WIT.B.

23
Issue: 2
Revision: 0
Approved: President
WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Date: November 24, 2014
LUNA ST., LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY P.O. Box 258 ILOILO CITY
PHILIPPINES 5000 PHILIPPINES 5000
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Website: www.wit.edu.ph E-mail: [email protected]

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MATHEMATICS IN THE
MODERN WORLD

MODULE 4

________________________
Name of Student

_______________________________________
Course and Year

Prepared by:
Prof. Ninfa Sua – Sotomil
Josefino Darcy A. Balasoto
 ABOUT THE COURSE

Course Number: Math 1

Course Title: Mathematics in the Modern World
Course Description: This course deals with the nature of mathematics, appreciation of its practical
and intellectual and aesthetic dimensions, and application of mathematical tools in
daily life.
The course begins with an introduction to the nature of mathematics as an
exploration of pattern (in nature and the environment) and as an application of
inductive and deductive reasoning. By exploring these topics, students are
encouraged to go beyond the typical understanding of mathematics as merely a set
of formulas but as a source of aesthetics in patterns of nature, for example, and a
rich language in itself (and of science) governed by logic and reasoning.
The course then proceeds to survey ways in which mathematics provide a tool for
understanding and dealing with various aspects of present – day living, such as
managing personal finances, making social choices, appreciating geometric designs,
understanding codes used in data transmission and security, and dividing limited
resources fairly. These aspects will provide opportunities for actually doing
mathematics in a broad range of exercises
Pre-requisite : None
Credit Units : 3 Units

Course Outline
Section I. The Nature of Mathematics
2. Mathematical Language and Symbols
 Language of sets
 Venn diagram

References:
CHED Memorandum Order No. 20, series of 2013. (4 July 2013). General Education Curriculum:
Holistic understandings, intellectual and civic competencies
Nocon R. et al. (2018). Essential Mathematics for the Modern World. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.
 SESSION 4. THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICS

Good day, learner! I hope that you had understood

Mathematics in the perspective of being a language. The
power of seeing mathematics as another system of
communicating thoughts and ideas will bring insights and
learnings in a different, and hopefully easier, light. This
time, you will focus in one concept and how it is central in
mathematical language. Keep going, you are almost at the
finish!

The Language of Sets

Notation
If S is a set, the notation x ∈ S means that x is an element of S. The notation x ∉ S means that x
is not an element of S., a set may be specified using the set roster notation by writing all of its
elements between braces. For example, {1, 2, 3} denotes the set whose elements are 1, 2, and 3. A
variation of the notation is sometimes used to describe a very large set, as when we write {1, 2, 3, … ,100}
to refer to the set of all integers from 1 to 100. A similar notation can also describe an infinite set, as
when we write {1, 2, 3, … } to refer to the set of all positive integers. (The symbol … is called an ellipsis
and is read “and so forth.”)
Certain sets of numbers are so frequently referred to that they are given special symbolic names.
These are summarized in the table below.
Symbol Set
N Natural/counting numbers: 1, 2, 3
Z Set of all integers
Q Set of all rational numbers, or quotient of integers
R Set of all real numbers, rational and irrational
Note: The Z is the first letter of the German word for integers, Zahlen. It stands for the set of all
integers and should not be used as a shorthand for the word integer.
Set – Builder Notation
Let S denote a set and let P (x) be a property that elements of S may or may not satisfy. We may
define a new set to be the set of all elements x in S such that P (x) is true. { 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆 ∣ 𝑃 ( 𝑥 ) }.
Subsets
If A and B are sets then A is called a subset of B, written A ⊆ B, if, and only if, every element of A
is also an element of B.
Symbolically:
A ⊆ B means that For all elements x, if x ∈ A then x ∈ B.
Or: A is contained in B and B contains A
A ⊆ B means that There is at least one element x such that x ∈ A and x ∉ B.
Proper Subset
Let A and B be sets. A is a proper subset of B, if and only if, every element of B is in B but there
is at least one element of B that is not in A.
Ordered Pair
Given elements a and b, the symbol (a, b) denotes the ordered pair consisting of a and b together
with the specification that a is the first element of the pair and b is the second element. Two ordered
pairs (a, b) and (c, d) are equal if, and only if, a = c and b = d.
(a, b) = (c, d) means that a = c and b = d
Cartesian Product
Given sets A and B, the Cartesian product of A and B, denoted A x B and read “A cross B,” is the
set of all ordered pairs (a, b), where a is in A and b is in B.
A x B = {(a, b) ∣ a ∈ A and b ∈ B}
Exercise Set 4:
1. Let A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {3, 1, 2}, and C = {1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3}. What are the elements of A, B, and C? how are
A, B, and C related?
2. Is {0} = 0?
3. How many elements are in the set {1, {1}}?
4. For each nonnegative integers n, let 𝑈𝑛 = {𝑛, −𝑛}. Find 𝑈1 , 𝑈2 , and 𝑈0 .
5. Given that R denotes the set of all real numbers, Z the set of all integers, and 𝑍 + the set of all
positive integers, describe each of the following sets.
a. {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 ∣ −2 < 𝑥 < 5 }
b. {𝑥 ∈ 𝑍 ∣ −2 < 𝑥 < 5 }
c. {𝑥 ∈ 𝑍 + ∣ −2 < 𝑥 < 5 }
6. Let 𝐴 = 𝑍 + , 𝐵 = {𝑛 ∈ 𝑍 ∣ 0 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 100}, and C = {100, 200, 300, 400, 500}. Evaluate the truth and falsity
of each of the following statements.
a. B ⊆ A
b. C is the proper subset of A
c. C and B have at least one element in common
d. C ⊆ B
e. C ⊆ C
7. Which of the following are true statements?
a. 2 ∈ {1, 2, 3}
b. {2} ∈ {1, 2, 3}
c. 2 ⊆ {1, 2, 3}
d. {2} ⊆ {1, 2, 3}
e. {2} ⊆ {{1}, {2}}
f. {2} ∈ {{1}, {2}}
8. Is (1, 2) = (2, 1)?
5 1
b. Is (3, 10) = (√9, 2)?
c. What is the first element of (1, 1)?
9. Let A = {1, 2, 3} and B = {𝑢, 𝑣}.
a. Find A x B
b. Find B x A
c. Find B x B
d. How many elements are in A x B, B x A, and B x B?
e. Let R denote the set of all real numbers. Describe R x R
10. Let Y= {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐} and Z = {1, 2}.
a. Find Y x Z
b. Find Z x Y
c. Find Y x Y
d. How many elements are in Y x Z, Z x Y, and Y x Y?

