Representation of Sets

We can use the following two methods to represent a set. 

(i) Listing Method In this method, elements are listed and put within a braces { } and separated by commas. 

This method is also known as Tabular method or Roster method. 

e.g., A = Set of all prime numbers less than 11 = {2, 3, 5, 7}   

(ii) Set Builder Method In this method, instead of listing all elements of a set, we list the property or properties satisfied by the elements of set and write it as 

A = {x : P(x)} or {x | P(x)}  

It is read as “A is the set of all elements x such that x has the property P x( ).” The symbol ‘:’ or ‘|’ stands for such that. 

This method is also known as Rule method or Property method. 

e.g., A = {1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,8 } = {x : x $\in$ N and $\leq$ 8} 

Note 

  • The order of elements in a set has no importance e.g., {1, 2, 3} and {3, 1, 2} are same sets. 
  • The repetition of elements in a set does not effect the set, e.g., {1, 2, 3} and {1, 1, 2, 3} both are same sets.

Notation of Some Standard Sets

(i) Set of all natural numbers, N = {1 ,2 ,3 , . . .}  
(ii) Set of all whole numbers, W = {0 ,1 ,2 ,3 , . . .} 
(iii) (a) Set of all integers, I or Z = {. . . , -2, -1 ,0 ,1 ,2 , . . .} 

(b) Set of all positive or negative integers, 

$I^+$ = {1 ,2 ,3 , . . . $\infty$} or $I^-$ = {-1 ,-2 ,-3 , . . . $\infty$} 

(c) Set of all even (E) or odd (O) integers, 

E = {. . . , -4, -2 ,0 ,2 ,4 , . . .} or O = {. . . , -3, -1 , 0, 1, 3, . . .}  

(iv) (a) Set of all rational numbers, 

Q = {p/q , where p and q are integers and q $\neq$ 0} 

(b) Set of all irrational numbers, IR = {which cannot be p and I $\in$ I , q $\neq$ 0} 

(c) Set of all real numbers, 

R = {x: -$\infty$ < x < $\infty$}

(v) Set of all complex numbers, 

C = {a + ib}, a, b $\in$ R and i = $\sqrt{-1}$

Sample Problem 1:  

(1) Let P be the collection of all prime numbers. Then it can be represented in the set builder form as 

P = {x |x is a prime number}

(2) Let X be the set of all even positive integers which are less than 15. Then 

X = {x |x is even integer and 0 < x < 15} 

X = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14}

(3) Let X be the set given above in (2) and

Y = {y|y = 0 or $\frac{1}{y}$ $\in$ X} 

then

Y = {0, 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/10, 1/12, 1/14} 


Sample Problem 2: [NCERT] 

 The builder form of following set is A = {3 ,6 ,9 ,12}, B = {1, 4, 9, 100..., } 

(a) A = {x :x = 3n, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 5},
B = {x :x = $n^2$, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 10},

(b) A = {x :x = 3n, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 4},
B = {x :x = $n^2$, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 10},

(c) A = {x :x = 3n, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 5},
B = {x :x = $n^2$, n $\in$ N and 1< n < 10},

(d) None of the above 

Answer:

(b) Given A = {3 ,6 ,9 ,12} = {x :x = 3n, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 4}, 

and B = {1, 4, 9, 100..., } = {x :x = $n^2$, n $\in$ N and 1 $\leq$ n $\leq$ 10}

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