1.

1 Introduction to
Set Notations

In everyday life, we often encounter a collection of objects such as a pile of books,

AT
a bunch of keys, a team of players and a school of dolphins. In English, we use TE
NTI
ON
different terms such as ‘pile’, ‘bunch’ and ‘team’ to describe different collections of
objects. ‘Alphabet’ refers to the whole set
of ‘letters’. By convention, we
In Mathematics, we use the term ‘set’ to describe any collection of well-defined and use capital letters to denote a set,
e.g. S, and small letters to denote
distinct objects. the elements in a set, e.g. a.
Sometimes, the elements can be
For example, if we let S be the set of all the vowels in the English alphabet, we can in capital letters.
list all the members or the elements of S in set notation S = {a, e, i, o, u}.

Since the letter ‘a’ is an element of S, we write: a ∈ S

Since the letter ‘b’ is not an element of S, we write: b ∉S
Since there are 5 elements in S, we write n(S) = 5

∈ denotes ‘is an element of’,

∉ denotes ‘is not an element of’, and
n(S) denotes ‘the number of elements in the set S.

PRACTISE NOW SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

1. A is the set of even positive integers less than 10. Exercise 1A Questions 1, 4-5, 9

(a) List all the elements of A in set notation.

(b) State whether each of the following statements is true or false.
(i) 8 ∈ A (ii) 7 ∉ A
(iii) 10 ∈ A (iv) 0 ∉ A
(c) Using the notation ∈ or ∉, describe whether each of the following numbers
is an element of, or is not an element of, A. INF
OR
(i) 2 (ii) 5 (iii) 9 (iv) 6 MA
TIO N

The set of all positive multiples of

2. Given that B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …, 30}, find the value of n(B). 3, i.e. {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …}, contains
an infinite number of elements,
and it is called an infinite set.
Sets A and B are finite sets.

003 Chapter 1 Sets

 Class
Discussion
Well-defined and Distinct Objects in a Set
Work in pairs.

1. Let H be a collection of all the handsome boys in the class. Is H a set?

Hint: A set is a collection of well-defined objects. Is H well-defined?
2. Let T be a collection of 2 identical pens. How should we list the elements of T?
{P, P}, {P} or {P1, P2}?
Hint: How many elements does T have? A set is a collection of distinct objects.
Are the elements in {P, P} distinct?
3. Let S be the set of letters in the word ‘CLEVER’. How should we list the elements?
Hint: Is the letter ‘E’ distinct?

In general, a set is not any collection of objects. The objects in a set must be AT
TE
NTI
well-defined and distinct. ON

In the above class discussion, we cannot write T = {P, P} because the elements in Although the 2 pens are identical,
they are still distinct.
{P, P} are not distinct. As there are 2 distinct elements in the set T (the 2 identical pens
are distinct), we have to write T = {P1, P2}. To understand this, consider a
pair of identical twins, Ethan
However, in Question 3 of the class discussion, the letter ‘E’ is not distinct in the word and Michael. Ethan and Michael
‘CLEVER’ because it is the same letter ‘E’ that is used to form the word. Therefore, are identical. However, Ethan
is not Michael, and Michael is
S = {C, L, E, V, R}. not Ethan, i.e. each of them is
distinct.

Describing a Set
There are a few ways to describe a set.
1. Describing a set in words, e.g. S is the set of all positive even integers less
than 10.
2. Listing all the elements in a set in set notation, e.g. S = {2, 4, 6, 8}.
3. Describing the elements in a set in set notation, e.g.
S = {x : x is a positive even integer less than 10}.

We read this as ‘x is such

that x is a positive even
integer less than 10.‘

Sets Chapter 1 004

Worked
Example 1 (Listing the Elements in a Set in Set Notation)
It is given that A = {x : x is a positive integer such that
2  x  11} and B = {x : x is a positive integer between 3
and 11 inclusive}.
(i) List all the elements in A and in B in set notation.
(ii) Do A and B contain the same elements? If not,
explain why.

P
So roblem
lvin
Solution: g T
ip

(i) A = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} If an integer is between 3 and 11,

the integer cannot be equal to 3
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11} or 11.

(ii) No. 2 ∈ A but 2 ∉ B. If an integer is between 3 and 11

inclusive, the integer can be 3 or
11.

