SETS: AN INTRODUCTION

My Score

CONTENT STANDARD
The learner demonstrates understanding of key concept of sets.

COMPETENCIES
The learner…
 Describes and illustrates well-defined sets, subsets, universal set and the
null set.
 Uses Venn Diagrams to represent sets, subsets and set operations.

TIME FRAME: 3 Hours

LEARNING CONCEPTS

,
Introduction to Set

A Set is a well-defined group of objects called elements that share a common characteristic.
For example, in the figures below belong to the set of Philippine banknotes or simply money.

Example 1
 Subset

The set F is a subset of set A if all elements of F are also elements of A. In the example
below, the odd numbers 1, 3 and 5 all belong to the set of whole numbers. Therefore, the odd
numbers 1, 3 and 5 form a subset of the set of whole numbers. F is a proper subset of A if F
does not contain all elements of A.

Example 2 A 9
A = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
F = { 1, 3, 5 } 2 6

4 7 8

Universal Set

The universal set U is a set that contains all objects under consideration. In the example
below, the kind of triangles and group of quadrilaterals are all belong to the set of polygons.

Example 3
U = { x/x is a set of polygons }
A = { acute triangle, right triangle, obtuse triangle, isosceles triangle, scalene triangle,
equilateral triangle }
F = { square, parallelogram, rhombus, kite, trapezoid, trapezium }

The Null Set ø

The null set is an empty set. The null set is a set of any set.

The Cardinality of a Set

The cardinality of a set A is the number of elements contained in set A.

Notations and Symbols

In this part, you will learn some of the notations and symbols pertaining to sets.
1. Uppercase letters will be used to name sets and lowercase letters will be used to refer to
any elements of a set. For example, let A be the set of whole numbers; A =
{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}. This is listing or roster method of naming the elements of a set. The
rule method used descriptors; A = {x/x whole numbers}. This is read as “the set A contains
the element x such that x are whole numbers.”
2. The symbol ø or { } will be used to refer to an empty set.
3. If F is a subset of A, then we write F _ A. If F is a proper subset of A, then we write F A.
4. The cardinality of a set A is written as n(A).
 Venn Diagrams

Sets and subsets may be represented using Venn diagrams. These are diagrams that make
use of geometric shapes to show relationships between sets. For example, let the universal
set U be all the elements in sets A, B, C, and D.

U
A
D
C
B

A set is represented in each shape. Remember, although there are no elements shown
inside each shape, we can conclude how the sets are related to each other. Notice that set B
and set C are inside the set A. These indicate that elements in B are also in set A as well as
elements in set C are in set A. Set D, however, is separate from sets A, B, and C. It means,
elements in set D are not elements in set A but all elements in sets A, B, C, and D are in the
set U or the universal set U.

Activity 1
Exercise 1. Objects Representing Sets.
Direction: Group the following objects as you see fit and label each group.
Answer the following questions:
1. Specify the name of a set as a well – defined set then use rule method for its element.

2. How many groups are there?

3. Does each object belong to a group?

4. Is there an object that belongs to more than one group? Which one?

5. How will you define a universal set based from the given illustration?

Exercise 2. Deepen the idea of Sets

Direction: Do the following exercises. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. Give three (3) examples of well–defined sets found inside the classroom using listing
method.

2. Let A = { 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 }. List all the possible subsets of A.

3. How many subsets does a set of n elements have?

4. What is the relationship of a subset of a set and an empty set?

5. Is empty set a possible subset of a set in the universal set? Why?

 Exercise 3. Apply Venn Diagrams in a Set

Direction: Draw a Venn diagram to show the relationships between the following pairs or
groups of sets. Write your answer on the opposite side of each item.
1. A = { The English Alphabet }
B = { a, e, i, o, u }

2. M = { set of even numbers }

N = { 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 }

3. R = { x/x is a factor of 100 }

S = { 3, 7, 9 }
T = {empty set}

MATH CHALLENGE
1. A class of 60 high school students was asked whether they are using either Facebook
or Twitter or both. Forty of these students use Facebook and thirty two students use
Twitter.
a. How many students use Facebook only?
b. How many students use Twitter only?
c. How many use both social networking sites?
 UNION AND INTERSECTION OF SETS

My Score

CONTENT STANDARD
The learner demonstrates understanding of key concept of sets.

