MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES

1. illustrates well-defined sets, subsets, universal sets, null set, cardinality of sets, union and intersection of sets and
the difference of two sets (M7NS-Ia-1)
2. solves problems involving sets with the use of Venn Diagram (M7NS-Ib-1)

The concept of sets is used for the foundation of various topics in mathematics.

 To learn sets, we often talk about the collection of objects, such as a set of vowels, set of negative numbers, a
group of friends, a list of fruits, a bunch of keys, etc.

What is set (in mathematics)?

The collection of well-defined distinct objects is known as a set. The word well-defined refers to a specific
property which makes it easy to identify whether the given object belongs to the set or not. The word ‘distinct’ means
that the objects of a set must be all different.

For example:
A Set: 1. The collection of children in class VII whose weight exceeds 35 kg.

It represents a set because the words “weight exceeds 35 kg” is well-defined

Not a Set: 2. The collection of all the intelligent children in class VII.

it does not represent a set because the word intelligent is vague. What may appear intelligent to one person may not
appear the same to another person.

How to state that whether the objects form a set or not?

 1. A collection of ‘lovely flowers’ is not a set, because the objects (flowers) to be included are not well-defined.

Reason: The word “lovely” is a relative term. What may appear lovely to one person may not be so to the other person.

 2. A collection of “Yellow flowers” is a set, because every yellow flower will be included in this set i.e., the
objects of the set are well-defined.

 3. A group of “Young singers” is not a set, as the range of the ages of young singers is not given and so it can’t be
decided that which singer is to be considered young i.e., the objects are not well-defined

 4. A group of “Players with ages between 18 years and 25 years” is a set, because the range of ages of the player
is given and so it can easily be decided that which player is to be included and which is to be excluded. Hence,
the objects are well-defined.

How to write a Set:

 A set is usually denoted by capital letters and elements are denoted by small letters

If x is an element of set A, then we say x ϵ A. [x belongs to A]

If x is not an element of set A, then we say x ∉ A. [x does not belong to A]

For example: The collection of vowels in the English alphabet.

Solution : Let us denote the set by V, then the elements of the set are a, e, i, o, u or we can write the set as,

V = {a, e, i, o, u}.
We say a ∈ V, e ∈ V, i ∈ V, o ∈ V and u ∈ V. Also, we can say b ∉ V, c ∉ V, d ∉ V, etc.

 The objects used to form a set are called its element or its members. Generally, the elements of a set are
written inside a pair of curly (idle) braces and are separated by commas.

For example: The collection of vowels in the English alphabet.

Solution: We can denote the set of vowels as V= {a, e, i, o, u}.
Here the elements of set V are a, e, i, o and u.
The two basic properties to represent a set

1. The change in order of writing the elements does not make any changes in the set.
For example:
(i) The set D = {a, b, c} can also be written as; D = {a, c, b} or D = {b, c, a} or D = {b, a, c} or D = {c, a, b} or D = {c, b, a}.
In other words, the order in which the elements of a set are written is not important.

2. If one or many elements of a set are repeated, the set remains the same.
For example:
(i) The set E = {1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4} should be written as E = {1, 2, 3, 4}
(ii) F is a set of letters in the word ‘GOOGLE’, so the set must be written as F = {G, O, L, E}
In other words, the elements of a set should be distinct. So, if any element of a set is repeated number of times in the set,
we consider it as a single element.

Cardinal number/Cardinality of a set

The number of distinct elements in a finite set is called its cardinal number.
It is denoted as n(A) and read as ‘the number of elements of the set’ A.
For example:
(i) Given, X = {letters in the word MALAYALAM} Then, X = {M, A, L, Y} has 4 elements.
Therefore, cardinal number of set X is 4, in symbol; n(X) = 4

(ii) Set C = {Florida, New York, California} has 3 elements.

Therefore, the cardinal number of set C is 3. So, it is denoted as n(C) = 3.