PRACTISE NOW 1 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

It is given that C = {x : x is a positive integer between 10 and 18} Exercise 1A Questions 2(a)-(d),
6(a)-(d), 7(a)-(d), 10(a)-(d)
and D = {x : x is a positive integer such that 10  x  18}.
(i) List all the elements in C and in D in set notation.
(ii) Do C and D contain the same elements? If not, explain why.

INF
OR
Equal Sets MA
TIO N

Two sets A and B are equal if they contain exactly the same elements, and By convention, we should list the
elements
we write A = B. For example, if A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {2, 4, 1, 3}, then all
(i) in ascending order for
the elements of A and of B are the same, i.e. A = B, although the order of the numbers,
elements are different in A and in B. (ii) in alphabetical order for
letters, or
We also notice that if A = B, then n(A) = n(B).
(iii) according to the given order.

E.g. if S is the set of letters in

the word ‘MATH’, listing the
elements according to the given
order is often clearer and more
convenient: S = {M, A, T, H}.

005 Chapter 1 Sets

 Thinking
Time
If A and B are two sets such that n(A) = n(B), is A = B? If not, give a counter-example.

Empty Sets
Consider the sets A = {0, 1, 2}, B = {0} and C = { }.
INF
The set A contains 3 elements: 0, 1 and 2. OR
MA
TIO N
The set B contains 1 element: 0.
The set C does not contain any elements. The set {Ø} is not an empty set. It
is a set containing one element:
In other words, C is called an empty set (or a null set). the symbol Ø.
We use the symbol Ø (pronounced as ‘phi’) to describe an empty set, i.e. C = Ø.

Worked
2
(Equal Sets and Empty Sets)

Example It is given that

A is the set of vowels in the word ’RHYTHM’
and B = {H}.
(i) List all the elements of A in set notation.
(ii) Are A and B equal sets? Why?

Solution:
(i) A = { }
(ii) A and B are not equal sets, as A is an empty set, i.e. it has no elements while
B consists of one element, H.

PRACTISE NOW 2 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

It is given that P = {x : x is a positive integer less than 1} and Q = {0}. Exercise 1A Questions 3(a)-(d),
8, 11
(i) List all the elements of P in set notation.
(ii) Are P and Q equal sets? Why?

Sets Chapter 1 006

 Exercise
1A

1. B is the set of odd positive integers less than 11. 4. D is the set of days in a week.
(a) List all the elements of B in set notation. (a) List all the elements of D in set notation.
(b) Using the notation ∈ or ∉, describe whether
(b) State whether each of the following statements
each of the following is an element of, or is
is true or false.
not an element of D.
(i) 1 ∈ B (ii) 4 ∉ B
(i) Tuesday (ii) Sunday
(iii) 0 ∈ B (iv) 11 ∉ B (iii) March (iv) Holiday

2. List all the elements in each of the following sets 5. P is the set of all perfect squares bigger than 1 and
in set notation. less than 50.
(a) A = {x : x is a positive integer between 1 and (i) Is 10 ∈P?
10} (ii) List all the elements of P in set notation.
(b) B = {x : x is a negative integer between –10 and
–1 inclusive} 6. List all the elements in each of the following sets
in set notation.
(c) C = {x : x is a positive even integer such that
(a) I = {x : x is a colour of the rainbow}
–2  x  12}
(b) J = {x : x is a public holiday in Singapore}
(d) D is the set of vowels in the word ‘HAPPY’.
(c) K is the set of consonants in the word
‘SYMMETRY.
3. List all the elements in each of the following sets in
set notation, and state whether it is an empty set. (d) L = {x : x is a teacher teaching my current
class}
(a) E is the set of odd numbers that are divisible
by 2.
7. Describe each of the following sets in words.
(b) F = {x : x is a month of the year with more than (a) M = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8, …}
31 days}
(b) N = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}
(c) G is the set of quadrilaterals with 5 vertices (c) O = {1, 8, 27, 64, 125, …}
each.
(d) P = {…, –15, –10, –5, 0, 5, 10, 15, …}
(d) H = {x : x is an even prime number}
8. It is given that
Q = {x : x is a perfect square between 10 and 15}
and R = {x : x is a positive integer less than 5 that is
both a perfect square and a perfect cube}.
(i) List all the elements of Q and of R in set
notation.
(ii) Are Q and R empty sets? Use the notation
Ø to describe Q and R.