COMPETENCIES
The learner…
 Defines and describes the union and intersection of sets.
 Uses Venn Diagrams to represent sets, subsets and set operations.
 Solves problems involving sets.

TIME FRAME: 3 Hours

LEARNING CONCEPTS

,
Union of Sets

Let A and B be sets. The union of the sets A and B, usually denoted by A U B, is defined as
a set that contains those elements that are either in set A or in set B, or in both.

For example, A = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15} and B = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}. An element x belongs to the union of
the sets A and B if and only if x belongs to A or in B. This tells us that A U B = {xIx is in A or
x is in B}. See the illustration below;

A B
 Intersection of Sets

The intersection of the sets A and B, denoted be A ∩ B, is defined as a set containing those
elements in both A and B.

For example, A = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15} and B = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}. An element x belongs to the
intersection of the sets A and B if and only if x belongs to A and x belongs to B. This tells us
that A ∩ B = {xIx is in A and x is in B}. See the illustration below;

Universal Set
(Note: Sets whose intersection is an empty set are also known as disjoint sets.)

The Cardinality of the union of two Sets

The cardinality of the union of two sets is given by the following equation:

n(A U B) = n(A) + n(B) – n(A ∩ B)

For example, A = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15} and B = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}. The cardinality of set A is written as
n(A) = 5, set B as n(B) = 5, n(A ∩ B) = 2. Then, n(A U B) = 5 + 5 – 2 = 8. Thus, n(A U B) = 8.
 Activity 2
Exercise 1. Union and Intersection of Sets
Direction: Use the Venn diagram below and answer the given questions.

t a f
r s
h e
c
d

A B
Answer the following questions:
1. Write the elements of Sets A and B using listing method.

2. What elements may be found in the intersection of A and B? How many are there?

3. What elements may be found in the union of A and B? How many are there?

4. What is the cardinality of the Set A, Set B, and the two sets?

Exercise 2. Deepen the idea of Union and Intersection of Sets

Direction: Analyze the table below and answer the given questions.
Set A Set B Set C
Students who can dance Students who can sing Students who can act
Von Pasamba Edward Pardilla Gelo San Juan
Louise Rodillas Rosette Valencia Carl Bajar
Gelo San Juan Von Pasamba Odette Garcia
Marco Huego Gelo San Juan Erica Jaca
Andrew Go Odette Garcia Erine Uy
Answer the following questions:
1. What elements may be found in the intersection of A and B; A and C; B and C; and all sets?

2. What elements may be found in the union of A and B; A and C; B and C; and all sets?

3. What is the cardinality of the n(A U B); n(A U C); n(B U C); and n(A U B U C)?

Exercise 3. Solve problems involving sets

Direction: Read and answer the problem carefully. Use Venn diagram!
1. Among 100 kids in Barangay Ibabang Dupay, 83 like eating in Jollibee while 72 like
eating in McDonalds. How many like eating both in Jollibee and in McDonalds? In Jollibee
only? In McDonalds only?
2. A class of 50 students has enjoyed their summer trip. 24 joined the trip to Tagaytay; 18
went to Baguio; 20 made a trip to Vigan; 12 have joined the trip to Tagaytay and Baguio;
15 visited Baguio and Vigan; 11 made a trip to Tagaytay and Vigan; and 10 have visited
the tree summer destination.
a. How many of the students went to Tagaytay only?
b. How many of the students went to Baguio only?
c. How many of the students went to Vigan only?
d. How many of the students did not go to any of the summer destinations?
 COMPLEMENT OF A SETS

My Score

CONTENT STANDARD
The learner demonstrates understanding of key concept of sets.

