Q.Consider the sets A and B of Example 12. Find A ∩ B
Concept understanding — Set Operations
The idea in plain words
Think of your two favourite groups of friends — the ones who play cricket and the ones who play football. Some friends are in both groups, some in only one, and some in neither. Set operations are simply the mathematical ways to answer questions like: "Who's in at least one team?" or "Who's only in the cricket team?".
The whole secret? Each operation is just a different way of combining or comparing two collections — like sorting your friends into different buckets.
Why this works
Sets are just labelled buckets that hold distinct items. The universal set U is the "whole world" of things we're talking about — say, all your friends. Then each operation picks out a specific bucket:
| Operation | What it asks | Bucket contains |
|---|---|---|
| Union (A∪B) | In either? | Everything from A or B (or both) |
| Intersection (A∩B) | In both? | Only the overlap |
| Difference (A∖B) | In A but not B? | Just the part of A that doesn't touch B |
| Complement (Ac) | Not in A? | Everything outside A (inside U) |
| Symmetric Difference (A△B) | In exactly one? | The two crescent-shaped parts, excluding the overlap |
Step by step
Let's take two concrete sets so you can see each operation in action:
A={1,2,3},B={3,4,5}
Step 1: Union — gather everything from both, but don't repeat anything.
A∪B={1,2,3,4,5}
Step 2: Intersection — only what's common to both.
A∩B={3}
Step 3: Difference (A minus B) — start with A, remove anything that's also in B.
A∖B={1,2}
Step 4: Complement — needs a universal set. Let U={1,2,3,4,5}. Then:
Ac={4,5}
Step 5: Symmetric Difference — combine the two differences:
A△B=(A∖B)∪(B∖A)={1,2}∪{4,5}={1,2,4,5}
A common slip
Students often confuse difference (A∖B) with complement (Ac). Remember: difference is relative to another set, complement is relative to the whole universe. If U={1,2,3,4,5} and B={3,4,5}, then A∖B depends on what A is, but Bc is always {1,2}.
Another trap: symmetric difference is not the same as union. Union includes the overlap; symmetric difference kicks it out.
Takeaway
Every set operation is just a precise way to answer "which elements go where?" — learn the picture first, then the notation writes itself.
Set Operations — covering union, intersection, difference, and complement — is a foundational topic in the CBSE Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Sets, and Venn-diagram-based formula questions on this exact idea are a recurring feature in NCERT exercises and school exams. Students searching for "set operations class 11 maths" or "union and intersection formula with examples" will find this same definition-formula-example structure useful for board exam preparation and quick revision.
The intersection A∩B consists of all elements common to both sets.
From Example 12, A={2,4,6,8} and B={6,8,10,12}.
Checking each element of A against B: 2∈/B, 4∈/B, 6∈B, 8∈B.
A∩B={6,8}.
Using Example 12's sets A={2,4,6,8} and B={6,8,10,12}, the elements common to both are 6 and 8, so A∩B={6,8}.
Recalling Example 12's sets
This question asks for A∩B using the same sets introduced in Example 12: A={2,4,6,8} and B={6,8,10,12}.
Finding the intersection
The intersection A∩B contains every element that appears in both A and B simultaneously — think of it as the overlap in a Venn diagram.
Check each element of A against B:
- 2: is 2∈B? B={6,8,10,12} — no. So 2∈/A∩B.
- 4: is 4∈B? No. So 4∈/A∩B.
- 6: is 6∈B? Yes. So 6∈A∩B.
- 8: is 8∈B? Yes. So 8∈A∩B.
Only 6 and 8 pass both tests.
A∩B={6,8}.
Method: Roster Form Intersection
This method works when sets are given in roster form (listing elements inside curly braces). The intersection of two sets contains only the elements that appear in both sets.
Steps
- Write both sets clearly in roster form.
- Identify common elements — scan each element of the first set and check if it is also present in the second set.
- List only the common elements inside curly braces {}.
- If no element is common, the intersection is the empty set, written as ∅ or {}.
Example (from typical Question 1 type)
Let:
- A={1,2,3,4}
- B={3,4,5,6}
Step 1: Sets are already in roster form.
Step 2: Common elements:
- 1 is not in B
- 2 is not in B
- 3 is in B ✓
- 4 is in B ✓
Step 3: Intersection = {3,4}
Final answer:
A∩B={3,4}
Key Exam Tip
Intersection (∩) means "and" — the element must belong to both sets.
Do not confuse with union (∪), which means "or" (elements from either set).
Here are the common mistakes students make with set intersection problems, specifically using the sets you provided, and how to avoid each.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the Definition of "Natural Number" (N)
The Error: Students often assume natural numbers start from 0 or include negative numbers. In the Indian curriculum (NCERT/CBSE), natural numbers are defined as {1,2,3,4,...}.
How it affects the answer: If you include 0, then A∩B might incorrectly include 0. If you include negatives, the intersection with primes (D) becomes confusing.
How to Avoid: Memorize the standard definition. For Class 11 NCERT, N={1,2,3,...}. Always write this set down before solving.
