SETS

SET

 A set is a collection of unordered, distinct objects (could be number, could be

something else) that we call elements.

 A set is a well-defined collection of distinct objects.

The individual objects in a set are called the members or elements of the set.

 Or simply sets are collection of object called elements

A SET CAN CONTAIN…

 Numbers

 Letters from the alphabet

 Objects

 Etc.

All of which can be called an element.

SETS ARE DENOTED USING…

 Sets are denoted using capital letters

 For example Set A can be written as A = {}

 An empty set can be written as O=

/ {}
ELEMENT CAN BE DENOTED AS…

Lowercase letters are usually used to denote elements of sets.

For example:

A = {a, b, c, d, e}
 SETS OF NUMBER TYPES

Symbol Description
N Natural Numbers
The whole numbers from 1 upwards. (Or from 0 upwards in some fields of
mathematics).

The set is {1,2,3,...} or {0,1,2,3,...}

Z Integers
The whole numbers, {1,2,3,...} negative whole numbers
{..., -3,-2,-1} and zero {0}. So the set is {..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...}

(Z is from the German "Zahlen" meaning numbers, because I is used

for the set of imaginary numbers)
 SETS OF NUMBER TYPES

Symbol Description
Q Rational Numbers
The numbers you can make by dividing one integer by another (but not
dividing by zero). In other words fractions.

Q is for "quotient" (because R is used for the set of real numbers).

Examples: 3/2 (=1.5), 8/4 (=2), 136/100 (=1.36), -1/1000 (=-0.001)

(Q is from the Italian "Quoziente" meaning Quotient, the result of

dividing one number by another.)
 SETS OF NUMBER TYPES

Symbol Description
R Real Numbers
All Rational and Irrational numbers. They can also be positive,
negative or zero.
Includes the Algebraic Numbers and Transcendental Numbers.

A simple way to think about the Real Numbers is: any point anywhere
on the number line (not just the whole numbers).
Examples: 1.5, -12.3, 99, √2, π
 SETS OF NUMBER TYPES

Symbol Description
C Complex Numbers
A combination of a real and an imaginary number in the form a + bi,
where a and b are real, and i is imaginary.

The values a and b can be zero, so the set of real numbers and the set
of imaginary numbers are subsets of the set of complex numbers.

Examples: 1 + i, 2 - 6i, -5.2i, 4

THE EPSILON “∈”

We can indicate that an element is a member of a set using a set membership

symbol “∈”

∈ is read as “an element of”

For example
1 ∈ N is read as one is an element of Natural numbers or

one is a member of the set of Natural numbers

NEGATION ∉

We can also indicate that an element is not a member of a set using a negation

For example

½∉N
½ ∉ N is read as one half is not an element of Natural numbers or

one half is not a member of the set of Natural numbers

DEFINING A SET
WE DEFINE A SET BY SPECIFYING ALL ITS
MEMBERS

ROSTER METHOD

In this representation, elements are listed within the pair of brackets {} and are
separated by commas.

Below are two examples.

1. Let N is the set of natural numbers less than 5.

N = { 1 , 2 , 3, 4 }.
IMPORTANT NOTE

1. When listing elements in a set, it should be unique. No two members a set

should be the same.

2. For sets with large numbers of members an ellipsis can be used to indicate the
continuation of the members for example
 A = {1,2,3,4,…,100}

 N = {1,2,3,4,…}

 Z = {…,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,..}
WE DEFINE A SET BY STATING THE
PROPERTIES THAT ITS MEMBERS MUST
SATISFY

STATEMENT FORM
In this representation, the well-defined description of the elements of the set is
given. Below are some examples of the same.
1. A is set of all (x) even number less than 10. A = {x ∈ N | x = 2n, x < 10 }
2. A is set of the number less than 10 and more than 1. A = {x ∈ N | x > 1 and x < 10 }
IMPORTANT NOTE

 The Bracket “{}” is read as – “the set of all”

For example

A = { natural numbers less that 10 }

A is the set of all natural numbers less than ten
IMPORTANT NOTE

 The Bracket “{}” is read as – “the set of all”

For example

A = { natural numbers less that 10 }

A is the set of all natural numbers less than ten
WE DEFINE OR DESCRIBE A SET BY USING
RIGOROUS MATHEMATICAL NOTATION

Set builder form

In Set-builder set is described by a property that its member must satisfy.
FOR EXAMPLE

For example we use the letter “x” to represent a typical element of set A.
FOR EXAMPLE

In the bracket we write x

FOR EXAMPLE

In the bracket we write x followed by a bar sign “|” and then state the properties
that every element x must satisfy.
FOR EXAMPLE

In this case, every element must be a natural number and less than four.
IMPORTANT NOTE

The vertical bar “|” is read as – such that

For example

A = { x | x ∈ N, x < 4 }

A is the set of all elements x, such that x is a natural number and less than 4

You may see also colon “:” symbol instead of a bar but it is the same.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE
SET BUILDER NOTATION
A = { all element x | x ∈ Type of number, Conditions }
 BUILDING SETS (SYNTAX)

A = { x | x ∈ N, x < 4 }

All x
Such that

Type of number

Condition
PRACTICE

S = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

S = {x ∈ Z | x ≤ 5 }
EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
S is the set of all element x
EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
S is the set of all element x

Such That
EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
S is the set of all element x

Such That x is a member of

EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
S is the set of all element x

Such That x is a member of Integers

EXPLAIN

S = {x | x ∈ Z, x ≤ 5 }
S is the set of all element x

Such That x is a member Integers

Where (and) x is less than of equal to five

PRACTICE

S = {-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...}

S = {x |x ∈ Z, x ≥ -3}
Or
S = {x ∈ Z | x ≥ -3}
Set S is the set of all element x, such that x is a member of Integers,
and x is greater than or equal to -3
ACTIVITY: EXPRESS THE FOLLOWING SET
TO SET BUILDER NOTATION

1. B = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

2. S = {2, 4, 6, 8,...}

3. E = {5,6,7,8,9,10}