007 Chapter 1 Sets

9. State whether each of the following statements is 11. State whether each of the following statements is
true or false. If it is false, explain why. true or false. If it is false, explain why.
(i) c ∉ {c, a, r} (ii) car ∈ {c, a, r} (i) {0} = Ø (ii) Ø = { }
(iii) {c} ∈ {c, a, r} (iv) {c, a, r} = 3 (iii) {Ø} is an empty set. (iv) n(Ø) = 0

10. Describe the elements of each of the following sets

in set notation.
(a) S is the set of girls in my current class who
wear spectacles.
(b) T = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, …}
(c) U = {…, –8, –4, 0, 4, 8, 12, …}
(d) V = {–8, –4, 0, 4, 8, 12}

Venn Diagrams,

1.2 Universal Set and

Complement of a Set

We can represent a set using a Venn diagram as shown in Fig. 1.1.


A AT
1 4 TE
NTI
ON
2
3 5 When drawing a Venn diagram,
• do not put commas between
the elements,
Fig. 1.1 • do not write the elements too
close together,
In Fig. 1.1, the rectangle represents the set of all the elements that are under
• write the elements inside the
consideration for this particular situation, i.e. {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. This is called the universal set, but label the set ξ or the
set and is denoted by the symbol ξ, i.e. ξ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. set A outside the set (i.e.
outside the rectangle or the
The circle represents the set A = {1, 2, 3}. circle respectively).

We observe that the elements 4 and 5 are outside the circle but inside the rectangle,
i.e. 4 ∉A and 5 ∉A. The set of all the elements in ξ but not in A is called the
complement of the set A, and is denoted by A (pronounced as ‘A prime’),
i.e. A = {4, 5}.

Sets Chapter 1 008

Worked
Example 3 (Universal Set and Complement of a Set)
It is given that ξ = {x : x is an integer between 1 and 10
inclusive} and A = {x : x is a perfect square}.
(i) List all the elements of ξ and of A in set notation.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ and A.
(iii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements of A in
set notation.
(iv) Describe the set A in words.
(v) State the values of n(ξ), n(A) and n(A).
(vi) Is n(A) + n(A) = n(ξ)? Why or why not?

Solution: P
So roblem
lvin
(i) ξ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} g T
ip
A = {1, 4, 9}
The set A does not contain all the
perfect squares because all the
(ii) elements under consideration for

A 2 3 this particular situation are only
1 5 6
the integers between 1 and 10
4 inclusive.
9 7 8
10

(iii) A = {2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10}

(iv) A is the set of all integers between 1 and 10 inclusive which are not perfect
squares.

(v) n(ξ) = 10, n(A) = 3 and n(A) = 7

(vi) Yes. Since A and A contain all the elements of ξ, and A and A do not contain the
same elements, n(A) + n(A) = n(ξ).

PRACTISE NOW 3 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

It is given that ξ = {x : x is an integer between 1 and 13 inclusive}, Exercise 1B Questions 1-2, 5-6,
10
and B = {x : x is a prime number}.
(i) List all the elements of ξ and of B in set notation.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ and B.
(iii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements of B in set notation.
(iv) Describe the set B in words.

009 Chapter 1 Sets

 Thinking
Time
Given that A = {1, 2, 3}, can we find A if we do not define what the universal set ξ is?

Proper subsets
Consider the sets A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and B = {1, 2, 3}.
How can we draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A and B?
Since all the elements in a set are distinct (i.e. we cannot write the same element
twice or more), we can draw the Venn diagram as shown in Fig. 1.2.

B 1 4
2
3
5

INF
OR
Fig. 1.2 MA
TIO N

We observe that B is completely inside A, i.e. every element of B is an element If B is a subset of A, then B can
be a proper subset of A, or B = A.
of A, and B ≠ A. We say that B is a proper subset of A and we write B  A.

Class
Discussion
Understanding Subsets
Work in pairs.
1. Is a subset also a set?
2. In the Venn diagram shown in Fig 1.3, is P a subset of Q or vice versa?

P Q
x p q
y
z r

Fig. 1.3

Sets Chapter 1 010

Worked
4
(Subsets)
It is given that X is the set of letters in the word
Example ‘SINGAPORE’ and Y is the set of letters in the word
‘PINS’}.
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets X and Y.
(ii) Is Y a subset of X? Explain.

