[Math] Let A be a family of pairwise disjoint sets. Prove that if B⊆A, then B is a family or pairwise disjoint sets.

elementary-set-theory

I know that for this problem I have to use contradiction. Could anyone check my work and guide me through the problem if it's wrong? So far, this is what I have.Thanks!!

Contradiction: $\mathcal B\subseteq \mathcal A$, then $\mathcal B$ is not a family of pairwise disjoint sets.

If $\mathcal B$ is not pairwise disjoint then $\mathcal A \neq \mathcal B$ or $\mathcal A \cap \mathcal B\neq \varnothing $

then,
x $\in \mathcal A$ and x$\notin \mathcal B$

However, x $\in \mathcal B\subseteq \mathcal A$ , which is a contradiction since we said that x$\notin \mathcal B$.

Best Answer

There is no need to use contradiction. Suppose that $B_0,B_1$ in $\mathscr{B}$ with $B_0\ne B_1$. Then $B_0$ and $B_1$ are distinct members of $\mathscr{A}$, so $B_0\cap B_1=\varnothing$ (since $\mathscr{A}$ is a pairwise disjoint family). Thus, every pair of distinct members of $\mathscr{B}$ are disjoint, and by definition $\mathscr{B}$ is a pairwise disjoint family.

The argument that you’ve given does not make sense. $\mathscr{B}$ is a family of sets, and in order to show that this family is pairwise disjoint, you must show that if $B_0,B_1\in\mathscr{B}$, then either $B_0=B_1$, or $B_0\cap B_1=\varnothing$. There is no point to looking at $\mathscr{A}\cap\mathscr{B}$: we know that $\mathscr{A}\cap\mathscr{B}=\mathscr{B}$ simply because $\mathscr{B}\subseteq\mathscr{A}$. This fact has in itself no bearing on whether $\mathscr{B}$ is pairwise disjoint.