A union B Formula - A U B, Venn Diagram, Examples (2024)

The union of two sets A and B is a set that contains all the elements of A and B and is denoted by A U B (which can be read as "A or B" (or) "A union B"). A union B formula is used to find the union of two sets A and B. The union can be found by just putting all the elements of A and B in one set and removing duplicates. i.e., A U B can be found without using the A union B formula also.

Let us learn about the A union B formula with a few examples in the end.

What Is the A Union B Formula?

The union of two sets is represented by writing the symbol "U" in between the two sets. The formula for A union B means that any element that is present either in A or in B is present in A ∪ B. By using the above definition, the A union B formula is,

A ∪ B = {x : x ∈ A (or) x ∈ B}

This is the Venn diagram representing "A union B" where it represents the entire portion shaded in "Orange" color.

Example: If A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {3, 4, 5} then calculate A ∪ B.

Solution:

To calculate A ∪ B, just write all the elements of A and B in a set and remove duplicates. Then we get:

A ∪ B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Number of Elements in A union B Formula

Suppose we have two sets A and B. Now, A U B consists of elements of both sets A and B, taken one at a time (leaving duplicates). We have the following representations:

• n(A U B) = Number of elements in A U B
• n(A) = Number of elements in A
• n(B) = Number of elements in B
• n(A ∩ B) = Number of elements that are common to both A and B

n(A) + n(B) gives the total number of elements that are in A and the elements in B including the elements that are common. This implies that the number of common elements is counted twice. Hence, to balance that and make sure that all the elements are counted just once, we subtract n(A ∩ B) from n(A) + n(B) and hence the formula for the number of elements in A U B is:

n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) - n(A ∩ B)

Complement of A Union B Formula

The complement of a set is the difference of the universal set and the given set. In the same way, the complement of A U B (which is denoted by (A U B)') is "universal set - (A U B)". It is shown by the Venn diagram below:

Here, the complement of A union B is the portion shown by Blue colour. This can be easily calculated using one of De Morgan's laws as:

(A U B)' = A' ∩ B'

What is A union B Probability Formula?

Using the same logic as above and to avoid counting the same elements twice, we have the formula for P(A U B) (the probability formula of A union B) as:

P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A ∩ B)

If A and B are mutually exclusive events, then we have P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) as P(A ∩ B) = 0.

Union with 3 Sets

Here are multiple combinations of union and intersection involved with 3 given sets A, B, and C.

A Union B Union C: The formula related to A U B U C is and is given by n(A U B U C) = n(A) + n(B) + n(C) - n(A ∩ B) - n(B ∩ C) - n(A ∩ C) + n(A ∩ B ∩ C). It is shown by the following Venn diagram in Orange colour.

A Intersection B Union C: This can mathematically be written as:A n ( B U C) and here is the Venn diagram representing it.

Important Notes on A union B Formula:

• A U B = {x : x ∈ A (or) x ∈ B}
• n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) - n(A ∩ B)
• P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A ∩ B)
• A U B = B U A

☛ Related Topics:

• Intersection of Sets
• A∩B Formula

FAQs on A Union B Formula

What is A union B Formula in Math?

By using the definition of A U B, the A union B formula is, A U B = {x : x ∈ A (or) x ∈ B} which implies A U B consists of elements that are either in A or in B or in both.

How Do You Calculate AUB?

A U B can be calculated by taking the elements of A and the elements of B and considering the elements that are common in both A and B only once and combining them in one set.

Is the Union of Sets Commutative?

Yes, the sets are commutative with respect to the operation "union". For any two sets A and B, we always can prove that A ∪ B = B ∪ A.

What is the Union of A and B?

The union of two sets A and B is a set that contains all the elements of A and B taken one at a time and is denoted by A U B.

What is A union B Whole Complement Formula?

The formula for A union B whole complement formula is given by, (AUB)^c = A^c ∩ B^c. It is also one of the De-Morgan's Laws of Union of Sets.

Can the A Union B Formula be Used for More than Two Sets?

Yes, the A union B formula can be extended to find the union of more than two sets. For example, the formula for the union of three sets A, B, and C would be A ∪ B ∪ C = (A ∪ B) ∪ C.

What is the Formula for the Cardinality of A union B?

The cardinality (number of elements) of A union B can be calculated by counting the elements in A and B and taking the elements that are common only once. The formula for the cardinality of A union B is n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) - n(A ∩ B).