Solution:
(i)
X
Y
G A
P I
O R
N S
E

(ii) Yes, Y is a proper subset of X because every element of Y is an element of X, and

Y ≠ X.

PRACTISE NOW 4 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

1. It is given that C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7} and D = {1, 3, 5, 7}. Exercise 1B Questions 3-4, 7, 8

(i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets C and D.

(ii) Is D a proper subset of C? Explain.

2. It is given that P = {x : x is an integer such that 0  x  13},

Q = {x : x is a prime number less than 13}
and R = {x : x is a positive integer not more than 13}.
(i) List all the elements of P and of Q.
(ii) Is Q  P or P  Q? Explain.
(iii) List all the elements of R.
(iv) Hence, state the relationship between sets R and P. Explain.

011 Chapter 1 Sets

 Listing all the Proper Subsets of a Set
Consider the set S = {1, 2}.
What are all the proper subsets of S?
Firstly, it is obvious that {1} and {2} are proper subsets of S as shown in Fig. 1.4(a)
and (b).

S S S
1 1 1
2 2 2

Empty Set AT
TE
NTI
(a) (b) (c) ON

Fig. 1.4
There is no need to draw any
In Fig. 1.4(c), we observe that we can draw the empty set completely inside S. Venn diagram when listing all the
subsets.
Thus, the empty set Ø is also a proper subset of S.
Therefore, all the proper subsets of S = {1, 2} are Ø, {1} and {2}.

PRACTISE NOW SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

List all the proper subsets of Exercise 1B Questions 9(a)-(d)

(i) S = {7, 8},
(ii) T = {a, b, c}.

Exercise
1B

1. The Venn diagram shows the elements in ξ and A. 2. It is given that

ξ = {x : x is an integer between 1 and 10

A lion inclusive}
cat and B = {x : x is an even number}.
dog
mouse (i) List all the elements of ξ and of B in set
tiger notation.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ
(i) List all the elements in A and in ξ. and B.
(ii) List all the elements in A. (iii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements
of B in set notation.
(iv) Describe the set B in words.

Sets Chapter 1 012

3. The Venn diagram shows the elements in A and 7. It is given that
in B. E = {x : x is an integer such that 0  x  20},
F = {x : x is a positive multiple of 4 that is less
B than 20}
A
and G = {x : x is a positive integer less than 21}.
s (i) List all the elements of E and of F.
t v
u w
x (ii) Is F  E or E  F? Explain.
y (iii) List all the elements of G.
z
(iv) Hence state the relationship between sets E
and G.
(i) List all the elements in A and in B.
(ii) Is A a proper subset of B? Explain.
8. It is given that
H = {x : x is a rational number},
4. It is given that A = {–2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3}
and I = {x : x is an integer}.
and B = {0, 1, 2, 3}.
Is I  H? Explain.
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A
and B.
9. List all the proper subsets of each of the following
(ii) Is B a proper subset of A? Explain. sets.
(a) K = {x, y}
(b) L = {Singapore, Malaysia}
(c) M = {3, 4, 5}
5. It is given that ξ = {x : x is an integer between 0 and
(d) N = {a, b, c, d}
10}
and C = {x : x is not a prime number}.
(i) List all the elements of ξ, of C and of C in set
notation.
10. It is given that
(ii) Describe the set C in words.
ξ = {x : x is a positive integer less than 21}
and O = {x : x is a number divisible by 3}.
6. It is given that ξ is the universal set containing the
(i) List all the elements of O.
first 10 letters of the English alphabet and D is the
set of consonants. (ii) Describe the elements in O in set notation.
(i) List all the elements of ξ, of D and of D in set
notation.
(ii) Describe the set D in words.

013 Chapter 1 Sets

 1.3 Intersection of
Two Sets

In the chapter opener, we see a Venn diagram with two sets. One set represents
animals that live only on land and the other set represents animals that live only in
water. At the middle of the diagram where the two sets intersect, there are animals
that live on land and in water. How could we relate this diagram using set notation?

Consider the sets A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and B = {3, 5, 6, 7}.

How can we draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A and B?

Since all the elements in a set are distinct (i.e. we cannot write the same element
twice or more), we draw the Venn diagram as shown in Fig. 1.5.

