Question:medium

Let A and B be sets. If \(A ∩ X = B ∩ X = \phi\) and \(A ∪ X = B ∪ X\) for some set X, show that A = B.  (Hints \(A = A ∩ (A ∪ X), B = B ∩ (B ∪ X)\) and use distributive law)

Updated On: Jan 21, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

We are given two sets \( A \) and \( B \) such that

\[ A \cap X = \varnothing,\quad B \cap X = \varnothing \] and \[ A \cup X = B \cup X, \] for some set \( X \).

We have to show that \[ A = B. \]


Using the given hint, we write

\[ A = A \cap (A \cup X). \]

Now apply the distributive law:

\[ A \cap (A \cup X) = (A \cap A) \cup (A \cap X). \]

Since \( A \cap A = A \) and \( A \cap X = \varnothing \), we get

\[ A = A \cup \varnothing = A. \]

Hence,

\[ A = (A \cap A) \cup (A \cap X). \]


Similarly, for set \( B \),

\[ B = B \cap (B \cup X). \]

Using distributive law,

\[ B \cap (B \cup X) = (B \cap B) \cup (B \cap X). \]

Since \( B \cap B = B \) and \( B \cap X = \varnothing \),

\[ B = B \cup \varnothing = B. \]


Given that \[ A \cup X = B \cup X, \] taking intersection with \( A \) on both sides, we get

\[ A \cap (A \cup X) = A \cap (B \cup X). \]

Using distributive law on the right side,

\[ A \cap (B \cup X) = (A \cap B) \cup (A \cap X). \]

Since \( A \cap X = \varnothing \),

\[ A = A \cap B. \]

Similarly, intersecting \( B \) with both sides of \( A \cup X = B \cup X \), we get

\[ B = A \cap B. \]


Therefore,

\[ A = A \cap B = B. \]

Hence, it is proved that

\[ \boxed{A = B}. \]

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