Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram is used to visually represent the differences and the similarities
between two concepts. Venn diagrams are also called logic or set diagrams and are
widely used in set theory, logic, mathematics, businesses, teaching, computer
science, and statistics.
Let's learn about Venn diagrams, their definition, symbols, and types with solved
examples.

What is a Venn Diagram?

A Venn diagram is a diagram that helps us visualize the logical relationship
between sets and their elements and helps us solve examples based on these sets. A
Venn diagram typically uses intersecting and non-intersecting circles (although
other closed figures like squares may be used) to denote the relationship between
sets.

Venn Diagram Example
Let us observe a Venn diagram example. Here is the Venn diagram that shows the
correlation between the following set of numbers.
• One set contains even numbers from 1 to 25 and the other
set contains the numbers in the 5x table from 1 to 25.
• The intersecting part shows that 10 and 20 are both even
numbers and also multiples of 5 between 1 to 25.

Terms Related to Venn Diagram
Let us understand the following terms and concepts related to Venn Diagram, to
understand it better.
Universal Set
Whenever we use a set, it is easier to first consider a larger set called a
universal set that contains all of the elements in all of the sets that are being
considered. Whenever we draw a Venn diagram:
• A large rectangle is used to represent the universal set
and it is usually denoted by the symbol E or sometimes U.
• All the other sets are represented by circles or closed
figures within this larger rectangle.
• Every set is the subset of the universal set U.

Consider the above-given image:
• U is the universal set with all the numbers 1-10, enclosed
within the rectangle.
• A is the set of even numbers 1-10, which is the subset of
the universal set U and it is placed inside the rectangle.
• All the numbers between 1-10, that are not even, will be
placed outside the circle and within the rectangle as shown above.
Subset
Venn diagrams are used to show subsets. A subset is actually a set that is
contained within another set. Let us consider the examples of two sets A and B in
the below-given figure. Here, A is a subset of B. Circle A is contained entirely
within circle B. Also, all the elements of A are elements of set B.

This relationship is symbolically represented as A ⊆ B. It is read as A is a subset
of B or A subset B. Every set is a subset of itself. i.e. A ⊆ A. Here is another
example of subsets :
• N = set of natural numbers
• I = set of integers
• Here N ⊂ I, because all-natural numbers are integers.

Venn Diagram Symbols

There are more than 30 Venn diagram symbols. We will learn about the three most
commonly used symbols in this section. They are listed below as:
Venn Diagram Symbols Explanation

The union symbol - ∪ A ∪ B is read as A union B.

Elements that belong to either set A or set B or both the sets.
U is the universal set.
The intersection symbol - ∩ A ∩ B is read as A intersection B.
Elements that belong to both sets A and B.
U is the universal set.
Let us understand the concept and the usage of the three basic Venn diagram symbols
using the image given below.

Symbol It refers to Total Elements (No. of students)

A ∪ C
The number of students that prefer either burger or pizza or both. 1 + 10
+ 2 +
2 + 6 + 9 = 30
A ∩ C
The number of students that prefer both burger and pizza. 2 + 2 = 4
A ∩ B
∩ C The number of students that prefer a burger, pizza as well as hotdog.
2
Venn Diagram for Sets Operations
In set theory, we can perform certain operations on given sets. These operations
are as follows,
• Union of Set
• Intersection of set
• Complement of set
• Difference of set
Union of Sets Venn Diagram
The union of two sets A and B can be given by: A ∪ B = {x | x ∈ A or x ∈ B}. This
operation on the elements of set A and B can be represented using a Venn diagram
with two circles. The total region of both the circles combined denotes the union
of sets A and B.
Intersection of Set Venn Diagram
The intersection of sets, A and B is given by: A ∩ B = {x : x ∈ A and x ∈ B}. This
operation on set A and B can be represented using a Venn diagram with two
intersecting circles. The region common to both the circles denotes the
intersection of set A and Set B.
Complement of Set Venn Diagram
The complement of any set A can be given as A'. This represents elements that are
not present in set A and can be represented using a Venn diagram with a circle. The
region covered in the universal set, excluding the region covered by set A, gives
the complement of A.
Difference of Set Venn Diagram
The difference of sets can be given as, A - B. It is also referred to as a
‘relative complement’. This operation on sets can be represented using a Venn
diagram with two circles. The region covered by set A, excluding the region that is
common to set B, gives the difference of sets A and B.
We can observe the above-explained operations on sets using the figures given
below,


Venn Diagram for Three Sets

Three sets Venn diagram is made up of three overlapping circles and these three
circles show how the elements of the three sets are related. When a Venn diagram is
made of three sets, it is also called a 3-circle Venn diagram. In a Venn diagram,
when all these three circles overlap, the overlapping parts contain elements that
are either common to any two circles or they are common to all the three circles.
Let us consider the below given example:

Here are some important observations from the above image:
• Elements in P and Q = elements in P and Q only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.
• Elements in Q and R = elements in Q and R only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.
• Elements in P and R = elements in P and R only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.