A B

1 3 6
2
4 5 7

Fig. 1.5
We notice that the elements 3 and 5 are common to both sets A and B, and they lie
in the intersection of A and B.

We write A  B = {3, 5}. In other words, A  B is a set.

We read this as
‘A intersect B.

In general,

the intersection of sets A and B, denoted by A  B, is the set

of all the elements which are common to both A and B.

Sets Chapter 1 014

Worked
Example 5 (Intersection of Two Sets)
It is given that A = {r, s, t, u, v, w, x} and B = {s, t, w, y, z}.
(i) List all the elements in A  B in set notation.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A and B.

Solution:
(i) A  B = {s, t, w}
(ii)
A B
u s
r y
t
v x w z

PRACTISE NOW 5 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

1. It is given that C = {x : x is a multiple of 6 such that 0 < x  18} Exercise 1C Questions 1-2, 7-9

and D = {x : x is a multiple of 3 such that 0 < x  18}.

(i) List all the elements in C and in D in set notation.
(ii) Find C  D.
(iii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets C and D.
(iv) Is C  D = C? Explain.

2. It is given that E = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 12}

and F = {x : x is a prime number between 5 and 13 inclusive}.
(i) List all the elements in E and in F in set notation.
(ii) Find E  F. Explain.
Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets E and F.
(iii)

From Practise Now 5 Questions 1 and 2, we observe that

• If all the elements of A are also in B, A is a subset of B,

then A  B = A.
• If A and B do not share any common elements,
A and B are disjoint sets, then A  B = Ø.

015 Chapter 1 Sets

 1.4 Union of Two Sets
Consider the same sets A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and B = {3, 5, 6, 7} as in Fig. 1.5, which is
shown again as Fig. 1.6.

A B

1 3 6
2
4 5 7

Fig. 1.6
If we list all the elements in A or in B together, we will get {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}.

This is called the union of A and B, and is denoted by A  B,

i.e. A  B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}.

In other words, A  B is also a set.

We read this as
‘A union B.

AT
TE
NTI
ON
In general,
In Mathematics, all the elements
the union of sets A and B, denoted by A  B is the set of which are in A or in B include
all the elements which are in A or in B. the elements which are in both
A and B.

Worked
6
(Union of Two Sets)
It is given that A = {f, g, h, i, j, k} and B = {h, i, p, q}.
Example (i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A and B.
(ii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements in A  B
in set notation.
P
So roblem
lvin

Solution: g T
ip

(i) Identify A ∩ B before drawing

A B the Venn diagram.
g
f h p

j k i q

(ii) A  B = {f, g, h, i, j, k, p, q}

Sets Chapter 1 016

 PRACTISE NOW 6 SIMILAR
QUESTIONS

1. It is given that C = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 8} and Exercise 1C Questions 3-4,
10-11
D = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 16}.
(i) List all the elements in C and in D in set notation.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets C and D.
(iii) From the Venn diagram, find C  D.
(iv) Is C  D = D? Explain.

2. It is given that E = {x : x is a multiple of 7 such that 0 < x  63}

and F = {x : x is a multiple of 9 such that 0 < x  63}.
(i) List all the elements in E and F in set notation.
Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets E and F.
(ii)
(iii) From the Venn diagram, find E  F.

From Practise Now 6 Question 1, we observe that

if C  D, then C  D = D.

Combining Universal
Set, Complement
of a Set, Subset,

1.5 Intersection and

Union of Sets

Worked
Example 7 (Problem involving Universal Set, Intersection and Union
of sets)
It is given that ξ = {x : x is a positive integer less than 11},
A = {x : x is an even number}
and B = {x : x is a factor of 12}.
(a) List all the elements in ξ, A and B.
(b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ, A and B.
(c) Find
(i) (A  B), (ii) A  B.

017 Chapter 1 Sets

Solution: P
So roblem
(a) ξ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} lvin
g T
ip
A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
Since ξ is the set of positive
B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6} integers less than 11, then A
cannot contain all the even
(b) numbers, but only those that are
 positive and less than 11.

A B
8 2 1 P
So roblem
lvin
g T
ip
4 6 3
10 For (b), to draw a Venn diagram,
always fill in the elements for
A ∩ B first.
5 7 9
For (c)(iii), it may be easier to list
(c) (i) (A  B) = {5, 7, 9} the elements in A and in B first,
if you cannot obtain the answer
(ii) A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} from the Venn diagram directly.

