in this sum P(A) + P(B) + P(C).
Therefore, next step is to subract P(A n B) + P(A n C) + P(B n C) from the sum P(A) + P(B) + P(C).
So, you get then P(A) + P(B) + P(C) - P(A n B) - P(A n C) - P(B n C). (2)
It is good as the next, second approximation.
But thinking further, you understand that in expression P(A) + P(B) + P(C) - P(A n B) - P(A n C) - P(B n C)
the part P(A n B n C) is added three times in the first three addends and subtracted three times
in the next three terms. So, now this part P(A n B n C) simply ABSENTS in the second approximation (2).
THEREFORE, you MUST add P(A n B n C) to (2), and after doing it, you get
final formula of the Inclusion-Exclusion principle
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| P(A U B U C) = P(A) + P(B) + P(C) - P(AB) - P(AC) - P(BC) + P(ABC). |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
You may consider it as a formal or informal proof of the formula.
As soon as you got this reasoning and placed it in your mind,
you do understand the Inclusion-Exclusion principle in whole.