How to Solve a Venn Diagram
Venn diagrams are a way to organize data and compare two or more items. The overlapping sections of Venn diagrams identify which characteristics are shared by the overlapping groups. According to the Graphic Organizer, Venn diagrams can be used for a diverse range of topics like comparing animals and cells, contrasting climates in various cities, or making comparisons between different forms of government.
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Instructions
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1
Identify how many shapes you need in the diagram. For example, if you are studying 3 cities, use 3 shapes. If you want to compare 2 different animals, use 2 shapes.
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2
Draw the shapes on a piece of paper. Each shape must intersect (overlap) with each other shape.
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3
Label each shape on the outside with the name of the group and the total number of items in that group.
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4
Pick an overlapping section and read the problem carefully to determine how many items are in both of the groups. An example might be "out of 59 students taking classes, five are taking both English and math." Put five in the overlapping region.
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Figure out what number needs to go in the remaining shapes and overlapping areas. Each section should have a number (even if that number is zero).
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Add up the total number of items in your Venn diagram to make sure the total equals the amount asked for in the question.
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Tips & Warnings
Before drawing your diagram, use paper plates to visualize what the diagram will look like. That way it's easier to see where the shapes will overlap beforehand. If using more than three shapes, start entering your data in the center and work your way out.
