Set notation and Venn
diagrams
@ Sets
A set is a well defined group of objects or symbols. The objects
‘or symbols are called the elements of the set. If an element ¢
belongs to a set S, this is represented ase € S. Ife does not
belong to set S this is represented ase ¢ S.
Worked examples) A particular set consists of the following elements:
{South Africa, Namibia, Egypt, Angola, ...)
i) Describe the set.
The elements of the set are countries of Africa,
ii) Add another two elements to the set
eg, Zimbabwe, Ghana
iii) Is the set finite or infinite?
Finite. There is a finite number of countries in Africa.
b) Consider the set A = fx: is a natural number}
i) Describe the set,
The elements of the set are the natural numbers.
ii) Write down two elements of the set.
eg. 3and 15
©) Consider the set B= {(x,y):y = 2x - 4]
i) Describe the set.
‘The elements of the set are the coordinates of points
found on the straight line with equation y = 2x ~ 4,
ii) Write down two clements of the sct.
e.g. (0, ~4) and (10, 16)
@) Consider the set C = |: 2