(iii) Set V is the collection of vowels in the English alphabet. Then V = {a, e, i, o, u} has 5 elements.
Therefore, the cardinal number of set V is 5. So, it is denoted as n(V) = 5.

(iv) Given, Z = {natural numbers between 20 and 50, which are divisible by 7} Then, Z = {21, 28, 35, 42, 49} has
5 elements. Therefore, cardinal number of set Z is 5, in symbol n(Z) = 5

(v) Set E = {x:x is a natural number less than 1} Then, E = { } has no element.
Therefore, the cardinal number of set E is 0. So, it is denoted as n(E) = 0.

Representations of a set
1. Statement form:
In this, well-defined description of the elements of the set is given and the same are enclosed in curly brackets.
For example:
(i) Let N denote the set of first five natural numbers.
Therefore, N = {first five natural numbers}
(ii) The set of all vowels of the English alphabet.
Therefore, V = {all vowels of the English alphabet}
(iii) Let X is a set of odd whole numbers less than 9.
Therefore, X = {all odd whole numbers less than 9}

2. Roster form or tabular form: (the most common representation of sets)

In this, elements of the set are listed within the pair of brackets { } and are separated by commas.
For example:
(i) Let N denote the set of first five natural numbers.
Therefore, N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
(ii) The set of all vowels of the English alphabet.
Therefore, V = {a, e, i, o, u}
(iii) Let X is a set of all odd whole numbers less than 9.
Therefore, X = {1, 3, 5, 7}
3. Set builder form:
In this, a rule, or the formula or the statement is written within the pair of brackets so that the set is well defined. In the
set builder form, all the elements of the set, must possess a single property to become the member of that set.
In this form of representation of a set, the element of the set is described by using a symbol ‘x’ or any other variable
followed by a colon The symbol ‘:‘ or ‘|‘ is used to denote such that.
For example:
(i) Let N denote the set of first five natural numbers.
Therefore, N = {x:x is one of the first five natural number}
and read as N is the set of elements x such that x is one of the first five natural number
 (ii) The set of all vowels of the English alphabet.
Therefore, V = {x:x is a vowel in the English alphabet}
and read as V is the set of elements x such that x is a vowel in the English alphabet
(iii) Let X is a set of all odd whole numbers less than 9.
Therefore, X = {x:x is an odd whole number less than 9}
and read as X is the set of elements x such that x is an odd whole number less than 9

Different Types of Sets

Finite Set:
A set which contains a definite number (can be counted) of elements is called a finite set.
For example:
(a)• The set of all colors in the rainbow. R = {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet}
the elements are definite or can be counted
(b)• N = {x : x ∈ N, x < 7} N = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
the elements are definite or can be counted
(c)• P = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, ...... 97}
All numbers between 2 to 97 are belong to P, the elements are definite or can be counted

Special kinds of Finite Sets

Empty Set or Null Set:

A set which does not contain any element is called an empty set, or the null set or the void set and it is denoted
by ∅ and is read as phi. In roster form, ∅ is denoted by {}. An empty set is a finite set, since the number of
elements in an empty set is finite, i.e., 0.
For example:
(a) The set of whole numbers less than 0. N = ∅ or N = { }
( Clearly there is no whole number less than 0 Therefore, it is an empty set.)
(b) A = {x : x ∈ N, 3 < x < 4} A = ∅ or A = { }
(Here A is an empty set because there is no natural number between 2 and 3.)
(c) B = {x : x is a composite number less than 4}. B = ∅ or B = { }
(Here B is an empty set because there is no composite number less than 4.)
Note:
 ∅ ≠ {0} ∴ {0} is a set which has one element 0.
 The cardinal number of an empty set, i.e., n(∅) = 0

Singleton Set:
A set which contains only one element is called a singleton set.
For example:
(a) A = {x : x is neither prime nor composite natural number} A= { 1 }
(It is a singleton set containing one element, which is 1.)
(b) B = {x : x is a whole number, x < 1} A= { 0 }
(This set contains only one element 0 and is a singleton set.)
(c) Let C = {x : x is a even prime number} A= { 2 }
(Here C is a singleton set because there is only one prime number which is even, is 2.)

