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Mathematics vocabulary · Sets and Logic

Intersection

Meaning in mathematics, with examples

/ˌɪntərˈsekʃən/nounCommon term

In mathematics, intersection means: The set of elements that belong to all of the given sets at the same time; the intersection of {1, 2, 3} and {2, 3, 4} is {2, 3}.

In Turkish: kesişim, arakesit

How it is used

Written A ∩ B and read 'A intersect B' or 'the intersection of A and B'. It matches the word 'and' in logic. In geometry, the 'point of intersection' is where two lines or curves meet.

Example sentences

  1. If the intersection of A and B is empty, the sets are disjoint.

  2. Find the point of intersection of the two lines.

Common collocations

  • intersection of A and B
  • point of intersection
  • A intersect B
  • empty intersection
  • unionThe set of all elements that are in at least one of two or more sets; the union of {1, 2} and {2, 3} is {1, 2, 3}.
  • setA well-defined collection of distinct objects, called elements, usually written inside curly brackets, such as {2, 4, 6}.
  • subsetA set whose elements all belong to another set; {1, 2} is a subset of {1, 2, 3}, written {1, 2} ⊆ {1, 2, 3}.
  • elementOne of the objects that belong to a set; 3 is an element of {1, 3, 5}, written 3 ∈ {1, 3, 5}.

More terms: Sets and Logic

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