Chapter 1

SETS
1.1 SETS
A set is a well-defined collection of distinct
objects.
Examples:
a) The set of real numbers.
b) The set of counting numbers less than 10.
c) The set of months of the year that has 31
days.
d) The set of even numbers between 3 and
25.
1.1 SETS
Each object of a set is called a member or
an element of the set. The symbol is
used to indicate that an element belongs to
a given set and the symbol to denote that
an element does not belong to the set.
Capital letters are often used to represent
or stand for a set. If a is an element of set
S, then a belongs to S and is written as a
S. The notation a S means that a does
not belong to S.
1.1 SETS
Methods of Describing a Set
1. Roster or Listing Method it
describes the set by listing all
elements of the set separated by
commas and enclosed in braces { }.
2. Rule Method or Set-Builder
Notation it describes the set by
enclosing a descriptive phrase of the
elements in braces.
1.1 SETS
Examples: Write each of the following sets
using roster method and rule method.
1. The vowels in the alphabet.
2. The counting numbers between 2 and 7.
3. The single digits used in our decimal system.
4. The set of all odd numbers between 2 and 7.
5. The fraction whose numerator is 1 and
whose denominator is a counting number
less than 5.
6. The letters in the word ELEMENT.
1.1 SETS
Note: The elements of a set may
appear in any order and are never
repeated.

Cardinality of Set
The cardinality of a set S, denoted by
n(S) or |S|, is the number of distinct
elements in the set.
Examples: Find the cardinality of the
above sets.
1.2 KINDS OF SETS
Finite Set and Infinite Set
A finite set is a set whose elements can be
counted; otherwise, the set is an infinite set.
Null or Empty Set
A null or empty set, denoted by or { }, is a
set that has no element.
Universal Set
The universal set, denoted by U, is a set that
contains all the elements in consideration.
1.2 KINDS OF SETS
Examples: Determine if the following sets is
a finite set, infinite set, or a null/empty set.
a) A = {2, 4, 6, 8}
b) B = {1, 3, 5,}
c) C = {1, 2, 3, ,20}
d) D = {x|x is an integer}
e) E = {x|x is an odd number less than 10}
f) F = {x|x is a prime number between 19
and 23}
1.2 KINDS OF SETS
Note: The cardinality of a null or
empty set is zero.
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
A one-to-one correspondence exists
between two sets A and B if it is
possible to associate the elements of
A with the elements of B in such a
way that each element of each set is
associated with exactly one element
of the other.
Example:
A = {a, b, c} and B = {1, 2, 3}
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Equivalent and Equal Sets

Two sets A and B are equivalent, denoted by

A B, if and only if there exists a one-to-one
correspondence between them.

Two sets A and B are equal, denoted by A =

B, if the elements of A and B are exactly
the same.
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Examples: Tell whether the given sets
are equal or equivalent.
a) {a, b, c, d} and {1, 2, 3, 4}
b) {1, 2, 3} and {2, 1, 3}

Note: Equal sets are always

equivalent but equivalent sets are
not always equal.
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Joint and Disjoint Sets
Two sets A and B are joint if and only if A
and B have common elements,
otherwise, A and B are disjoint.
Examples: Tell the relationships (in
pairs) between the three sets given
whether it is joint or disjoint sets.
Let A = {2, 4, 6, 7}, B = {2, 4, 5, 8}, C
= {1, 3, 5, 8}
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Subset and Proper Subset
Set A is a subset of (or included in) B, denoted by
A B, if every element of A is an element of B.
Set A is a proper subset of B, denotedby A
B, if A is a subset of B and B has at least one
element not found in A.

If there is an element of set A which is not found

in

set B, then A is not a subset of B, denoted by
A B.
 The set {1, 2} is a proper subset of {1, 2, 3}.
Any set is a subset of itself, but not a proper subset.
The empty set { }, denoted by , is also a subset of
any given set X. It is also always a proper subset of
any set except itself.
The set {x: x is a prime number greater than 2000}
is a proper subset of {x: x is an odd number greater
than 1000}
The set of natural numbers is a proper subset of the
set of rational numbers and the set of points in a
line segment is a proper subset of the set of points in
a line.
 Here are some examples of true statements
using the subset symbol:

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ... } {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...}

{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...} {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...}

{0, 1, 2, 3, 4} {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...}

{-2, -3, -4} {-2,-2.5, -3, -3.5, -4}
The following statements, are true:

{-1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...} {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...}

{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...} {0, -1, -2, -3, -4, ...}

