Welcome to
Beauty of Algebra
Part 1:
Sets
Sets
In everyday life, we use collective Description of set:
nouns to describe a group of objects Roaster process:
; a fleet of cars, a pair of shoes etc.
To simplify things, mathematicians A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
use the term set to describe them. Builder process:
George Cantor, the great German
mathematician, is regarded as the A = { x: x N&x≤5}
founder of ‘The Set Theory’. Notice this line carefully.
A set is simply a well defined ‘:’ means ‘such that’. ‘|’ is also
collection, list or class of objects. used instead of ‘:’.
For example, we have sets consisting
of
I) The vowels of the E nglish
Now let’s check out some
alphabet a, e, i, o, u. examples
II) The set of odd numbers 1, 3, 5…..
Sets
contd.
Let E = {x: x2 - 3x + 2 = 0}. In Some special sets
other words, E consists of those
N = the set of positive
numbers which are solutions of the
equation x2 – 3x +2 = 0. sometimes integers: 1,2,3,...
called the solution set of the given Z = the set of integers: ...,
equation. Since the solutions of the
equation are 1 and 2, we could also -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...
write E = {1, 2}. Q = the set of rational
Let E = {x: x2 – 3x + 2 = 0}, F =
{2, 1} and G= {1, 2, 2, 1,6/3 }
numbers in the form p/q
Then E = F = G. Observe that a set where q ≠ 0.
does not depend on the way in R = the set of real
which its elements are displayed. A
set remains the same if its elements numbers
are repeated or rearranged. С = the set of complex
numbers.
Sets
contd.
Subsets: Now tell me
If every element in a set A is also Let A = {2, {4, 5}, 4}. Which
an element of a set B, then A is statements are incorrect & why?
called a subset of B. We also say
that A is contained in В or that В
contains A. This relationship is
written А В or В А.
If A is not a subset of B, i.e., if at
least one element of A does not
belong to B, we write A В or
B A.
Sets
contd.
Equality of sets Set Operations
Two sets A & B are equal if А B Union of 2 sets:
& B A.
In the case that A B but A ≠B, Intersection of 2 sets:
we say that A is a proper subset
of B or B contains A properly. It
is written as A B. If , that is A & B do
not have anything in common,
Now can I say that, then A & B are said to be disjoint
N Z Q R ?? If yes then or non-intersecting.
why??? Relative complement:
Absolute complement:
Sets
contd.
Now it’s time to check out how much
we’ve learnt
Do we know what is an identity & what is an equation? It’ll be helpful
here.
Sets
contd.
Finite Sets, Counting Principle Let’s check out a prob.! Consider
A set is said to be finite if it The following data for 120 maths
contains exactly m distinct Students at a college concerning the
elements where m is a non Language French, German & Russian:
negative integer. Otherwise, it is 65 study French, 45 study German, 42
said to be infinite. The notation Study Russian, 20 study French &
n(A) will denote the no. of German, 25 study French & Russian,
elements in the set. 15 study German & Russian & 8
Study all 3 languages. We wish to find
If A & B is finite sets, then
the no.of students studying at least
and are finite and
One of 3 languages & to fill the eight
Regions of the Venn diagram.
What will happen if A & B are
disjoint sets?
For 3 finite sets A, B, C we can
apply this formula similarly:
Sets
contd.
OOPS!! I just forgot A1 is an open interval as it doesn’t
INTERVALS!!!! contain either endpoint; A2 is a
Consider the following sets of closed interval as it contains both
numbers: endpoints; A3 & A4 are open –
closed & closed – open
A1 = {x : 2< x < 5} respectively.
Notice that the given intervals are
A2 = {x : 2 ≤ x ≤ 5}
A3 = {x : 2 < x ≤ 5} sometimes denoted by
A1 = (2, 5) or ]2, 5[
A4 = {x : 2 ≤ x < 5}
A2 = [2, 5]
Notice that the 4 sets contain only A3 = (2, 5] or ]2, 5]
the points which lie between 2 & A4 = [2, 5) or [2, 5[
5 with the possible exceptions of
2 and/or 5. We call these sets
intervals, the numbers 2 & 5 Graphically we can represent
being the endpoints of each these intervals in number line
interval.
Sets
contd.
Infinite Intervals:
Sets of the form
◦ A = {x : x > 1}
◦ B = {x : x ≥ 2}
◦ C = {x : x < 3}
◦ D = {x : x ≤ 4}
Are called infinite intervals & are
also denoted by
A = ( 1, )
B = [ 2, )
C = (- , 3 )
D=(- ,4]
Now tell me, if A = [0, 2] &
B =]1, 3[, then determine
& .