Infinite Set:
The set whose elements cannot be listed, i.e., set containing never-ending elements is called an infinite set.
For example:
(a)• A = {x : x ∈ N, x > 1} --- A = { 2, 3, 4, 5, …}
“…” or ellipses indicates continuity or infinity of the pattern. There are infinite set of numbers greater than 1
(b)• B is a Set of all prime numbers --- B = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, …}
There are infinite set of prime numbers
(c)• C = {x : x ∈ W, x = 2n} --- C = { 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, …}
There are infinite set of even whole numbers
Note:
 some infinite sets cannot be expressed in roster form. Like the set of real numbers (since the elements of this set
do not follow any particular pattern)
Disjoint and Overlapping Sets

Disjoint Sets:
Two sets A and B are said to be disjoint, if they do not have any element in common.
For example;
A = {x : x is a prime number} --- A = { 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,…}
B = {x : x is a composite number}. B = { 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, …}
(Clearly, A and B do not have any element in common and are disjoint sets.)

Overlapping sets:
Two sets A and B are said to be overlapping if they contain at least one element in common.
For example;
X = {x : x ∈ N, x < 6} --- X = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
Y = {x : x ∈ I, -1 < x < 4} --- Y = { 0, 1, 2, 3}
(Here, the two sets contain three elements in common, i.e., (1, 2, 3), so X and Y are overlapping sets)

Equal and Equivalent Sets

Equal Set:
Two sets are said to be equal if all the elements of set A are in set B and vice versa.
The symbol to denote an equal set is =.
For example;
A = {2, 3, 5}
B = {5, 2, 3}
(Here, set A and set B have common elements and are equal sets. In symbol A = B)

Equivalent Set:
Two sets are said to be equivalent sets if they contain the same number of elements.
The symbol to denote equivalent set is ↔.
For example;
A = {p, q, r}
B = {2, 3, 4}
(Here, we observe that both the sets contain three elements. In symbol A ↔ B)
Notes:
 Equal sets are always equivalent.
 Equivalent sets may not be equal.

Subsets and Supersets

Subset:
If A and B are two sets, and every element of set A is also an element of set B,
then A is called a subset of B and we write it as A ⊆ B
The symbol ⊆ stands for ‘is a subset of’ or ‘is contained in’
For example;
(i) Let A = {2, 4, 6} and B = {6, 4, 8, 2}
Here A ⊆ B, A is a subset of B, since all the elements of set A( 2, 4, 6 ) are contained in set B.
But B ⊄ A, B is not a subset of A, since all the elements of set B are not contained in set A (doesn’t contain 8).
(ii) Let A = {1, 3, 5, 7} and B = {3, 1, 7, 5}
Here A ⊆ B, A is a subset of B, since all the elements of set A are contained in set B.
And also, B ⊆ A, B is a subset of A, since all the elements of set B are contained in set A.

Proper Subset:
If A and B are two sets, then A is called the proper subset of B if A ⊆ B but B ⊇ A i.e., A ≠ B.
The symbol ‘⊂’ is used to denote proper subset. Symbolically, we write A ⊂ B.
For example;
A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, Here A ≠ B
We observe that, all the elements of A are present in B but the element ‘5’ of B is not present in A.
So, we say that A is a proper subset of B. Symbolically, we write it as A ⊂ B
Superset:
Whenever set A is a subset of set B, we say the B is a superset of A and we write, B ⊇ A.
Symbol ⊇ is used to denote ‘is a super set of’
For example;
A = {a, b, d, e, h} and B = {a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h}
Here A ⊆ B i.e., A is a subset of B and also B ⊇ A i.e., B is a super set of A
Subsets, Proper subsets and Power set of a single Set

Subsets of a single set⊆

 Every set is a subset of itself
 Null/Empty set or ∅ is a subset of every set.
For Example:
Set C = { 1, 2, 3 }
Solutions: Its subsets are ∅, {1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {2, 3}, {1, 3}, {1, 2, 3}
To identify the number of subsets of set use the formula 2n where “n” is the number of elements of the
given set
For Example: Set C = { 1, 2, 3 } --- 2n = 23 = 8 subsets