B = {5, 7, 8, 9, 10}
∴ A  B = {8, 10}

PRACTISE NOW 7 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

1. It is given that ξ = {x : x is a positive integer not more than 9}, Exercise 1C Questions 5, 12-13,
17-19
A = {x : x is an odd number}
and B = {x : x is a multiple of 3}.
(a) List all the elements in ξ, in A and in B in set notation.
(b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ, A and B.
(c) Find
(i) (A  B),
(ii) A  B.

2. It is given that ξ = {x : x is a triangle},

R = {x : x is a right-angled triangle}
and I = {x : x is a triangle with exactly two equal sides}.
T is a triangle with sides 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm.
U is a triangle with angles 90°, 45° and 45°.
V is a triangle with sides 5 cm, 8 cm and 8 cm.
W is a triangle with two sides, 5 cm and 5 cm, and an included angle of 60°.
On the Venn diagram below, write T, U, V and W in the appropriate subsets.

R I

Sets Chapter 1 018

Worked
8
(Problem involving Shading of Sets)
Identify and shade the following regions on separate Venn
Example diagrams.


X Y

(i) X  Y
(ii) X  Y
(iii) (X  Y)

P
So roblem

Solution:
lvin
g T
ip

(i) Step 1: Put a tick in each of the two regions for X. The diagram is divided into 4
regions.

X Y
ü ü
P
So roblem
lvin
g T
ip

Step 2: Put a tick in each of the two regions for Y. X  Y’ is the set of all the
elements which are in X or in Y’,
 so shade all the regions with at
least one tick.
X Y
ü
ü
ü
P
ü So roblem
lvin
g T
ip

X  Y’ is the set of all the

Step 3: As it is a union, shade all the regions with at least one tick. elements which are common to
both X and Y’.

X Y

(ii) As it is an intersection, shade all the regions with exactly two ticks.

X Y

019 Chapter 1 Sets

(iii) Step 1: Put a tick in the region for X  Y.

X Y
ü

Step 2: As it is a complement of X  Y, shade all the regions without any tick.


X Y

PRACTISE NOW 8 SIMILAR

QUESTIONS

Identify and shade the following regions on separate Venn diagrams. Exercise 1C Questions 6, 14-16


X Y

(i) X  Y (ii) X  Y (iii) (X  Y)

(iv) X  Y (v) X  Y (vi) (X  Y)

Thinking
Time
From your answers in Practise Now 8, answer each of the following.
1. Is (X  Y) equal to X  Y or X  Y?
2. Is (X  Y) equal to X  Y or X  Y ?

Sets Chapter 1 020

 Performance Task
Find out from your classmates how they usually travel to school every morning.
Present your findings on a vanguard sheet by drawing a Venn diagram to display the
following sets where appropriate.

A = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by public bus}

B = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by MRT}
C = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by chartered bus}
D = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by taxi}
E = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by car}
F = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by foot only}
G = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by helicopter}
H = {x : x is a student in your class who travels to school by other modes of
transport not stated above}

1. What would you take as the universal set ξ?

2. Is there any empty set? Do you want to include an empty set in your Venn
diagram?
3. Every student who travels to school will have to do some walking. Do you want
to include walking for every student when doing such a survey? Explain.
4. Do some sets intersect each other? How would you represent these sets in the
Venn diagram?
5. Do you want to include yourself in the above survey? Explain.

Exercise
1C
2. It is given that
D = {blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink}
1. It is given that
and C = {blue, yellow, pink, purple, black}.
A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 7}
and B = {2, 4, 8, 10}. (i) List all the elements in C  D in set notation.

(i) List all the elements in A  B in set notation. (ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets C
and D.
(ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets A
and B.

