What is a Set? A set is a well-defined collection of distinct objects. Example: 4 = {1, 2,3, 4.5} What is an element of a Set? ¢ The objects in a set are called its elements. o So in case of the above Set A, the elements would be 1. 2, 3.4 and 5. We can say, 1e€A,2€A ¢ Usually we denote Sets by CAPITAL LETTERs like A, B, C etc. while their elements are denoted in small letters like *. y. = ¢ Ifx is an element of A, then we say x belongs to Aand we represent it as x € A ¢ If xis not an element of A, then we say that x does not belong to A and we represent it as rG¢AHow to describe a Set? e Roaster Method or Tabular Form o In this form, we just list the elements o Example A= {1, 2,3, 4} or B= {a,b, c,d, e} ¢ Set- Builder Form or Rule Method or Description Method o In this method, we list the properties satisfied by all elements of the set Example 4 = {1:2 € N.x <5} Some examples of Roster Form vs Set-builder Form Roster Form Set-builder Form 1 {1, 2,3, 4,5} {xlx € N,z< 6} 9 {2. 4, 6,810} {x|x =2n,n€N,1>n< 5} 3 {1. 4,9, 16, 25, 36} {alr =n? ne N,1>n <6}Sets of Numbers 1. Natural Numbers (V) N = {1,2,3,4, 56,7,---} 2. Integers (2) Z ={-+» ,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,4,---} 3. Whole Numbers ('’) W = {0,1,2,34,5,6---} 4. Rational Numbers (@) {p/a:p € Z,.q €Z.qF 0}Finite Sets & Infinite Sets Finite Set: A set where the process of counting the elements of the set would surely come to an end is called finite set ¢ Example: All natural numbers less than 50 e All factors of the number 36 Infinite Set: A set that consists of uncountable number of distinct elements is called infinite set. Example: Set containing all natural numbers {x|x € N,x > 100}Empty Set ¢ Aset containing no elements at all is called an empty set or a null set or a void set. ¢ It is denoted by # (phai) ¢ Inroster form you write ? = {} * Also "(¢) = 0 o Examples: {|x € N.3<2<4}=o o {a|x is an even prime number, x > 5} = @ Non Empty Set ¢ Aset which has at least one element is called a non-empty set o Example: 4 = {1. 2.3} or B = {1} Singleton Set ¢ Aset containing exactly one element is called a singleton set o Example: 4 = {a} or 8 = {1}Equal Sets * Two set A and Bare said to be equal sets and written as 4 = Bif every element of 4 is in Band every element of Bisin 4 o Example A = {1,2,3, 4} and B= {4,2,3,1} ¢ It is not about the number of elements. It is the elements themselves. ¢ If the sets are not equal, then we write as A#B Equivalent Sets ¢ Two finite sets 4 and B are said to be equivalent, written as 4 <> B, if n(A) = n(B), that is they have the same number of elements. o Example: A = {a,e,i,0,u} and B = {1,2,3, 4,5}, Therefore n(A) = 5 and n(B) = 5therefore 4 + B * Note: Two equal sets are always equivalent but two equivalent sets need not be equal.Subsets If A and B are two sets given in sucha way that every element of Ais in B, then we Say Ais a subset of B and we write it asACB Thereforeis AC Bandxe Athenze B If Ais a subset of B, we say Bis a super set of AandiswrittenasBDA Every set is a subset of itself. cie. AC A,B C Bete. Empty set is a subset of every set ciedCA, OCB lfAC BandBCA,thenA=B Similarly, if 4 = B,thenA C BandBCA If set_4 contains n elements, then there are 2” subsets of 4Power Set ¢ The set of all possible subsets of a set 4 is called the power set of A, denoted by P(A). If Acontains n elements, then P(A) = 2? o ie.if A = {1,2}, then P(A) = 2? =4 o Empty set is a subset of every set © Soin this case the subsets are {1}. {2}. {2,3} & ¢Universal Set If there are some sets in consideration, then there happens to be a set which is a super set of each one of the given sets. Such a set is known as universal set, to be denoted by U or€. i.e.if A = {1,2}, B = {3,4}, and C = {1,5}, then U or €é = {1,2,3, 4,5}Operations on Sets Union of Sets The union of sets 4 and B, denoted by AUB, is the set of all those elements, each one of which is either in 4 orin Borin both A and B If there is a set A = {2,3} and B = {a,b}, then AUB = {2,3,a,b} Soif AUB = {a|x € Aor z € B} then a € AUBwhichmeansze¢ AorxzeB And ifx ¢ AUBwhich means z ¢ Aorz ¢ BInteraction of Sets The intersection of sets 4 and Bis denoted by 47 B.and is a set of all elements that are common in sets 4 and B. Lif A = {1,2,3} and B = {2,4,5}, then ANB = {2} as 2is the only common element. Thus AN B= {x:x€ Aand x € B} then rE ANBiexre AandreB Andifa ¢ AN Bie. ¢ Aandx ¢ B Disjointed Sets Two sets 4 and B are called disjointed, if they have no element in common. Therefore: «t€ANBie.rc¢ AandrgB