Proper subsets of a single set ⊂

 No set is a proper subset of itself.
 Null/Empty set or ∅ is a proper subset of every set.
For Example:
Set C = { 1, 2, 3 }
Solutions: Its proper subsets are ∅, { }, {1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {2, 3}, {1, 3}
To identify the number of proper subsets of set use the formula 2n - 1 where “n” is the number of
elements of the given set
For Example: Set C = { 1, 2, 3 } --- 2n – 1 = 23 - 1= 8 – 1 = 7 subsets

Power Set of a set

The collection of all subsets of set A is called the power set of A. It is denoted by P(A). In P(A), every element is a set.
For example;
Set C = { 1, 2, 3 }
Solutions: Its subsets are ∅, {1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {2, 3}, {1, 3}, {1, 2, 3}
therefore P(C) = {∅, {1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {2, 3}, {1, 3}, {1, 2, 3}} Here every subset was written inside the curly braces

Universal Set of Sets

Universal Set
A set which contains all the elements of other given sets is called a universal set. The symbol for denoting a universal set
is ∪ or ξ.
For example;
1. If A = {1, 2, 3} B = {2, 3, 4} C = {3, 5, 7} then U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7}
therefore A ⊆ U, B ⊆ U, C ⊆ U, Universal set contains all the elements of other given sets
2. If A = {a, b, c} B = {d, e} C = {f, g, h, i} then U = {a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i} can be taken as universal set.
3. If W is a set of all whole numbers and Y is a set of all negative natural numbers then the universal set is a set
of all integers. Integers are composed of whole numbers and negative natural numbers therefore; set of Integers
is considered as universal set given Set W and Y]

Operations on Sets

Union of Sets:
To find the union of two given sets A and B is a set which consists of all the elements of A and all the elements of B such
that no element is repeated. The symbol for denoting union of sets is ‘∪ ’.
For example;
Let set A = {2, 4, 5, 6} and set B = {4, 6, 7, 8}
Taking every element of both the sets A and B, without repeating any element, we get a new set
A ∪ B = {2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}

Intersection of Sets:
To find the intersection of two given sets A and B is a set which consists of all the elements which are common to both A
and B. The symbol for denoting intersection of sets is ‘∩‘.
For example:
Let set A = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6} and set B = {3, 5, 7, 9}
In this two sets, the elements 3 and 5 are common. The set containing these common elements
A ∩ B = {3, 5} is the intersection of set A and B
Difference of Sets:
To find the difference of two given sets A and B is a set which consists of elements of A eliminating the elements found
in B. The symbol for denoting intersection of sets is ‘ – ‘.
For example:
Let set A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and set B = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11}
In this two sets, the elements 2, 3 and 5 are found both A and B.
The set containing the elements of A but not in B is A - B = {1, 4} as the difference of set A and B
The set containing the elements of B but not in A is B - A = {7, 11} as the difference of set B and A

Complement of a set:
if U be the universal set and A a subset of U, then the complement of A is the set of all elements of U which are not the
elements of A. Symbolically, we denote the complement of A with respect to U as ‘ A’ ‘.
For Example;
If U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7} and A = {1, 3, 7} find the complement of A (A’) .
We observe that 2, 4, 5, 6 are the only elements of U which do not belong to A.
Therefore, A' = {2, 4, 5, 6}

What is a Venn Diagram?

It is a diagram representing mathematical or logical sets pictorially as circles or closed curves within an enclosing
rectangle (the universal set), common elements of the sets being represented by the areas of overlap among the circles.

