iikarthik wrote:outreach wrote:The following equation can always be used for triple-overlapping set :
True # of objects = (total # in group 1) + (total # in group 2) + (total # in group 3) - (# in exactly 2 groups) - 2(# in all 3 groups)
or
True # of objects = (total in exactly 1 group) + (total in exactly 2 groups) + (total in exactly 3 groups)
mathewmithun wrote:I am bad in set, so can anyone explain how to approach such questions...thanks in advance...
Hi Outreach,
Thanks for your post.
Can n u pls explain the scenarioes when these two formulae need to be use??
Ur assistance would be much appreciated
Thanks
karthikd
For set problems such as these I encourage you to draw a Venn diagram so that you can see the situation visually. The Venn diagram can be adapted to almost any overlapping set question.
The big idea with overlapping sets is:
Subtract the overlap.
50 students study math
40 students study chemistry
10 students study both
The overlap is 10.
50-10 = 40 students who study ONLY math.
40-10 = 30 students who study ONLY chemistry.
50+40-10 = 80 total students (40 study only math, 30 study only chemistry, 10 study both).
With triple overlap questions, the easiest approach:
Subtract once the overlap of those in 2 groups (because they have been double-counted)
Subtract twice the overlap of those in all 3 groups (because they have been triple-counted)
Here's the formula:
Total = G(1) + G(2) + G(3) - (the number in exactly 2 groups) - 2*(the number in all 3 groups)
50 students study math
40 students study chemistry
20 students study art
10 students study 2 subjects
4 students study all 3 subjects
Total = 50+40+20-10-2*4 = 92 total students.
Hope this helps!
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