Business Mathematics: MGT 1123 & BPM 1133

Chapter 01

Set Theory

Ms. S.Thevaka
Lecturer (Prob.) in Applied Mathematics & Computing
Faculty of Business Studies
Vavuniya Campus
 Contents
1. Importants of sets in the Business World
2. Vocabulary on Set Theory
3. Ways of Describing Sets
4. Pictorical repreentation of Sets: Venn Diagrams
5. Set Operations
6. Laws of Set Algebra
7. Application of Set Theory
8. Home Assignment
 1. Importants of sets in the
Business World
Basic understanding of concepts in sets and set algebra
provides a form of logical language through which
business specialists can communicate important concepts
and ideas.

Set algebra is used in solving counting problems of a

logical nature.

The study of set algebra provides a solid background to

understanding of probability and statistics, which are
important business decision-making tools
*Make sure you leave a few empty line under each word & definition to
provide examples and/or illustrations

2.Vocabulary
is any well defined collection of “objects.”
A set

The elements of a set are the objects in a set.

Subsets consists of elements from the given set.

Empty set/Null set is the set that contains no elements.

Universal set is the set of all possible elements.

 3.Ways of Describing Sets
Meaning of a Set- It is any well defined collection
of “objects.”
Example- “A is the set of all integers from 1 to 6,
inclusive”

Give a mathematical notation

A= 1,2,3,4,5,6
Here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are elements of the set A.
3.1Some Special Sets

The Null Set or Empty Set. This is a set with no

elements, often symbolized by

 or {}
The Universal Set. This is the set of all elements
currently under consideration, and is often
symbolized by
U
3.1.1 Empty Set

This is a set with no elements. It is denoted

by the notation;  or {} where  is the
phi.

Example:
The set of dogs with six legs.
The set of squares with 5 sides.

Set Notation  = { }.
3.1.2 Universal Set

The universal set is the set of all things pertinent

to a given discussion
and is designated by the symbol U
Example:
U = {all students at Vavuniya Campus}
All possible Subsets:
A = {all students at FBS}
B = {all students at FAS}
Set notation: U = {A, B}
 3.2 Find the Subsets
Example: What are all the subsets of {3, 4, 5}
Solution: {} or Ø
{3}, {4}, {5}
{3,4}, {3,5}, {4,5}
{3,4,5}

Practice: Write the all possible subsets to the following sets;

 A = {red, blue}
 A = {a, b, c, d}
 A = {0 ,1}
4.Pictorical repreentation of Sets:
Venn Diagrams
Venn diagrams show relationships between
sets and their elements
Sets A & B

Universal Set

5 8 2 4
1 3
4.1 Example
Set Definition
U= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
 5.Set Operations
These consist of ways or operations whereby sets
are combined in order to obtain other sets of
interest.

This gives rise to set algebra. The operations are

union, intersection, complement and difference.
5.1 Combining Sets – Set Union

A B
“A union B” is the set of all elements that
are in A, or B, or both.

This is similar to the logical “or” operator.

5.1.1Venn Diagram

This is a two-circle
Venn diagram. The
green circle is A, and
the blue circle is B.
The complete Venn
diagram represents the
union of A and B, or A
∪ B.
 5.1.2 Practice

Let P = {b, d, f, g, h},

M = {a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j}.

Find the following;

• PÈM
• PÈN
• PÈMÈN
5.2 Combining Sets – Set Intersection

A B
“A intersect B” is the set of all elements that
are in both A and B.
This is similar to the logical “and”
5.2.1Venn Diagrams
 5.2.1 Practice

Let A = {1,2,3,4,5}, B={1,3,5} and

C={2,3,5}.

Find the following;

• AÇB
• BÇC
• AÇBÇC
 5.3 Set Complement

A or A′
“A complement,” or “not A” is the set of all
elements not in A.

*What the others have that you don’t*

 5.3.1 Practice

Types of color
U
black

purple A red

white blue green

Universal set U =
What is the complement of set A?
 5.3.2 More Practice
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} is the universal set and
A = {2, 3}. What is A′?

U = {a, b} is the universal set and

T = {a}. What is T′?

U = {+, -, x, ÷, =} is the universal set and

A = {÷, =}. What is A′?
 5.4 Set Difference

The set difference is defined by

Example: Let P = {1, 3, 2} Q = {1, 3, 5, 6}

• P – Q Consists of elements in P but not Q.
Then P – Q = {2}.
• Q – P Consists of elements in Q but not P.
Then Q – P = {5, 6}.
5.4.1 Venn diagram
 6.Laws of Set Algebra

CommutativityA U B = BUA
AB= BA

(A U B) U C = A U (B U C)
Associativity
(A  B)  C = A  (B  C)

A U (B  C) = (A U B)  (A U C)
Distributivity
A  (B U C) = (A  B) U (A  C)

24
Laws cont....

Identity AU=A
AU=A

Domination A  U = U
A=A

A
Idempotent A=A
AA=A

25
 Laws cont...

Complement AA=U
Laws
AA=

Double complement
A=A

26
 Laws cont...

DeMorgan’s I (A U B) = A  B

DeMorgan’s II (A  B) = A U B
Proof by
“diagram”
(useful!), but
we aim for a
A B more formal
proof.

27
 7.Application of Set Theory
Example:
In a group of students, 65 play foot ball, 45 play hockey, 42
play cricket, 20 play foot ball and hockey, 25 play foot ball
and cricket, 15 play hockey and cricket and 8 play all the
three games.

Solution:
Let F, H and C represent the set of students who play foot
ball, hockey and cricket respectively.
Application cont...
Venn diagram related to the above situation:
Application cont...

No. of students who play foot ball = 65

No. of students who play foot ball only = 28
No. of students who play both foot ball & hockey = 20
No. of students who play both (foot ball & hockey) only =
12
No. of students who play both hockey & cricket = 15
No. of students who play both (hockey & cricket) only = 7
No. of students who play both (foot ball and cricket) only
= 17
No. of students who play all the three games = 8
7.1 Exercise:
1. Based on the diagram, what is the total number of
students who did participate in volleyball?

ll Ba
e ba sk
Bas etb
15 9 11 all

6
5 4

12

Volleyball
 8. Home Assignment

 Develop/Create a book explaining all four Vocabulary words

from the SET THEORY topic (Union, Intersection, Complement,
Difference).

 Use a self-created example for each concept.

 Practice the assignment as a group of elementary students for

learning better through utilizing images/drawings.