INTERSECTION

Definition

The intersection of two or more sets is the set containing all elements that are common to all the given sets. In probability, it represents events that occur simultaneously.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The symbol for intersection is ∩.
2. If A and B are two sets, their intersection is denoted as A ∩ B.
3. In probability, P(A ∩ B) signifies the probability of both events A and B occurring together.
4. $A \cap B$ can be represented visually using Venn diagrams where only the overlapping region of circles representing A and B is shaded.
5. If two sets have no elements in common, their intersection is the empty set (denoted by ∅).

Review Questions

• What does A ∩ B represent in a Venn diagram?
• How would you express the probability of both events A and B happening?
• What is the result of intersecting two mutually exclusive sets?

Related terms

Union:

The union of two or more sets contains all elements from the involved sets.

Mutually Exclusive:

Two events that cannot happen at the same time; their intersection is an empty set.

Complement:

$A'$ represents all elements not in set A.