- Universal set:
This is a set that contains all the other sets. It is represented by the symbol U or Є. Example:
Є= (x:x all the students in form1)
U= (x:x all the people living in bepanda)
- Complement of a set:
The complement of a set is the set of element not found in a set but found in the universal set. The complement of a set is represented either by a small apostrophe (A‘) or a small letter (Ac or Ac) on the set of letters. Example:
Given that Є= (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and B= (2, 4, 6), find B’ or Bc
Solution: B’= (1, 3, 5)
- Finite set:
A set is said to be finite if it has an end or a limit. Example;
A= (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), while an infinite set: is said to be infinite because it has no end or limit. Example; A= (1, 2, 3, 4, 5-----)
- Equivalent set:
Two or more sets are equivalent if they both have the same cardinal number. Example:
Given the sets A= (1, 2, 3, 4) and B= (a, b, c, d), then the set A is equivalent to B since; n(A)= n(B)= 4
We use the symbol ≡ to represent equivalence. That is A≡B
- Unit set:
A unit set is one with only one element or a cardinal number. For example; A= (9), B= (6)
All of the above are unit sets with cardinal number 1.
- Sets of numbers:
N= (natural numbers= 1, 2, 3, 4, ----)
Z= (integers= ---- -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ----)
Q= (rational numbers= ½, 2/3, ¾, ----)
R= (real numbers= 0, 1, 2, 3------)