021 Chapter 1 Sets

3. It is given that E = {11, 13, 15, 17} 8. It is given that
and F = {12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20}. N = {x : x is a multiple of 8 such that 0  x  32}
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets E and Q = {x : x is a multiple of 4 such that 0  x  32}.
and F. (i) List all the elements in N and in Q in set
(ii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements in notation.
E  F in set notation. (ii) Find N  Q.
(iii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets N
4. It is given that
and Q.
G = {apple, orange, banana, grape, durian,
pear} (iv) Is N  Q = N? Explain.
and H = {apple, banana, grape, strawberry}.
9. It is given that
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets G
R = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 18}
and H.
and S = {x : x is a composite number between 9
(ii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements in and 18}.
G  H in set notation.
(i) List all the elements in R and S in set notation.
5. It is given that (ii) Find R  S. Explain.
ξ = {x : x is a positive integer less than 16}, Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets R
(iii)
I = {x : x is a multiple of 4}, and S.
and J = {x : x is a factor of 8}.
(a) List all the elements in ξ, in I and in J in set 10. It is given that
notation. T = {x : x is a multiple of 4 such that 0  x  16}
(b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ, and U = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 24}
I and J. (i) List all the elements in T and in U in set
(c) From the Venn diagram, find notation.
(i) (I  J), (ii) I  J. (ii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets T
and U.
6. Identify and shade the following regions on separate (iii) From the Venn diagram, find T  U.
Venn diagrams.
(iv) Is T  U = U? Explain.

K L
11. It is given that
V = {x : x is a positive integer and a factor of 25}
and W = {x : x is a multiple of 6 such that 0 < x < 25}.
(i) List all the elements in V and W in set notation.
(i) K  L, (ii) K  L, (iii) (K  L).
Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets V
(ii)
and W.
(iii) From the Venn diagram, find V  W.
7. It is given that
M = {x : x is a perfect square such that 0  x  70}
and P = {x : x is a perfect cube such that 0  x  70}.
(i) List all the elements in M and P in set notation.
(ii) From the Venn diagram, list all the elements in
M  P in set notation.
(iii) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets M
and P.

Sets Chapter 1 022

12. It is given that 15. Identify and shade the following regions on
ξ = {x : x is a positive integer such that 3  x  18}, separate Venn diagrams.
Y = {x : x is a multiple of 3}

and Z = {x : x is a multiple of 9}. P Q
(a) List all the elements in ξ, in Y and in Z in set
notation.
(b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ,
Y and Z.
(i) P  Q (ii) P  Q (iii) (P  Q)
(c) From the Venn diagram, find
(iv) (P  Q) (v) P  Q (vi) P  Q
(i) (Y  Z), (ii) Y  Z.
(vii) (P  Q) (viii) (P  Q)
13. It is given that
ξ = {x : x is a non-negative integer less than 12}, 16. Identify and shade the following regions on
P = {x : x is a prime number} separate Venn diagrams.
and Q = {x : x is not a prime number}. 
X Y
(a) List all the elements in ξ, in P and in Q in set
notation.
(b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets ξ,
P and Q.
(c) From the Venn diagram, find (i) X  Y (ii) X  Y (iii) (X  Y)
(i) P  Q, (ii) (P  Q), (iv) (X  Y) (v) X  Y (vi) X  Y
(iii) P  Q. (vii) (X  Y) (viii) (X  Y)

14. Identify and shade the following regions on

separate Venn diagrams.

 17. For any set A, simplify the following if possible.

A B (i) A  ξ (ii) A  ξ
(iii) A  Ø (iv) A  Ø

18. If A  B and A  C = Ø, simplify the following if

possible.
(i) A  B (ii) A  B
(i) A  B (ii) A  B
(iii) (A  B) (iv) (A  B)
(iii) B  C (iv) A  C
(v) A  B (vi) A  B
(v) (B  C)  A (vi) (B  C)  A
(vii) (A  B) (viii) (A  B)
(vii) (A  C)  B (viii)(A  C)  B

023 Chapter 1 Sets

19. It is given that On the Venn diagram below, write Q, R, S and T in
ξ = {x : x is a quadrilateral}, the appropriate subsets.
A = {x : x is a quadrilateral with all sides equal}
and B = {x : x is a quadrilateral with all angles 
equal}. A B

Q is a rectangle with length 12 cm and breadth

10 cm.
R is a rhombus with side 7 cm and angles 30°, 150°,
30°, and 150°.
S is a square with side 8 cm.
T is a trapezium with sides 5 cm, 5 cm, 5 cm and
9 cm.

