Venn diagram

In mathematics, a Venn diagram (also known as a set diagram or logic diagram) is a diagram that shows all possible logical relations between a finite collection of different sets.

Description

Typically overlapping shapes, usually circles, are used, and an area-proportional or scaled Venn diagram is one in which the area of of the shape is proportional to the number of elements it contains. These diagrams represent elements as points in the plane, and sets as regions inside curves.

An element is in a set S just in case the corresponding point is in the region for S. They are thus a special case of Euler diagrams, which do not necessarily show all relations.

Venn diagrams were conceived around 1880 by John Venn. They are used to teach elementary set theory, as well as illustrate simple set relationships in probability, logic, statistics, linguistics, and computer science.

See also

• Mathematics
• Logical connectives
• Set (mathematics)
• Set theory
• Spherical octahedron - A stereographic projection of a regular octahedron makes a 3-set Venn diagram, as 3 orthogonal great circles, each dividing space into two halves.

External links

• Venn diagram @ Wikipedia
• [ Eleven-level Venn diagram]