COMPETENCIES
The learner…
 Defines and describes the complement of a set.
 Uses Venn Diagrams to represent complement of a set.

TIME FRAME: 1 Hour

LEARNING CONCEPTS

,
Complement of a set

Given a set A, the complement of a set A, written as A’ , is the set of all elements found in
the universal set U, that are not found in set A. You can also say complement of A in U.

Example 1. Find the complement of B in U or B’.

B = { 1, 2, 4, 6}

U = {1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 }

Complement of B in U or B’ = { 7, 8, 9}
Example 2.

Take a close look at the figure above. d and f are in U, but they are not in A.
Therefore A’ = {d, f}

Sometimes, instead of looking at the Venn Diagrams, it may be easier to write down the
elements of both sets.

Then, we show in bold the elements that are in U, but not in A

A = { a, b, c}

U = { a, b, c, d, f}

Example 3. Find B’.

Let B = {1 orange, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 apple}

Let U = {1 orange, 1 apricot, 1 pinapple, 1 banana, 1 mango, 1 apple, 1 kiwifruit }

Again, we show in bold all elements in U, but not in B

B’ = {1 apricot, 1 mango, 1 kiwifruit}

Example 4. Find the complement of A in U.

A = { x / x is a number bigger than 4 and smaller than 8}

U = { x / x is a positive number smaller than 7}

Then, A = { 5, 6, 7} and U = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

A’ = { 1, 2, 3, 4}

Or A’ = { x / x is a number bigger than 1 and smaller than 5 }

 Activity 3
Exercise 1. Complement of a Set
Direction: Use the Venn diagram and answer the guide questions below..

t a f
r s
h e
i n
c
d

A B

Guide Questions:
1. Write the elements of Sets A and B and the Universal sets using listing method.

2. What is the complement of A in U? n(A’)?

3. What is the complement of B in U? n(B’)?

Exercise 2. Deepen the idea of Complement of a Set

Direction: Use Venn diagram to illustrate the given sets and find the complement of a set.
1. Let U = {x : x is an integer, –4 ≤ x ≤ 7},
P = {–4, –2, 0, 2, 4, 5, 6} and
Q ’ = {–3, –2, –1, 2, 3}.
A. List the elements of the complement of set P or P’.
B. Draw a Venn diagram to display the sets U, P and P ’.
C. Find n(Q)
 Exercise 3. Analysis on Venn Diagram
Direction: Analyze the Venn diagram below and find the complements of each set.
1. U
s

p a g
j d n

e b w c
x z i
y r m
d h l k
Answer the following questions.
1. Set A =
2. Set B =
3. Set C =
4. Set A’ =
5. Set B’ =
6. Set C’ =
7. Complement of A U B =
8. Complement of A U C =
9. Complement of B U C =
10. Complement of A U B U C =
11. Complement of A ∩ B =
12. Complement of A ∩ C =
13. Complement of B ∩ C =
14. Complement of A U B ∩ C =
15. Complement of A ∩ B U C =
2.
U
August Z

X March
April December
May
Y November
October
July
September
June
January

February

Answer the following questions.

1. Set A =
2. Set B =
3. Set C =
4. Set A’ =
5. Set B’ =
6. Set C’ =
7. Complement of A U B =
8. Complement of A U C =
9. Complement of B U C =
10. Complement of A U B U C =
11. Complement of A ∩ B =
12. Complement of A ∩ C =
13. Complement of B ∩ C =
14. Complement of A U B ∩ C =
15. Complement of A ∩ B U C =
References:

Books/Manual
Vistro, et.al., Teaching Guide in Grade 7 Math

Electronics

http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/sets/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/venn-diagrams.html
http://www.basic-mathematics.com/complement-of-a-set.html
http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/complement-of-a-set.html

Prepared by:

ANGELO S. VILLANUEVA, PhD

Professor, Math in the Modern World