{-2,-2.5, -3, -3.5, -4} {-2, -3, -4}
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Example: Tell whether the given pairs of sets
are subsets, proper subsets or not a subset.
Let A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7},
C = {4, 5, 6, 7}
1. A and B A is a proper subset of B
2. B and A B is not a subset of A
3. A and C A is not a subset of C
4. B and C B is not a subset of C
5. C and B C is a proper subset of B
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Power
Set
The power of set A, denoted byA P , is a set
whose elements are all the subsets of A.
Note: A null set is a subset of any given set.
Any set is a subset of itself.
There aren 2 subsets, where n is the
number of elements, that can be
formed
for any given set. ()
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Example: If A = {2, 4, 6}, determine
the power set of A.
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Exercises: For each of the following sets, determine
which is finite and which is infinite. For the finite
sets, tell which are equivalent and which are
equal.
1. The set of first five counting numbers.
2. The set of all even numbers.
3. The set of distinct letters in the word CALCULUS.
4. The set of even numbers less than 5.
5. The set of points in a given plane that are exactly
two units from a given point in that plane.
6. The set whose elements are 2 and 4.
1.3 SET RELATIONSHIPS
Venn Diagram
It is the pictorial representation in
dealing with the relations between
sets, after the English logician James
Venn.
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Union of Sets
The union of two sets A and B denoted by A U
B, is the set whose elements belong to A or to
B or to both A and B. In symbol,
A U B = {x|x A or x B or x A and B}
Examples: Find the union of the pairs of sets
given that A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {b, c, d},
C = {1, 3, 5, 8}, D = {2, 3, 4, 5}
1. A U B
2. C U D
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Intersection of Sets
The intersection of two sets A and B, denoted by
A B
, is the set whose elements are common to
A and B. In symbol,
A B =A B x | x A x B
and
Examples: Find the intersection of the given pairs
of sets given that A = {2, 4, 6, 8},
B = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, C = {1, 2, 3} and D = {5, 10,
15}
A B AC B C A D
1. 2. 3. 4.
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Complement of a Set
The complement of a set A, denoted by A, is
the set with elements found in the universal
set, but not in A; that is, the difference of the
universal set and A. In symbol,
A' x | x A x A
and
Examples: Find A given that
a) U = {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and A = {1, 3, 5,
7, 9}
b) U = {1, 2, 3, 4, } and A = {4, 5, 6, 7,}
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Difference of Sets
The difference of two sets A and B, denoted by
A B, is the set whose elements are in A but not
in B. In symbol,
and
A B x | x A x B
Example: Given: A = {2,3,4,5} and B = {1,2,3}
Find: a) A B
b) B - A
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Cartesian Product of Sets
The Cartesian product of two sets A
and B, denoted by A x B, is the set of
ordered pairs
(x, y) such that x is an element of A
andAxB
y is x,an
y | x element
A of
yB B. In symbol,
and
Example: Given: A = {1,2} and B =
{a,b}.
Find AxB
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
Note: AxB BxA

Examples:
1.Let U={x|x is a counting number less than 10}
A={x|x is a positive odd integer less than 10}
B={2,4,6,8}
C={2,3,4,5}
Find: a) AUB b) AUC c) BUC d) A B e) A C
f) B
C g) A h) B i) C
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
2. A survey of 100 students revealed the following
information as to the number of students enrolled
in Mathematics (M), Physics (P) and Chemistry (C) :
Subject No. of students enrolled
M 26
C 65
P 65
M and C 14
M and P 13
C and P 40
M, C and P 8
a) How many students are taking any
one of the three subjects?
b) How many students did not take any
of the three subjects?
c) How many students are enrolled
only in M?
d) How many students are enrolled
only in C?
e) How many students are enrolled
only in P?
1.4 OPERATIONS ON
SETS
3. In a survey concerning the number
of students enrolled in Mathematics,
it was found out that 30 are enrolled
in Algebra, Calculus and
Trigonometry; 40 in Algebra and
Trigonometry; 45 in Trigonometry and
Calculus; 50 in Algebra and calculus;
80 in Algebra; and 70 in Calculus. If
there are 130 students in all, how
many students are enrolled in
4. In a survey among moviegoers preferences, 60% like
fiction, 55% like drama, 56% like comedy, 25% like
fiction and drama, 30% like fiction and comedy, 26% like
comedy and drama, and 5% like fiction, drama and
comedy. Only 5% of the respondents do not prefer any
types of movies mentioned.
1. Draw a Venn Diagram corresponding to the given data.
2. What are the percentages of moviegoers who prefer
a. comedy but not fiction?
b. drama only?
c. fiction or comedy but not drama?
d. comedy and drama but not fiction?