Sets and Logic
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Sets and Logic



Set:

Any collection of objects that have a common characteristic. Examples:

{A}={red,blue,green,violet}
{B}={2,4,6,8}
{C}={W,X,Y,Z}

You use {bracets} when expressing a set!

Subset:

Each item of the set is called a subset or an element of the set. Examples:

{A}={red} {blue} {green} {violet} {red,blue} {red violet} etc.

*To determine the number of subsets, count the number of elements in the set. That number is the exponent in the equation 2^X. In example {A} there are 4 colors(2^4=16). Therefore, there are 16 subsets of set {A}.

*In the list of subsets, the NULL SET is ALWAYS included. You can write the null set with empty bracets, {}, or as Ø.

* The notation for an element of a set is :
* The notation for when it is not an element of a set is :
* The notation for a subset is :

* EVERY SUBSET IS A SUBSET OF ITSELF!!!

Proper Subsets:

If a set is a subset of a different set but is not the exact same set, then it is called a proper subset.

*The notation of a proper subset is:
*The notation when it is not a proper subset is:

To express the number of elements in a set we write: n(A)."n" is for "number" and "(A)" describes the set in question.

A "Finite" set has a countable number of elements. An "Infinite" set has an uncountable number of elements. For example:

N={natural numbers}

Z={integers}

R={real numbers}

Q={rational numbers}

Intersection:

When two different sets share common elements, it is called an intersection. We write this as "", meaning intersection of. For example:

A_B= A "intersection" B

A={1,2,3,4}

B={2,4,6,8}

A_B={2,4}

Union:

A union combines the elements of two sets. We write this as "U". For example:

A U B = A "union" B

A={1,2,3,4}

B={2,4}

A U B = {1,2,3,4}

* The equation for the number of elements in a union is: n(AUB)=n(A)+n(B)-n(A_B)

* To express a specific set we use set builder notation. It is a format or template to describe the set in which to analyze, solve, etc.

{x|xEN, 6< x < 12}

The first "x" represents the variable. The second part uses the "|" symbol which stands for "such that". The rest of the notation informs you of the conditions or requirements of the variable.

Click on the following links to learn more about Sets and Logic or to find out about the IB Math Studies Homepage!!