BASIC SET

THEORY
 SET THEORY
Set theory is branch of mathematics that deals with the
properties of well-defined collections of objects -may or may
not be of a mathematical nature, such as numbers or functions.
The theory is less valuable in direct application to ordinary
experience than as a basis for precise and adaptable
terminology for the definition of complex and sophisticated
mathematical concepts.
 In Mathematics, a SET is a term that describes
the collection of distinct objects or items that have
something in common. A set is “WELL-
DEFINED” collection of distinct objects. The
individual objects in a set are called MEMBERS
or ELEMENTS.
 It means that it must be
Well-defined absolutely clear that which
object belongs to the set and
which does not.
Tell whether or not the given collection is well-defined.
1. A collection of beautiful women
The collection is not well- defined

2. A collection of Harry Potter Books

The collection is well- defined
 Between the years 1874 and 1897, the German
mathematician and logician Georg Cantor created a
theory of abstract sets of entities and made it into a
mathematical discipline. This theory grew out of his
investigations of some concrete problems regarding
certain types of infinite sets of real numbers. A set,
wrote Cantor, is a collection of definite, distinguishable
objects of perception or thought conceived as a whole.
The objects are called elements or members of the set.
• A set is a structure, representing an unordered collection (group,
plurality) of zero or more distinct (different) objects.
• Set theory deals with operations between, relations among, and
statements about sets.

Basic notations for sets

 Basic notations for sets
• For sets, we’ll use variables S, T, U, …
• We can denote a set S in writing by listing all of its elements
in curly braces:
– {a, b, c} is the set of whatever 3 objects are denoted by a, b, c.
• Set builder notation: For any proposition P(x) over any
universe of discourse, {x|P(x)} is the set of all x such that
P(x).
e.g., {x | x is an integer where x>0 and x<5 }
 Definition of Set Equality
• Two sets are declared to be equal if and only if they contain
exactly the same elements.
• In particular, it does not matter how the set is defined or
denoted.
• For example: The set {1, 2, 3, 4} =
{x | x is an integer where x>0 and x<5 } =
{x | x is a positive integer whose square
is >0 and <25}
 Infinite Sets
• Conceptually, sets may be infinite (i.e., not finite, without
end, unending).
• Symbols for some special infinite sets:
N = {0, 1, 2, …} The natural numbers.
Z = {…, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …} The integers.
R = The “real” numbers
• Infinite sets come in different sizes!
Ways of Describing Sets

• List the elements

A= 1,2,3,4,5,6
Give a verbal description
“A is the set of all integers from 1 to 6,
inclusive”
Give a mathematical inclusion rule

A= Integers x 1  x  6