U
BOX – REPRESENTS THE UNIVERSAL SET (U)
A E CIRCLES – REPRESENT SETS WHICH ARE SUBSETS TO UNIVERSAL
B ( set A, set B, set C, set D, set E )
D
DISJOINT SETS OVERLAPPING SETS SUBSET
A&C A&B D⊆E
A&D D&E
C A&E SUPERSET
B&C E⊇D
B&D
VENN DIAGRAM B&E
C&D
C&E
Sets Operations on Venn Diagram
(NOTE: the blue sections represents the solutions)

Union of Sets

U U
A B C D

GIVEN: A U B (Disjoint) GIVEN: C U D (Overlapping)

For example:

U U 1
A 1
B C D 10
3 3
9 2
4 4 6 2
5 8 10 8 9
6 5 7
7

Solutions Solutions
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10} U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {3,5,9} C = {3, 4, 5, 6, 8}
B = {2,4,8,10} D = {2,3,6, 8, 9}
A U B = {2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10} C U D = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9}
Intersection of Sets

U U
A B C D

GIVEN: A ∩ B (Disjoint) = Null set GIVEN: C ∩ D (Overlapping)

For example:

U U 1
A 1
B C D 10
3 3
9 2
4 4 6 2
5 8 10 8 9
6 5 7
7

Solutions Solutions
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10} U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {3,5,9} C = {3, 4, 5, 6, 8}
B = {2,4,8,10} D = {2,3,6, 8, 9}
A∩B={} C ∩ D = {3, 6, 8}

Difference of Sets

U U
A B CC D

GIVEN: A – B (Disjoint) = A GIVEN: C – D (Overlapping)

For example:

U U 1
A 1
B C D 10
3 3
9 2
4 4 6 2
5 8 10 8 9
6 5 7
7

Solutions Solutions
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10} U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {3,5,9} C = {3, 4, 5, 6, 8}
B = {2,4,8,10} D = {2,3,6, 8, 9}
A–B={} C – D = {4, 5}

Complement of a Set
For example:
U U A
7
5 8
A 3 2
10 1
4 9
GIVEN: A’ or Ac Solutions
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {2, 5, 7, 10}
A’ = {1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9}
Sample Problem Involving Sets using Venn Diagram

(i) There are 300 students joined a school fieldtrip and goes for rides
75 students rode the roller coaster,
120 students rode the Ferris wheel
83 rode the Carrousel.
25 rode the roller coaster and the Ferris wheel
35 rode both the roller coaster and the Carrousel
50 rode both the Ferris wheel and the Carrousel.
7 rode the three rides.
How many students did not rode in any rides mentioned?
Represent the following using the Venn Diagram.
Steps:
1. Identify how many sets are there in the given problem.
Here there are three sets ( Roller Coaster, Ferris Wheel and the Carrousel)
2. Draw the Universal Set as Box and Sets as labeled Circles inside the box, determine if the sets will be overlapping
sets or not.
Here the three sets overlap to each other as the given problem stated
3. Then start putting the numbers/cardinal numbers from inside to outside.
Inside means the intersecting sections of the sets.
Solution.

RC FW A Put 7 first for it is the intersection of the three rides. Then the
22 A 18 A intersection of every two sets subtracting 7 from their totals
52 A Lastly, the number of members on each set subtracting the existing
numbers from the total
28 A 7 A

43 A

5 A
125
C
Venn Diagram of 300 students who rode the rides

(ii) Given the Venn Diagram: Grade 7 students were asked what books (Math, English and Science) they received from
the distribution of books
How many G7 students are there? 46 students
How many students have;
English 4 Math 1. Math books? 23
8
A
A

2. English books? 30
3. Science books? 23
7 A

4. Both Math and English books? 13

5 A

4 13 A 5. Both Math and Science books? 8

A
3 6. Both Science and English books only? 13
A

7. Both Math and English books only? 8

2 ScienceA
8. All the three books? 5
9. Math only? English Only? Science Only? 7,4,2
10. Math books but don’t have Science book?19
Books the students handled 11. English books but don’t have Math book?19
12. Two books but not having English books?12
13. Nothing of any book? 4
Steps: Analyze what is asked and identify it to the sets given in the Venn diagram then just apply simple arithmetic
(addition).