Set Theory Made Easy

There is a lot of hype in this forum about Venn diagrams. John Venn (18341923) who was a British logician
was really a great guy, but I think it's best to solve set problems by using the following formula:
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Neither Both
This is a formula for two sets (groups) if you need to work with three sets (groups) then use:
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Set3 + Neither - Both - (All three X 2)
In a consumer survey, 85% of those surveyed like at least one of three products: 1, 2, and 3.
50% of those asked liked product 1, 30% liked product 2, and 20% like product 3. If 5 % of the
people in the survey like all 3 of products, what % of the survey participants likes more than one
of the three products?
(A) 5
(B) 10
(C) 15
(D) 20
(E) 25
Set 1 (product 1) This is given in the question stem = 50%
Set 2 (product 2) This is given in the question stem = 30%
Set 3 (product 3) This is given in the question stem = 20%
Neither Since 85% like at least one and there are 100% then this = 15%
Both This is the unknown we are looking for = X
All three This is given in the question stem = 5%
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Set3 + Neither - Both - (All three X 2)
100% = 50% + 30% + 20% + 15% X 5%*2
X = 5%
X will give us the value for both, but the question asks for Both + Neither = 5% + 5% = 10%
The answer is (B)
This was an easy problem; now look at this more complex one:
A position in the UN has 125 applicants. Of these applicants, 70 speak French, 65 Spanish, 65
German, 45 speak French and Spanish, 35 speak Spanish and German, 40 speak French and
German, and 35 speak all three languages. How many applicants speak none of the languages?
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Set3 + Neither - Both - (All three X 2)
Total = 125
Set 1 (applicants speaking French) This is given in the question stem = 70
Set 2 (applicants speaking Spanish) This is given in the question stem = 65
Set 3 (applicants speaking German) This is given in the question stem = 65
Neither This is the unknown we are looking for = X
Both This is a tricky part, since 45, 40 and 35 that are given in the stem already includes the All three (i.e.
35) then Both is ((45-35) + (40-35) + (35-35)) = 15
All three This is given in the question stem = 35

125 = 70 + 65 + 65 + X 15 (35*2)
X = 10
There are 230 students. 80 play football, 42 play soccer and 12 play rugby. 32 play exactly 2
sports and 4 play all three. How many students play none?
(A) 94
(B) 115
(C) 132
(D) 136
(E) 140
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Set3 + Neither - Both - (All three X 2)
230 = 80 + 42+ 12 + X 32 4*2
X = 136
The answer is (D)
Among 200 people, 56% like Orange Juice, 44% like Grape Juice, and 40% like Milk. If 30% of
the people like OJ and Grape Juice, what is the greatest possible number of people who like Milk
but do not like either OJ or Grape Juice?
(A) 20
(B) 60
(C) 80
(D) 86
(E) 92
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Set3 + Neither - Both - (All three X 2)
200 = 112 + 88 + 80 + 0 (60+X)
X = 20
This is the additional number of people who like both.
80 20 = 60
People who drink only milk minus the people who drink milk and something else.
The answer is (B)
How many of the 42 people in a group are employed students?
(1) 29 of the 42 people are employed.
(2) 24 of the 42 people are students.
Total = Set1 + Set2 + Neither Both
42 = 29 + 24 + Neither Both
As you can see this problem cannot be solved since you have two unknowns.
The answer is (E)

KillerSquirrel November 2007