Mistake 2: Confusing "Even" and "Odd" with "Prime"
The Error: Students think that because a number is prime, it cannot be even (or odd). They forget that 2 is the only even prime number.
The Consequence: For question (v) B∩D, students often write ϕ (empty set) instead of {2}.
How to Avoid: List the first few elements of each set.
- B={2,4,6,8,10,...}
- D={2,3,5,7,11,...} Now, visually scan for common elements. The only common element is 2.
Mistake 3: Assuming "Odd" and "Prime" are Mutually Exclusive
The Error: Students think that since most primes are odd, the intersection C∩D must be all odd primes. They forget that 2 is prime but not odd.
The Consequence: For question (vi) C∩D, students write {3,5,7,11,...} (all odd primes) but forget to explicitly exclude 2. While the set of odd primes is correct, the reasoning is flawed if they don't mention that 2 is excluded.
How to Avoid: Always check the boundary case (the number 2).
- C={1,3,5,7,9,...}
- D={2,3,5,7,11,...} The intersection is {3,5,7,11,...} (all odd primes). This is correct, but be explicit: "All prime numbers except 2."
Mistake 4: Writing the Answer in Roster Form Incorrectly
The Error: For infinite sets like A∩B (which is just B), students try to list all elements or write an incomplete roster like {2,4,6}.
The Consequence: Marks are deducted for not showing the pattern or using the wrong notation.
How to Avoid: Use set-builder notation for infinite answers, or use roster form with an ellipsis (...).
- Correct: A∩B={2,4,6,8,...} or A∩B={x:x is an even natural number}.
- Incorrect: A∩B={2,4,6} (this implies the set stops at 6).
Mistake 5: Misinterpreting the Intersection Symbol (∩)
The Error: Students confuse ∩ (intersection) with ∪ (union). They combine the sets instead of finding common elements.
The Consequence: For B∩C, they might write {1,2,3,4,5,...} (all natural numbers) instead of ϕ (empty set).
How to Avoid: Use a Venn Diagram mentally. An even number and an odd number can never be the same number. Therefore, their intersection is empty.
- Correct: B∩C=ϕ (or {}).
Summary Table of Correct Answers
| Question | Common Mistake | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| (i) A∩B | Including 0 | {2,4,6,8,...} (or B) |
| (ii) A∩C | Including 0 | {1,3,5,7,...} (or C) |
| (iii) A∩D | Forgetting 1 is not prime | {2,3,5,7,11,...} (or D) |
| (iv) B∩C | Writing union instead | ϕ (empty set) |
| (v) B∩D | Writing ϕ | {2} |
| (vi) C∩D | Including 2 | {3,5,7,11,...} (odd primes) |
Final Tip: For any set problem, always write the first 5-6 elements of each set in roster form before finding the intersection. This eliminates 90% of the common errors.
Showing the 12 most recent of 52 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The shaded region in the given Venn-diagram represents:(a) A ∪ B(b) A ∩ B(c) (A ∪ B)'(d) (A ∩ B)'
›Reveal solutionSolution
The shaded region is everything in the universal set except A and B combined, which is exactly (A∪B)′.
The rectangle is the universal set U, and the two overlapping circles are sets A and B. The description tells us the shading covers the rectangle except the two circles — i.e. every point that lies outside both A and B.
A point lies in (A∪B)′ exactly when it is not in A∪B, i.e. not in A and not in B (by De Morgan's law, (A∪B)′=A′∩B′). That is precisely the description of the shaded region.
✓Final answerThe shaded region represents (A∪B)′ — option (d).
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.If U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, A = {2, 4, 6, 8} and B = {2, 3, 6, 7}, then (A ∪ B)' = ..............
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find A∪B first, then take its complement in U.
Given U={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}, A={2,4,6,8}, B={2,3,6,7}.
First find A∪B (all elements in A or B or both):
A∪B={2,3,4,6,7,8}
The complement is everything in U not in A∪B:
(A∪B)′=U−(A∪B)={1,5,9}
✓Final answer(A∪B)′={1,5,9}.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If X={1,3,5} and Y={1,2,3} then X∩Y=?(a) {1,2,3,4,5}(b) {1,2,3,5}(c) {1,3}(d) ϕ
›Reveal solutionSolution
X∩Y consists of elements present in both X and Y, which gives {1,3}.
Given X={1,3,5} and Y={1,2,3}. The intersection X∩Y contains only those elements that belong to BOTH sets.
Check each element of X: is 1∈Y? Yes. Is 3∈Y? Yes. Is 5∈Y? No.
So X∩Y={1,3}.
✓Final answerX∩Y={1,3}, which is option (c).
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Write True/False: Sets {2,6,10} and {3,7,11} are disjoint sets.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Sets are disjoint when their intersection is empty; comparing the elements of {2,6,10} and {3,7,11} shows no overlap.
Set A={2,6,10} and set B={3,7,11}.
Comparing every element of A against B: 2∈/B, 6∈/B, 10∈/B. None of A's elements are in B, so A∩B=∅.
By definition, sets with empty intersection are disjoint sets.
