[Math] Proving Set using the laws of set theory

elementary-set-theory

Let $A$ and $B$ be any sets. Prove the following set identity using the laws of set theory (set identities). So I am trying Justify each step with the law I used.

$A\cap(B\cup A')\cap B'=\emptyset$

And so my first thought would be using distributive law such as:

Distributive Law:

$A \cap (B \cup A^\prime) \cap B^\prime = ((A \cap B) \cup (A \cap A^\prime)) \cap B^\prime$

Best Answer

Hint:

$$(A\cap A')=\emptyset$$

All the steps below (to check your answer or if you give up ...)

\begin{align}A \cap (B \cup A^\prime) \cap B^\prime &= ((A \cap B) \cup (A \cap A^\prime)) \cap B^ \prime &\text{(distribution)} \\ &= ((A\cap B)\cup\emptyset)\cap B' &\text{(inversion)} \\ &= (A\cap B)\cap B' & \text{(identity)} \\ &=A\cap(B\cap B') & \text{(associativity)}\\ &=A\cap\emptyset &\text{(inversion)}\\ &=\emptyset &\text{(domination)} \\ \end{align}

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