What’s a Venn Diagram?

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A Venn diagram is a graphical representation of the relationship between data sets, often used in set theory and classroom exercises. It was invented by English mathematician John Venn in 1881 and can include two or more sets represented by overlapping circles or shapes. Venn diagrams are useful for classifying and organizing information and can be used for troubleshooting.

A Venn diagram is a graphical illustration of the relationship between various data sets. Most famously, it includes two sets, represented by two overlapping circles, although these diagrams can also be made with three circles or a series of complex shapes to represent more than three sets of data. Venn diagrams are used extensively in a branch of mathematics known as set theory and often appear in classroom exercises designed to get students thinking about the relationships between things.

The Venn diagram was developed by John Venn, an English mathematician who lived between 1834-1923. His famous diagram was invented in 1881, and is actually commemorated in the form of a stained glass window in his former college. By graphically showing how data sets relate to each other, Venn greatly clarified the field of set theory. Later mathematicians have changed the shape of the diagram, but the basic system remains the same and widely used around the world.

A classic Venn diagram includes two sets, such as a list of all doctors in a city and all residents of a particular neighborhood. Each set is represented by a circle, and where the circles overlap, a region is created that includes members of both sets. In this case, the region would include all residents of a particular neighborhood who are also doctors. You can add a third set to your diagram, such as a list of all the people in town who have dogs.

When three circles are included in a Venn diagram, several areas of overlap are formed. In the case of the example above, we could see which doctors have dogs, which doctors live in a particular neighborhood, and which residents of that particular neighborhood have dogs. In the center of the diagram, where all three circles overlap, we would have a list of dog-owning physicians in the neighborhood.

Venn diagram is very useful for classifying things and arranging information in a way that makes it easier to understand. Many people like to use it for troubleshooting, as many of the world’s problems can be untangled with its assistance. When multiple sets of data are involved in a Venn diagram, a series of convoluted shapes must be created to create the desired areas of overlap, which can lead to some truly stunning data illustrations.




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