How to Draw a Venn Diagram?

Venn diagrams can be drawn with unlimited circles. Since more than three becomes
very complicated, we will usually consider only two or three circles in a Venn
diagram. Here are the 4 easy steps to draw a Venn diagram:
• Step 1: Categorize all the items into sets.
• Step 2: Draw a rectangle and label it as per the
correlation between the sets.
• Step 3: Draw the circles according to the number of
categories you have.
• Step 4: Place all the items in the relevant circles.
Example: Let us draw a Venn diagram to show categories of outdoor and indoor for
the following pets: Parrots, Hamsters, Cats, Rabbits, Fish, Goats, Tortoises,
Horses.
• Step 1: Categorize all the items into sets (Here, its
pets): Indoor pets: Cats, Hamsters, and, Parrots. Outdoor pets: Horses, Tortoises,
and Goats. Both categories (outdoor and indoor): Rabbits and Fish.
• Step 2: Draw a rectangle and label it as per the
correlation between the two sets. Here, let's label the rectangle as Pets.
• Step 3: Draw the circles according to the number of
categories you have. There are two categories in the sample question: outdoor pets
and indoor pets. So, let us draw two circles and make sure the circles overlap.

• Step 4: Place all the pets in the relevant circles. If
there are certain pets that fit both the categories, then place them at the
intersection of sets, where the circles overlap. Rabbits and fish can be kept as
indoor and outdoor pets, and hence they are placed at the intersection of both
circles.

• Step 5: If there is a pet that doesn't fit either the
indoor or outdoor sets, then place it within the rectangle but outside the circles.

Venn Diagram Formula

For any two given sets A and B, the Venn diagram formula is used to find one of the
following: the number of elements of A, B, A U B, or A ⋂ B when the other 3 are
given. The formula says:
• n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) – n (A ⋂ B)
Here, n(A) and n(B) represent the number of elements in A and B respectively. n(A U
B) and n(A ⋂ B) represent the number of elements in A U B and A ⋂ B respectively.
This formula is further extended to 3 sets as well and it says:
• n (A U B U C) = n(A) + n(B) + n(C) - n(A ⋂ B) - n(B ⋂ C) -
n(C ⋂ A) + n(A ⋂ B ⋂ C)
Here is an example of Venn diagram formula.
Example: In a cricket school, 12 players like bowling, 15 like batting, and 5 like
both. Then how many players like either bowling or batting.
Solution:
Let A and B be the sets of players who like bowling and batting respectively. Then
n(A) = 12
n(B) = 15
n(A ⋂ B) = 5
We have to find n(A U B). Using the Venn diagram formula,
n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) – n (A ⋂ B)
n(A U B) = 12 + 15 - 5 = 22.
Applications of Venn Diagram
There are several advantages to using Venn diagrams. Venn diagram is used to
illustrate concepts and groups in many fields, including statistics, linguistics,
logic, education, computer science, and business.
• We can visually organize information to see the
relationship between sets of items, such as commonalities and differences, and to
depict the relations for visual communication.
• We can compare two or more subjects and clearly see what
they have in common versus what makes them different. This might be done for
selecting an important product or service to buy.
• Mathematicians also use Venn diagrams in math to solve
complex equations.
• We can use Venn diagrams to compare data sets and to find
correlations.
• Venn diagrams can be used to reason through the logic
behind statements or equations.
☛Related Articles:
Check out the following pages related to Venn diagrams:
• Operations on Sets
• Roster Notation
• Set Builder Notation
• Statistics
• Probability
Important Notes on Venn Diagrams:
Here is a list of a few points that should be remembered while studying Venn
diagrams:
• Every set is a subset of itself i.e., A ⊆ A.
• A universal set accommodates all the sets under
consideration.
• If A ⊆ B and B ⊆ A, then A = B
• The complement of a complement is the given set itself
Venn Diagram
A Venn diagram is used to visually represent the differences and the similarities
between two concepts. Venn diagrams are also called logic or set diagrams and are
widely used in set theory, logic, mathematics, businesses, teaching, computer
science, and statistics.
Let's learn about Venn diagrams, their definition, symbols, and types with solved
examples.

