Sets: An Introduction

Complement of a Set
 Complement of a Set
The complement of a set A, written as A’,
is the set of all elements found in the
universal set, U, that are not found in set
A. The cardinality n(A’) = n(U) – n(A)
U
A

A’
 Example 1
Given U = {counting numbers less than 15},
X = {multiples of 3 that is less than
15}
Y = {odd numbers less than 15}
What is the complement of X?
U 14 2
X 1 Y
10 6 3 13
12 9 5 7
4 11 8
X’ = {1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14}
 Example 2
Using the given in example 1, find the
complement of Y.
U 14 2
10 X 3 Y
6 13
8 12 9 5 7
4 11

Y’ = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14}

 More Examples
1. Let U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, and
A = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}
A’ = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
2. Let U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, A = {2, 4} and
B = {1, 5}
A’ = {1, 3, 5}
B’ = {2, 3, 4}
A’  B’ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} = U
3. Let U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8},
A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {3, 4, 7, 8}.
A’ = {5, 6, 7, 8}
B’ = {1, 2, 5, 6}
A’  B’ = {5, 6}
4. Let U = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}, A = {5, 7, 9} and
B = {1, 5, 7, 9}
A  B = {5, 7, 9}
(A  B)’ = {1, 3}
 Activity
A. Shown in the table are names of students of a high school class
by sets according to the definition of each set.
A B C D
Like Singing Like Dancing Like Acting Don’t Like Any
Jasper Charmaine Jacky Billy
Faith Leby Jasper Ethan
Jacky Joel Ben Camille
Miguel Jezryl Joel Tina
After the survey has been completed, find the following sets.
Joel
1. U 4. (B  D)’
2. A  B’ 5. A’  B
3. A’  C

A
1. U = {Ben, Billy, Camille,
Charmaine, Ethan,
U
A Faith Charmaine
Solution
Faith, Jacky, Jasper, Leby B
Jezryl, Joel, Leby, Miguel, Miguel Joel Jezryl
Tina Jacky
2. A  B’ = {Faith, Miguel, Joel, Jasper
Jacky, Jasper, Ben, Billy, Billy
Ethan, Camille, Tina} Ben C Ethan
3. A ‘  C = {Jasper, Jacky, Camille Tina
Joel, Ben, Leby, Charmaine, Jezryl, Billy, Ethan, Camille, Tina}
4. (B  D)’ = {Faith, Miguel, Jacky, Jasper, Ben}
5. A’  B = {Leby, Charmaine, Jezryl}
 Quiz
True or False. If your answer is false, give the correct answer.
Let U = the set of the months of the year
X = {March, May, June, July, October}
Y = {January, June, July} Z = {September, October, November}
U X April 1. Z’ = {Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,
March May August May, June, July, Aug}
July Y 2. X’  Y’ = {June, July}
October June 3. X’  Z’ = {Jan, Feb, Mar,
Z Apr, May, Jun, July, Aug,
September January Sep, Nov, Dec}
November 4. (Y  Z)’ = {Feb, Mar, Apr,
December May}
February 5. Z’  Z = U
 Assignment
U = {a,b,c,d,e} A = {c,d,e}
B = {a,c,d}
Find the following:
1.B’
2.𝐴′ ∪ 𝐵′
3.𝐴′ ∩ 𝐵′
4.𝐴′ ∩ 𝐵
5.𝐴 ∩ 𝐵′