CHAPTER : 1 Sets and Operations

College Algebra

MODULE 1

1.1 Sets and Notation

A set is a specified collection or aggregate of objects of any sort. The terms class, Family, list,
aggregate, collection may be used synonymously wit set. We used capital letters A, B, C, X, Y, Z, etc.
to represent sets.

Examples A = the set of points in a given curve,

B = the set of letters in the English alphabet,
C = the set of positive integers less than 10.

In a set, each object is an element or a member. We write, x ∈ A or y ∉ B and read “x is an

element of set A” or “y is not an element of B”.

Note: Elements of sets B, C may be listed while the elements of set A cannot be listed.

Definition 1. A set is finite if the elements can be counted; otherwise the set is infinite.

Definition 2. The size of a set is the number of distinct elements in a set.

Examples
1) Set B in the examples above has 26 distinct elements in the set. Hence, its size is 26.
2) Set C has 9 elements. Hence, its size is 9.

1.2 Methods of Describing a Set:

* Roster method (tabular form). The elements in this method are enumerated or listed down or
tabulated and enclosed by braces.

Example
1) C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}, read “C is the set whose elements are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6”.

Notes: 1. This method is usually used for finite sets.

2. The order of enumerating the elements is immaterial.
3. In general, distinct letters are enumerated only once.
4. Denoting an infinite set by the roster method is imposable. However, when the elements are
understood, three dots are used to indicate the rest of the elements.

* Rule method (set-builder form). In this method, the set builder, the defining property which
describes every element of the set is given.

Example
1) D = {x/x is a point in a given curve} and read “D is the set of all x’s such that x is a
point in a given curve.”

Notes: 1. This method is usually used for infinite sets.

2. x is used to denote an element of the set and not the letter of the alphabet.

Definition 3. Null or empty set. A set with no element. It is denoted by {} or ϕ.

Example
1) The set of negative numbers greater than 0.

Definition 4. Set A is equal to set B, written A = B, iff every element of B is an element of A, i. e., A
and B have the same elements. In symbols, A = B ⇔ x ∈ A ⇒ y ∈ A and y ∈ B ⇒ y ∈ A.

Thus, we say A is a subset of B and B is a subset of A, A ⸦ B and B ⸧ A.

Example
1) Let A = {x/x is a counting number less than 6} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. Then A = B.

Definition 5. A one-to-one correspondence exists between two sets A and B iff by some rule each
distinct element of A can be associated or paired with one and only one distinct element of B.

Example
1) A = {a, b, c, d, e} B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}

Definition 6. Two sets A and B are of the same size if and only if there exists a one-to-one
correspondence between their elements.

Definition 7. Set A is a subset of a set B, written A ⊆ B, if and only if every element of A is an element
of B. In symbols, A ⊆ B ⇔ x ∈ A ⇒ x ∈ B.

Definition 8. Set A is a proper subset of set B, written A ⸦ B, iff A is subset of B and A is not equal to
B, or there exists at least one element in B which is not in A, i. e., A ⸦ B ⇔ A ⊆ B and A ≠ B.

Examples
1) Let A = {a, b, c} and B = {a, b, c, d}, then A ⸦ B.
2) Let A = {a, b, c} and B = {c, b, a}, then A ⊆ B.

Notes: 1. A ⊆ A or any set is a subset of itself.

2. ϕ ⊆ A or an empty set is a subset of any set.

Definition 9. The universal set, denoted by U, is the set containing the totality of elements being
considered. In symbols, U = {x/x = x}

Example
1) Let A = {a, e, i, o, u}, B = {b, c, j}, and C = {x/x is a consonant in the English
alphabet}. Then, the universal set U = {x/x is a letter in the English alphabet.}

1.3 Venn Diagram

−a geometric representation of relationships among sets with respect to the universal set. It is
named after the English logician James Venn (1834 − 1883).
We describe a set by a curve, such as circles; and the universal set U is usually represented as a
rectangular area.

Example
1) Let U = the set of counting numbers less than 20
A = {x/x is an even counting number less than 12}
B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}
C = {5, 10, 15}

The Venn diagram for these sets is shown below.

1.4 Operations on Sets

* The complement of a set A is the set of all elements which belong to a given universal set U
but do not belong to set A, denoted by A'. We write , A' = {x/x ∈ U and x ∉ A}.

Example
1) Let U = the set of counting numbers less than 20
A = {x/x is an even counting number less than 12}
B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}
and C = {5, 10, 15}

Then, A' = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19}
B' = {1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19}
C' = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19}

Using the Venn diagram, the complement of set A is illustrated as the shaded region.

*The union of two sets A and B, denoted by A∪B, is the set of all elements which belong to A or
B. In symbol, A∪B = {x/x ∈ A or x ∈ B}.

Example
1) Let A = {x/x is an even counting number less than 12}
B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}
Then, A∪B = {2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15}.

Using the Venn diagram, the union of any two sets A and B is illustrated as the shaded region.
 *The intersection of two sets A and B, denoted by A∩B, is the set of all elements which belong
to A and also belong to B. In symbol, A∩B = {x/x ∈ A and x ∈ B}.

Example
1) Let A = {x/x is an even counting number less than 12}
B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}
Then, A∩B = {4}.

Using the Venn diagram, the intersection of any two sets A and B is the shaded portion.

*Two sets A and B are said to be disjoint or mutually exclusive or non-intersecting if and only
if they have no common elements.

Example
1) Let A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} and B = {−2, −4, −6, −8, −10}. Then, A and B are disjoint sets.

Note: A and B are disjoint if and only if A∩B = ϕ

In the Venn diagram, A and B are disjoint.

Reference: Modern Algebra

Madeleine S. Caras, Ma. Carmelita A Batacan, Antonia C. Sta. Maria, Lorina G. Salamat, Irene R.
Gumboc