Representation Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Represent the set A={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10}A = \{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10\} with B={2,4,6,8,10}B = \{2,4,6,8,10\} and C={1,3,5}C = \{1,3,5\} using three different representations: (1) roster notation, (2) set-builder notation, (3) a Venn diagram description.

Solution

  1. 1
    Roster: A={1,2,,10}A=\{1,2,\ldots,10\}, B={2,4,6,8,10}B=\{2,4,6,8,10\}, C={1,3,5}C=\{1,3,5\}.
  2. 2
    Set-builder: B={xA:x is even}B=\{x \in A : x \text{ is even}\}, C={xA:x is odd and x5}C=\{x \in A : x \text{ is odd and } x \le 5\}.
  3. 3
    Venn diagram: Draw a rectangle for AA. Inside, draw circle BB (even numbers) and circle CC (odd 5\le 5). They do not overlap. Elements 7,9 are in AA but outside both circles.

Answer

B={xA:2x},C={xA:x odd,  x5}B = \{x \in A : 2 \mid x\},\quad C = \{x \in A : x \text{ odd},\; x \le 5\}
The same mathematical object can be described in multiple ways. Switching representations often reveals different aspects of the structure and is a key problem-solving skill.

About Representation

A mathematical representation is any format — diagram, equation, table, graph, or symbolic expression — used to encode and communicate a mathematical idea or relationship between quantities.

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