What is a Venn Diagram?

A Venn diagram is a diagram that helps us visualize the logical relationship
between sets and their elements and helps us solve examples based on these sets. A
Venn diagram typically uses intersecting and non-intersecting circles (although
other closed figures like squares may be used) to denote the relationship between
sets.

Venn Diagram Example
Let us observe a Venn diagram example. Here is the Venn diagram that shows the
correlation between the following set of numbers.
• One set contains even numbers from 1 to 25 and the other
set contains the numbers in the 5x table from 1 to 25.
• The intersecting part shows that 10 and 20 are both even
numbers and also multiples of 5 between 1 to 25.

Terms Related to Venn Diagram
Let us understand the following terms and concepts related to Venn Diagram, to
understand it better.
Universal Set
Whenever we use a set, it is easier to first consider a larger set called a
universal set that contains all of the elements in all of the sets that are being
considered. Whenever we draw a Venn diagram:
• A large rectangle is used to represent the universal set
and it is usually denoted by the symbol E or sometimes U.
• All the other sets are represented by circles or closed
figures within this larger rectangle.
• Every set is the subset of the universal set U.

Consider the above-given image:
• U is the universal set with all the numbers 1-10, enclosed
within the rectangle.
• A is the set of even numbers 1-10, which is the subset of
the universal set U and it is placed inside the rectangle.
• All the numbers between 1-10, that are not even, will be
placed outside the circle and within the rectangle as shown above.
Subset
Venn diagrams are used to show subsets. A subset is actually a set that is
contained within another set. Let us consider the examples of two sets A and B in
the below-given figure. Here, A is a subset of B. Circle A is contained entirely
within circle B. Also, all the elements of A are elements of set B.

This relationship is symbolically represented as A ⊆ B. It is read as A is a subset
of B or A subset B. Every set is a subset of itself. i.e. A ⊆ A. Here is another
example of subsets :
• N = set of natural numbers
• I = set of integers
• Here N ⊂ I, because all-natural numbers are integers.

Venn Diagram Symbols

There are more than 30 Venn diagram symbols. We will learn about the three most
commonly used symbols in this section. They are listed below as:
Venn Diagram Symbols Explanation

The union symbol - ∪ A ∪ B is read as A union B.

Elements that belong to either set A or set B or both the sets.
U is the universal set.
The intersection symbol - ∩ A ∩ B is read as A intersection B.
Elements that belong to both sets A and B.
U is the universal set.
Let us understand the concept and the usage of the three basic Venn diagram symbols
using the image given below.

Symbol It refers to Total Elements (No. of students)

A ∪ C
The number of students that prefer either burger or pizza or both. 1 + 10
+ 2 +
2 + 6 + 9 = 30
A ∩ C
The number of students that prefer both burger and pizza. 2 + 2 = 4
A ∩ B
∩ C The number of students that prefer a burger, pizza as well as hotdog.
2
Venn Diagram for Sets Operations
In set theory, we can perform certain operations on given sets. These operations
are as follows,
• Union of Set
• Intersection of set
• Complement of set
• Difference of set
Union of Sets Venn Diagram
The union of two sets A and B can be given by: A ∪ B = {x | x ∈ A or x ∈ B}. This
operation on the elements of set A and B can be represented using a Venn diagram
with two circles. The total region of both the circles combined denotes the union
of sets A and B.
Intersection of Set Venn Diagram
The intersection of sets, A and B is given by: A ∩ B = {x : x ∈ A and x ∈ B}. This
operation on set A and B can be represented using a Venn diagram with two
intersecting circles. The region common to both the circles denotes the
intersection of set A and Set B.
Complement of Set Venn Diagram
The complement of any set A can be given as A'. This represents elements that are
not present in set A and can be represented using a Venn diagram with a circle. The
region covered in the universal set, excluding the region covered by set A, gives
the complement of A.
Difference of Set Venn Diagram
The difference of sets can be given as, A - B. It is also referred to as a
‘relative complement’. This operation on sets can be represented using a Venn
diagram with two circles. The region covered by set A, excluding the region that is
common to set B, gives the difference of sets A and B.
We can observe the above-explained operations on sets using the figures given
below,


Venn Diagram for Three Sets

Three sets Venn diagram is made up of three overlapping circles and these three
circles show how the elements of the three sets are related. When a Venn diagram is
made of three sets, it is also called a 3-circle Venn diagram. In a Venn diagram,
when all these three circles overlap, the overlapping parts contain elements that
are either common to any two circles or they are common to all the three circles.
Let us consider the below given example:

Here are some important observations from the above image:
• Elements in P and Q = elements in P and Q only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.
• Elements in Q and R = elements in Q and R only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.
• Elements in P and R = elements in P and R only plus
elements in P, Q, and R.

