Question 1
How many numbers from 1 to 12 are divisible by 2 or 3?
Step-by-Step Solution:
Concept: Inclusion-Exclusion Principle - when counting elements in the union of sets, add individual counts and subtract overcounted intersections.
Formula: |A ∪ B| = |A| + |B| - |A ∩ B|
Given:
- Range: 1 to 12
- Divisors: 2 and 3
Step 1 - Count numbers divisible by 2:
Numbers divisible by 2 = ⌊12/2⌋ = 6
These are: 2, 4, 6, ..., 12
Step 2 - Count numbers divisible by 3:
Numbers divisible by 3 = ⌊12/3⌋ = 4
These are: 3, 6, 9, ..., 12
Step 3 - Count numbers divisible by BOTH 2 AND 3:
Numbers divisible by LCM(2,3) = 6
Count = ⌊12/6⌋ = 2
(These are counted twice in steps 1 and 2)
Step 4 - Apply Inclusion-Exclusion:
Total = (divisible by 2) + (divisible by 3) - (divisible by both)
= 6 + 4 - 2
= 8
Visualization (Venn Diagram concept):
- Circle A: divisible by 2 (6 numbers)
- Circle B: divisible by 3 (4 numbers)
- Intersection: divisible by both (2 numbers)
- Union: 8 numbers
Key Principle: Subtract the intersection to avoid double counting.
Extension to Three Sets:
|A ∪ B ∪ C| = |A| + |B| + |C| - |A ∩ B| - |B ∩ C| - |A ∩ C| + |A ∩ B ∩ C|
Common Application: Finding numbers NOT divisible by either = 12 - 8 = 4
Concept: Inclusion-Exclusion Principle - when counting elements in the union of sets, add individual counts and subtract overcounted intersections.
Formula: |A ∪ B| = |A| + |B| - |A ∩ B|
Given:
- Range: 1 to 12
- Divisors: 2 and 3
Step 1 - Count numbers divisible by 2:
Numbers divisible by 2 = ⌊12/2⌋ = 6
These are: 2, 4, 6, ..., 12
Step 2 - Count numbers divisible by 3:
Numbers divisible by 3 = ⌊12/3⌋ = 4
These are: 3, 6, 9, ..., 12
Step 3 - Count numbers divisible by BOTH 2 AND 3:
Numbers divisible by LCM(2,3) = 6
Count = ⌊12/6⌋ = 2
(These are counted twice in steps 1 and 2)
Step 4 - Apply Inclusion-Exclusion:
Total = (divisible by 2) + (divisible by 3) - (divisible by both)
= 6 + 4 - 2
= 8
Visualization (Venn Diagram concept):
- Circle A: divisible by 2 (6 numbers)
- Circle B: divisible by 3 (4 numbers)
- Intersection: divisible by both (2 numbers)
- Union: 8 numbers
Key Principle: Subtract the intersection to avoid double counting.
Extension to Three Sets:
|A ∪ B ∪ C| = |A| + |B| + |C| - |A ∩ B| - |B ∩ C| - |A ∩ C| + |A ∩ B ∩ C|
Common Application: Finding numbers NOT divisible by either = 12 - 8 = 4