Real World Venn Diagrams

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Venn Diagrams are diagrams containing circles that show the logical relations between a collection of sets or groups.

They are used in many areas of life where we need to categorize or group items, as well as compare and contrast different items.

In this post we will take a look at several real world uses of Venn Diagrams and Set Theory.

eBay and Set Theory

eBay Query for Landcruiser
Image Source: Passy’s World of Mathematics

When we use eBay or any other shopping search engines, set theory is involved.

If systems like eBay stored all of their items in one giant database set, then it would take much longer than a couple of seconds to get a response to our search query.

What these computer systems do is split up their data into several separate sets, such as all of the Products for Australia, all the cars for Australia, all of the Toyota Cars for Australia, and so on.

When we do the search query shown above, the eBay computer searches its database and finds the intersection or “join” of two sets:

Toyota Cars which are Landcruiser models

and

Toyota Cars which have a price Between $20000 and $40000

This enables the search results to be obtained and displayed very quicky.

eBay Query Results
Image Source: Passy’s World of Mathematics

This type of processing involves use of Database Tables and “SQL” Structured Query Language, that uses AND, OR, and NOT statements to do set theory operations on the data.

Understanding Venn Diagrams and Set Theory is crucial for anyone wanting to work as a Computer Programmer or Database Administrator.



Practical Examples of Venn Diagrams

In the remainder of this lesson, there are plenty of real world Venn Diagrams that we found by Googling the web.

As you will see, Venn Diagrams are used in the Sciences, in Languages, in Social Studies, in Economics, and also sometimes just for fun.

If a diagram is too small to see, then click on it to go full size. You may then have to use the browser back button to return to this page.

As our first example, the following Venn Diagram compares the features on different models of PlayStation 3 gaming consoles.

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The following is a Venn Diagram used by Medical Researchers showing the overlapping genes associated with different brain diseases.

Genes Disease Venn Diagram
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Venn diagrams are Used in Biology to compare different Animals.

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Another Biological Venn Diagram is this one.

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Here is a Venn Diagram that classifies Fish into different biological groupings.

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This next Venn Diagram compares Tigers and Bison.

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Microsoft Excel even has an extension pack which Biologists use.
The following shows a comparison of Humans, Gorillas and Bonobos done in Excel.

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All sorts of things can be analysed with Venn Digarams:

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Here is another interesting analysis done using Venn Diagrams.

GraphJam Literacy Diagram
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Venn Diagrams are used in Language to make detailed analysis and comparisons.

The following Venn Diagram shows types of English words that are different in spelling and meanings.

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Diagrams can also be used when studying literature to compare the content of novels.

Comparing Novels Venn
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Venn Diagrams can also be used to compare characters in a novel.

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They can also be used to critique the works of all the Authors a person has been reading.

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Venn Diagrams can be used to show the relationships in complex organizations such as the European Economic Union.

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Diagrams can also be used in Geography to explain how nation groups and states belong to each other. (Click on this image to make it fully visible).

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Here is a diagram which shows the relationship between Solids and Liquids.

Compare Solids and Liquids
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Venn diagrams can be used to list all the issues associated with environmental and economic concerns.

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Venn Diagrams are used in Psychology.

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Venn Diagrams can be used to show the changing nature of work in our world.

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Diagrams can also be used by Human Resource Managers and Careers Advisors to show the characteristics of different jobs.

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Venn Diagrams can be used for analysing the effectiveness of websites.

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Venn Diagrams are used in Psychology and Wellbeing.
The following diagram represents “The Four Areas Of A Thriving Life”

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Venn Diagrams are used by Scientists studying human health and medicines.
The following diagram is all about “Amino Acids” which are essential to human life.

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Venn Diagrams are used in Politics to describe types of government systems.

Governments Venn Diagram
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This one shows a Comparison Between Responsibilities of American State and Federal Governments.

US Fed vs State Gov Venn Diagram
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Venn Diagrams are used by Geologists and Mining Engineers for mineral exploration.

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Venn Diagrams can be used to analyse Religions.
(Click on this image to make it fully visible).

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Venn Diagrams are used a lot in modern Marketing Analysis.

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Venn Diagrams are used in Mathematics to divide all possible number types into groups.

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They are also used in Mathematics to see what groups of numbers have things in common.

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Venn Diagrams can even be used to analyse music.

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We can analyse the characters in TV shows like “The Muppets” with a Venn Diagram.

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Some people even use Venn Diagrams to make jokes about Venn Diagrams.

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And some people just make funny Venn Diagrams for humorous purposes.

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The following Venn diagram was made by someone who has obviously used a lot of Public Toilets.

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The following diagram summarizes my own experiences of Airline seating perfectly.

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Related Items

Introduction to Venn Diagrams
Venn Diagram Word Problems
Three Circle Venn Diagrams

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Passy

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