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Union

Definition

The union of two sets \(A\) and \(B\), written \(A \cup B\), is the set of all elements that are in \(A\) or in \(B\) (or in both).

\[A \cup B = \{x : x \in A \lor x \in B\}\]

Properties

Commutativity

\[A \cup B = B \cup A\]

Associativity

\[(A \cup B) \cup C = A \cup (B \cup C)\]

Identity

\[A \cup \emptyset = A\]

Idempotence

\[A \cup A = A\]

Examples

Example 1

\[\{1, 2\} \cup \{2, 3\} = \{1, 2, 3\}\]

Example 2

\[\{a, b\} \cup \{c, d\} = \{a, b, c, d\}\]