Listing Elements of Sets

Front

What is a set?

Back

A set is a collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right. For example, the set of whole numbers from 1 to 12 is written as U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}.

Front

What are elements of a set?

Back

Elements are the individual objects or members that make up a set. For example, in the set A = {3, 6, 9, 12}, the elements are 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Front

How do you list the elements of a set?

Back

To list the elements of a set, write them inside curly brackets, separated by commas. For example, the elements of set B (factors of 12) are written as B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12}.

Front

What is a universal set?

Back

A universal set is the set that contains all possible elements for a particular discussion or problem. For example, U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12} is the universal set of whole numbers from 1 to 12.

Front

What are multiples of a number?

Back

Multiples of a number are the results of multiplying that number by integers. For example, the multiples of 3 are {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ...}.

Front

What are factors of a number?

Back

Factors of a number are the integers that can be multiplied together to produce that number. For example, the factors of 12 are {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12}.

Front

What does the symbol ∈ mean?

Back

The symbol ∈ means 'is an element of'. For example, if we say 3 ∈ A, it means that 3 is an element of set A.

Front

What does the symbol ⊂ mean?

Back

The symbol ⊂ means 'is a subset of'. For example, if A ⊂ B, it means that all elements of set A are also elements of set B.

Front

What does the symbol ⊃ mean?

Back

The symbol ⊃ means 'is a superset of'. For example, if B ⊃ A, it means that set B contains all elements of set A.

Front

How do you identify a subset?

Back

A subset is identified by checking if all elements of one set are contained within another set. For example, if A = {1, 2} and B = {1, 2, 3}, then A is a subset of B.