I have a theorem and corresponding proof whose correctness I need to verify. The theorem is:
For any sets $A$, $B$, $C$, and $D$: $A$ x $B \subseteq C$ x $D$ $\implies$ $A \subseteq C$ $\land$ $B \subseteq D$
The proof is:
Suppose $A$ x $B \subseteq C$ x $D$. Let $a$ be an arbitrary element of $A$ and let $b$ be an aribtrary element of $B$. Then $(a, b) \in A$ x $B$. So since $A$ x $B \subseteq C$ x $D$, $(a, b) \in C$ x $D$. Therefore $a \in C$ and $b \in D$. Since $a$ and $b$ were arbitrary elements of $A$ and $B$, respectively, this shows that $A \subseteq C$ and $B \subseteq D$.
The above proof is demonstratably wrong with the case where $A = \{1\}$, and $B = C = D = \emptyset$, but I cannot find the flaw in the logic.
Following my own reasoning gives me:
$1)$ Assuming the 'P' of the conditional: $Givens = \{$$A$ x $B \subseteq C$ x $D\}$, $Goals = \{A \subseteq C, B \subseteq D\}$
$2)$ Assuming arbitrary $a$ and $b$, assuming $a \in A$ and $b \in B$: $Givens = \{$$A$ x $B \subseteq C$ x $D, a \in A, b \in B\}$, $Goals = \{a \in C, b \in D\}$
$3)$ Note that $(a, b) \in A$ x $B \implies (a, b) \in C$ x $D \implies a \in C \land b \in D$
$4)$ Since $a \in A \land b \in B$, we can create an ordered pair, $(a, b)$ such that $(a, b) \in A$ x $B$, which appears to lead to the conclusion noted in $3)$, thus satisfying our goals.
Which is just a rambling version of the original proof.
If we rewrite the proof, the flaw becomes more apparent:
The flaw is in the "we can form an ordered pair $(a,b)$" part. If B is empty, then we can't form any ordered pairs containing $a$, and thus the proof that $a$ is in $C$ fails.