✓Final answerTrue.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A={1,2,3},B={2,3,7}⇒A∪B=(a) {1,2,3}(b) {1,3,7}(c) {1,2,3,7}(d) {1,2,7}
›Reveal solutionSolution
A∪B={1,2,3,7}: the union lists every element that is in A or in B (or both), each written once.
For sets A and B, the union is A∪B={x:x∈A or x∈B} — combine both sets and remove duplicate entries.
Here A={1,2,3}, B={2,3,7}. Writing all elements of A then adding any elements of B not already listed: 1,2,3 (from A), then 7 (from B, since 2 and 3 are already present).
So A∪B={1,2,3,7}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) {1,2,3,7}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.X={3,5,7},Y={2,3,5}⇒X∩Y=(a) {3,2}(b) {3,7}(c) {5,7}(d) {3,5}
›Reveal solutionSolution
X∩Y={3,5}: the intersection keeps only elements that belong to both sets.
For sets X and Y, X∩Y={x:x∈X and x∈Y}.
Here X={3,5,7} and Y={2,3,5}. Checking each element of X against Y: 3∈Y (yes), 5∈Y (yes), 7∈Y (no). So X∩Y={3,5}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) {3,5}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.X={1,2},Y={2,3,5},Z={4,6}⇒X∪Y∪Z=(a) {1,2,3,5,6}(b) {2,3,4,5,6}(c) {1,2,3,4,5,6}(d) {1,2}
›Reveal solutionSolution
X∪Y∪Z={1,2,3,4,5,6}: list every element appearing in at least one of the three sets, once each.
Given X={1,2}, Y={2,3,5}, Z={4,6}.
First take X∪Y={1,2,3,5} (2 is common, written once). Then union with Z: {1,2,3,5}∪{4,6}={1,2,3,4,5,6}, since Z shares no elements with the earlier union.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) {1,2,3,4,5,6}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.X={1,2,3,6},Y={4,5,6},Z={4,2,3,6}⇒(X∪Y)∩Z=(a) {2,3,4,6}(b) {1,5}(c) {1,2,5}(d) {1,2,3,5}
›Reveal solutionSolution
(X∪Y)∩Z={2,3,4,6}, found by first taking the union, then intersecting with Z.
Given X={1,2,3,6}, Y={4,5,6}, Z={4,2,3,6}.
Step 1: X∪Y={1,2,3,4,5,6} (combine both, 6 counted once).
Step 2: (X∪Y)∩Z keeps only elements also in Z={2,3,4,6}. Checking each element of X∪Y against Z: 1∈/Z, 2∈Z, 3∈Z, 4∈Z, 5∈/Z, 6∈Z. So the result is {2,3,4,6}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) {2,3,4,6}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.X={a,b,c,d},Y={c,a,r},Z={r,o,b}⇒(X∩Y)∪Z=(a) {a,b,c,o,r}(b) {c,a,r,b}(c) {r,o,b,c}(d) ϕ
›Reveal solutionSolution
(X∩Y)∪Z={a,b,c,o,r}, found by first taking the intersection, then the union with Z.
Given X={a,b,c,d}, Y={c,a,r}, Z={r,o,b}.
Step 1: X∩Y keeps elements common to both: a∈Y, c∈Y, so X∩Y={a,c} (b and d are not in Y; r is not in X).
Step 2: (X∩Y)∪Z={a,c}∪{r,o,b}={a,b,c,o,r}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) {a,b,c,o,r}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A={x:x−2=0},B={x:2x=6}⇒A∪B=(a) {2,6}(b) {−2,6}(c) {2,3}(d) {2,−3}
›Reveal solutionSolution
A∪B={2,3}.
A={x:x−2=0}={2}. B={x:2x=6}={3}.
A∪B={2}∪{3}={2,3}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) {2,3}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A={x:x2+5x+6=0},B={x:x2+8x+15=0}⇒(a) A⊂B(b) B⊂A(c) A=B(d) A∩B={−3}
›Reveal solutionSolution
A={−2,−3}, B={−3,−5}, and their only common element is −3, so A∩B={−3}.
A={x:x2+5x+6=0}: factorising, (x+2)(x+3)=0⇒x=−2,−3, so A={−2,−3}.
B={x:x2+8x+15=0}: factorising, (x+3)(x+5)=0⇒x=−3,−5, so B={−3,−5}.
Neither A⊂B nor B⊂A nor A=B holds (each has an element the other lacks), but both contain −3, so A∩B={−3}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) A∩B={−3}.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Given U={1,2,…,15}, A={1,2,3,5,15}, B={2,4,6,8,10,12,14}, C={2,3,5,7,11,13}. A′=(a) {4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14}(b) {4,6,8,10,12,14}(c) {8,10,12,14}(d) ϕ
›Reveal solutionSolution
A′=U−A={4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14}.
Given U={1,2,…,15} and A={1,2,3,5,15}. The complement A′=U−A consists of every element of U not in A.
Removing 1,2,3,5,15 from U leaves {4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14}.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) {4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14}.
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