MAT406

CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS

1.1 Review on Number System
CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS

1.1 Review on Number System

Everyday numbers can be classified into sets. In this lesson, we'll look at some of the most
common number sets and a few of their characteristics.

Sets
What is a set? Well, simply put, it's a collection. When we define a set, we must specify a
common characteristic.
Notation Method
There is a simple notation for sets. We simply list each element (or "member") separated by a
comma, and then put some curly brackets around the whole thing:
The curly brackets { } are called “set brackets” or “braces”.
Examples:
Set of even numbers, D= {..., −4, −2, 0, 2, 4, ...}
Set of odd numbers, K={..., −3, −1, 1, 3, ...}
Set of prime numbers, S= {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, ...}

Set-Builder Notation
Another method to write a set by saying what properties its members have.
Example:
D=

this is read as “D is the set of all x, such that x is greater than 0”. (In other word any value
greater than 0)
Subsets
“take pieces of that set”
Example: B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and A= {1, 2, 3}
⇒A is a subset of B, write
* If A is not a subset of B, write
 MAT406
CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS
1.1 Review on Number System

Classification of Numbers
1. NATURAL NUMBER, N – for counting things or object.
N = {1,2,3, …}
2. WHOLE NUMBER, W – natural numbers together with 0.
W = {0,1,2,3, …}
3. INTEGER NUMBER, Z – the negative natural numbers together with 0 and the naturals
numbers.
Z = {…,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3, …}
4. RATIONAL NUMBER, Q numbers which can be expressed as a ratio between two integers
(fraction form).
Q = Rational number = {p/q; p,q≠ 0 are integers}

- repeating:
- terminating:
5. IRRATIONAL NUMBER – number that cannot be written as a ratio (or fraction). In decimal
form, it never ends or repeats.
I = {cannot be written as p/q}
6. Real numbers, R – the set of numbers containing all of the rational numbers and all of the
irrational numbers.

7. Complex numbers,C – the set {a+bi ; a and b are real, i = √−1}. i = √−1 is Imaginary
number.
 MAT406
CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS
1.1 Review on Number System
The Real Number Line
Represented geometrically by points on a straight line.
A point is chosen on the line to be the "origin". Points to the right are positive, and points to the
left are negative.

Intervals of real numbers

Given any two real numbers a and b, the three possibilities are

𝑎=𝑏 a is equal to b
𝑎>𝑏 a is greater than b
𝑎<𝑏 a is less than b

Interval Notation
The conventions of interval notation:
• The smallest term from the interval is written first.
• The largest term in the interval is written second, following a comma.
• Parentheses, (), are used to signify that an endpoint is not included, called exclusive.
• Brackets, [], are used to indicate that an endpoint is included, called inclusive.
 MAT406
CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS
1.1 Review on Number System
Finite intervals
a and b are real numbers,
*the points a and b are called the end point of the interval.

Interval
Inequality Number line Examples
notation

1<𝑥<4
i) Open interval from a to b 𝑎<𝑥<𝑏

1<𝑥<4
ii) Closed interval from a to b 𝑎≤𝑥≤𝑏

iii) Half-open / Half-closed 1<𝑥<4

𝑎<𝑥≤𝑏
interval from a to b

iv) Half-open interval from a 1<𝑥<4

𝑎≤𝑥<𝑏
to b
 MAT406
CHAPTER 1: ALGEBRAIC TOPICS
1.1 Review on Number System
Infinite interval