How to Draw a Venn Diagram?

Venn diagrams can be drawn with unlimited circles. Since more than three becomes
very complicated, we will usually consider only two or three circles in a Venn
diagram. Here are the 4 easy steps to draw a Venn diagram:
• Step 1: Categorize all the items into sets.
• Step 2: Draw a rectangle and label it as per the
correlation between the sets.
• Step 3: Draw the circles according to the number of
categories you have.
• Step 4: Place all the items in the relevant circles.
Example: Let us draw a Venn diagram to show categories of outdoor and indoor for
the following pets: Parrots, Hamsters, Cats, Rabbits, Fish, Goats, Tortoises,
Horses.
• Step 1: Categorize all the items into sets (Here, its
pets): Indoor pets: Cats, Hamsters, and, Parrots. Outdoor pets: Horses, Tortoises,
and Goats. Both categories (outdoor and indoor): Rabbits and Fish.
• Step 2: Draw a rectangle and label it as per the
correlation between the two sets. Here, let's label the rectangle as Pets.
• Step 3: Draw the circles according to the number of
categories you have. There are two categories in the sample question: outdoor pets
and indoor pets. So, let us draw two circles and make sure the circles overlap.

 • Step 4: Place all the pets in the relevant circles. If
there are certain pets that fit both the categories, then place them at the
intersection of sets, where the circles overlap. Rabbits and fish can be kept as
indoor and outdoor pets, and hence they are placed at the intersection of both
circles.

• Step 5: If there is a pet that doesn't fit either the
indoor or outdoor sets, then place it within the rectangle but outside the circles.

Venn Diagram Formula

For any two given sets A and B, the Venn diagram formula is used to find one of the
following: the number of elements of A, B, A U B, or A ⋂ B when the other 3 are
given. The formula says:
• n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) – n (A ⋂ B)
Here, n(A) and n(B) represent the number of elements in A and B respectively. n(A U
B) and n(A ⋂ B) represent the number of elements in A U B and A ⋂ B respectively.
This formula is further extended to 3 sets as well and it says:
• n (A U B U C) = n(A) + n(B) + n(C) - n(A ⋂ B) - n(B ⋂ C) -
n(C ⋂ A) + n(A ⋂ B ⋂ C)
Here is an example of Venn diagram formula.
Example: In a cricket school, 12 players like bowling, 15 like batting, and 5 like
both. Then how many players like either bowling or batting.
Solution:
Let A and B be the sets of players who like bowling and batting respectively. Then
n(A) = 12
n(B) = 15
n(A ⋂ B) = 5
We have to find n(A U B). Using the Venn diagram formula,
n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) – n (A ⋂ B)
n(A U B) = 12 + 15 - 5 = 22.

Applications of Venn Diagram

There are several advantages to using Venn diagrams. Venn diagram is used to
illustrate concepts and groups in many fields, including statistics, linguistics,
logic, education, computer science, and business.
• We can visually organize information to see the
relationship between sets of items, such as commonalities and differences, and to
depict the relations for visual communication.
• We can compare two or more subjects and clearly see what
they have in common versus what makes them different. This might be done for
selecting an important product or service to buy.
• Mathematicians also use Venn diagrams in math to solve
complex equations.
• We can use Venn diagrams to compare data sets and to find
correlations.
• Venn diagrams can be used to reason through the logic
behind statements or equations.
☛Related Articles:
Check out the following pages related to Venn diagrams:
• Operations on Sets
• Roster Notation
• Set Builder Notation
• Statistics
• Probability
Important Notes on Venn Diagrams:
Here is a list of a few points that should be remembered while studying Venn
diagrams:
• Every set is a subset of itself i.e., A ⊆ A.
• A universal set accommodates all the sets under
consideration.
• If A ⊆ B and B ⊆ A, then A = B
• The complement of a complement is the given set itself