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# Prove for sets M, N, M-N ⊆ M? ⊆ is the symbol for subset. This is for a discrete...

nikhilnair93 | Student, Undergraduate | (Level 1) eNoter

Posted April 4, 2012 at 4:11 AM via web

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Prove for sets M, N, M-N ⊆ M?

⊆ is the symbol for subset.

This is for a discrete math class. I'm trying to prepare for a test about proofs, so any help would be appreciated!

Matthew Fonda | eNotes Employee

Posted April 4, 2012 at 5:21 AM (Answer #1)

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For this problem, a direct proof is the way to go. Start by defining set difference and subsets, then use these definitions to reach the conclusion.

Set difference: A-B = {x \in A | x \notin B}

Subset: A is a subset of B if every element of A is also an element of B.

Proof:

Let M, N be sets.

Let x \in M-N . By definition of set difference, it follows that x \in M . This shows every element in M-N is also in N, and therefore M-N is a subset of M.

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