Two-event Venn diagrams and overlap
Read disjoint regions of a two-set diagram and distinguish either event from both events.
Section Paper 2 · Extended · Non-calculator
Core and Extended. Core uses two-event Venn diagrams without requiring set notation; Extended may use union and intersection symbols. This is the separate 9–1 qualification 0980. Cambridge intends Core for grades 4–1 and Extended for grades 9–5; the eligible award bands are grades 5–1 for the Core papers and grades 9–3 for the Extended papers.
Before you begin
- Read two-set Venn regions.
- Calculate a probability from counts.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What does 'both events' mean in a Venn diagram?
What you will learn
- Count an overlap only once in an either-event probability.
- Use the universal total including neither-event outcomes.
Regions must not overlap in the count
In a group of forty, twelve study French only, eight Spanish only, six both and fourteen neither. The number studying French is eighteen, not twelve. The number studying at least one language is 12 + 6 + 8 = 26; the overlap is included once.
Adding total French eighteen to total Spanish fourteen double-counts the six students in both sets. Subtract the overlap once to obtain twenty-six. Extended notation uses A ∩ B for both and A ∪ B for either or both; 'or' is normally inclusive in these probability questions.
Choose the event and the denominator separately
Probability of both languages is 6/40 = 3/20. Probability of neither is 14/40 = 7/20. The denominator is the entire randomly sampled group, including students outside both circles. The diagram's enclosing rectangle represents that whole group.
If the question restricts selection to French learners, the denominator changes to eighteen; that is a conditional probability and is Extended. Do not silently use a restricted denominator for an ordinary random choice from the whole group.
Pause and explain
A group of 40 has 12 A-only, 8 B-only, 6 both and 14 neither. Find P(A or B).
Worked example
Forty learners: French only 12, Spanish only 8, both 6, neither 14. Find P(at least one language).
Show the worked solution
- The favourable disjoint regions contain 12 + 6 + 8 = 26 learners.
- The whole group contains forty.
- Probability is 26/40 = 13/20, with the overlap counted once.
Answer 13/20.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Using the group of forty above, find P(both languages).
Give me a hint
Use the overlap and the universal total.
Compare my reasoning
- The overlap contains six.
- The total group is forty.
- Probability is 6/40 = 3/20.
3/20.
Look for these in your work
- Selected the overlap.
- Kept the whole-group denominator.
Using the same group, find P(French) and P(not French).
Give me a hint
French includes French-only and both.
Compare my reasoning
- French count is 12 + 6 = 18, giving 9/20.
- Not French count is 8 + 14 = 22, giving 11/20.
- The two probabilities add to one.
9/20 and 11/20.
Look for these in your work
- Included the overlap in French.
- Checked complementary probabilities.
In 50 learners, 20 study art, 18 music and 7 both. Find the number and probability studying neither.
Give me a hint
First count the union with the overlap subtracted once.
Compare my reasoning
- At least one count is 20 + 18 − 7 = 31.
- Neither count is 50 − 31 = 19.
- Probability is 19/50.
19 learners; probability 19/50.
Look for these in your work
- Removed the double-counted overlap.
- Used the universal complement.
Common mistakes
- Double-counting the overlap.
- Leaving neither out of the denominator.
- Confusing inclusive or with exactly one.
What can you explain now?
Does ordinary 'A or B' exclude the overlap?
Compare with the explanation
No; it normally includes either or both.
Exclude the overlap only when the wording explicitly says exactly one event.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Tomorrow, label all four disjoint Venn regions before computing a probability.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.