1. A set is a collection of well-defined and distinct objects. Each object in the set is
called an element.
2. A set can be defined by:
(a) describing it in words, e.g. S is the set of all positive even integers less than 10,
(b) listing all its elements in set notation, e.g. S = {2, 4, 6, 8},
(c) describing its elements in set notation,
e.g. S = {x : x is a positive even integer less than 10}.
3. Two sets A and B are equal if they contain exactly the same elements, and we write
A = B.
4. The empty or null set is the set containing no element. It is described by Ø.
5. A Venn diagram can be used to represent the relationships among sets.
6. The universal set is the set of all elements that are under consideration for a particular
situation. It is denoted by ξ.
7. The complement of a set A is the set of all the elements in ξ but not in A. It is denoted
by A.
8. B is a proper subset of A if every element of B is an element of A, and B ≠ A.
We write B  A.
9. The intersection of sets A and B is the set of all the elements which are common to
both A and B. It is denoted by A  B.
10. The union of sets A and B is the set of all the elements which are in A or B. It is
denoted by A  B. In Mathematics, all the elements which are in A or B include the
elements which are in both A and B.

Sets Chapter 1 024

 1
1. A is the set of odd positive integers less than 11. 4. State whether each of the following statements is
true or false.
(a) List all the elements of A in set notation.
(a) If a ∈X and X  Y, then a ∈Y.
(b) State whether each of the following statements
is true or false. (b) If b ∈Y and X  Y, then b ∈X.
(i) 7 ∈A (ii) 8 ∉A (c) If X  Y and Y  Z, then X  Z.
(iii) 11 ∈A (iv) 1 ∉A
(d) If X = Ø, then X = ξ.
(c) Using set notation ∈ or ∉, describe whether
each of the following numbers is an element 5. It is given that
of, or is not an element of, A. ξ = {x : x is an integer such that 1  x  24},
(i) –3 (ii) 3 A = {x : x is a multiple of 4}
and B = {x : x is a factor of 36}.
(iii) 0 (iv) 9
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate this
2. List all the elements in each of the following sets in information.
set notation, and then state whether it is an empty (ii) List the elements contained in the set A  B.
set. If yes, use the notation Ø to describe the set.
6. It is given that
(a) B is the set of prime numbers that are divisible
ξ = {x : x is an integer such that –7  x  7},
by 2.
A = {x : x is an integer such that –7  x  7}
(b) C = {x : x is a day of the week that begins with and B = {x : x is an integer such that 0  x  7}.
the letter ‘S’}
List the elements in
(c) D = {x : x is a positive integer, a factor of 24
(i) A, (ii) A  B,
and a multiple of 9}
(iii) A  B.
(d) E is the set of quadrilaterals with three obtuse
angles. 7. It is given that
ξ = {x : x is an integer such that 0  x  16},
3. If ξ = {–5, –4, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3}, list the A = {x : x is a perfect square}
complement of each of the following sets. and B = {x : x is a factor of 26}.
(a) A = {–5, –3, –1, 2} (i) Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the given
information.
(b) B = {–5, –4, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3}
(ii) List the elements contained in the set A  B.
(c) C = {x : x is a prime number}
(d) D = {x : x is a positive integer and a multiple
of 3}

025 Chapter 1 Sets

8. It is given that 10. It is given that
ξ = {x : x is an integer between 0 and 21}, ξ = {x : x is a real number},
A = {x : x is divisible by 5} A = {x : x is a rational number}
and B = {x : x is not a prime number}. and B = {x : x is an integer}.
(i) Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the given On the Venn diagram given, write the following
information. numbers in the appropriate subsets.
(ii) List the elements contained in the set A  B. 2
(i) –7 (ii)
3
9. It is given that S = {s, i, t}. List all the proper subsets (iii) π (iv) 0
of S. 
A B

Challenge

1. It is given that S = {a, {a}}. State and explain whether the following statements
can be true.
(i) a ∈ S, (ii) {a} ∈ S,
(iii) {a}  S, (iv) {{a}}  S.

2. If a set S has n elements, how many proper subsets does it have?

3. Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the relationships among the following

quadrilaterals.
(i) square (ii) rectangle
(iii) rhombus (iv) parallelogram
(v) trapezium (vi) kite

For the purpose of classification, adopt the following definitions (because there
is more than one definition).
(a) A trapezium has at least two parallel sides.
(b) A kite has at least two equal adjacent sides.

Sets Chapter 1 026