Solution
1. A, B, and C have exactly the same three elements: 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, A, B, and C are
simply different ways to represent the same set.
2. {0} ≠ 0 because {0} is a set with one element, namely 0 whereas 0 is just the symbol that
represent the number zero.
3. The set {1, {1}} has two elements: 1 and the set whose only element is 1.
4. 𝑈1 = {1, −1} , 𝑈2 = {2, −2},
𝑈0 = {0, −0} = {0,0} = {0}
5. a. { 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 ∣ −2 , < 𝑥 < 5 } is the open interval of real numbers (strictly) between – 2 and 5.
b. { 𝑥 ∈ 𝑍 ∣ −2 , < 𝑥 < 5 } is the set of all integers (strictly between − 2 and 5. It is equal to the set
{−1, 2, 3, 4}
c. Since all the integers in 𝑍 + are positive, {𝑥 ∈ 𝑍 + ∣ −2 < 𝑥 < 5} = {1, 2, 3,4}
6. a. False. Zero is not a positive integer. Thus zero is in B but zero is not in A, and so B ⊆ A.
b. True. Each element in C is a positive integer and, hence, is in A, but there are elements in A
that are not in C. for instance, 1 is in A and not in C.
c. True. For example, 100 is in both C and B.
d. False, for example, 200 s in C but not in B.
e. True. Every element in C is in C. in general, the definition of subset implies that all sets are
subsets of themselves.
7. Only (a), (d), and (f) are true.
For (b) to be true, the set {1, 2, 3} would have to contain the element {2}. But the only elements of
{1, 2, 3} are 1, 2, and 3, and 2 is not equal to {2}. Hence (b) is false.
 For ( c ) to be true, the number 2 would have to be a set and every element in the set 2 would have
to be an element of {1, 2, 3}. This is not the case, so ( c ) is false.
For ( c ) to be true, every element in the set containing only number 2 would have to be element
of the set whose elements are {1} and {2}. But 2 is not equal to either {1} or {2}, and so ( e ) is
false.
8. a. No. By definition of equality of ordered pairs, (1, 2) = (2, 1) if, and only if, 1 = 2 and 2 = 1.
But 1 ≠ 2, and so the ordered pairs are not equal.
5 1 5
b. Yes. By definition of equality or ordered pairs, (3, 10) = (√9, 2) if, and only if 3 = √9 and 10 =
1
2
. Because these equations are both true, the ordered pairs are equal.

Concept of a Set

In the different branches of Mathematics and other fields of Science, the concept of set is a basic
fundamental notion that we should give importance. The concept of set is so complex that it is
impossible for us to define what set is. Thus, set is simply described in terms of the properties of
those objects that belong to the set.
Set – is a well–defined collection of objects, concrete or abstract, of any kind.

Example
1. The set of all positive numbers greater than 5
2. The set of Algebra books in your library
3. The set of Freshman College students in your school
4. The set of months with 31 days
5. The set of past presidents of the Philippines
6. The set of ideas that you may have right now
7. The set of trigonometric functions you study in this course
8. The set of exercises you will have to solve to determine if you have mastered the definitions,
notations, and operations in set theory

In all the above examples, two important things must be borne in mind:

First, that a set is a collection of “objects” or “things” which do not necessarily have to be concrete,
and hence, directly perceived. For example, the set of mixed emotions one feels when he listens to a
piece of beautiful music and is so moved by it.

Second, that while an aggregate of members make up a set, it is possible for a set to have no
members. Sets can be identified or named with the use of capital letters or symbols. Sets are usually
represented by listing their elements, separated by commas, within its braces { }. In set notation, we
use the symbol  (epsilon) for the phrase “is an element of” or “belongs to”. Thus to indicate
membership in a set, we have x  X, which is read as: “x is an object of set X, or “x belongs to the set
X”. Similarly, if we wish to indicate that x is not an element of x, we write x  X.

Basic Notations

A, B, C – denote a set
 – is an element of, belongs to
 – is not an element of
 – is a subset of
 – is not a subset of
= – is equal to
 – is not equal to
 – is equivalent to
 – null or empty set
n(A) – the cardinal number of set A

Set Description

Two Methods of Writing Sets

1. Roster Method – indicates a set by listing the elements, separating them by a comma and
enclosing them in braces.
2. Rule method – indicates a set by describing the elements of the set.

Consider a set whose elements are whole numbers less than 8. By the roster method, we have

A = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 }

Using the rule method we have

A = { xx is a whole number less than 8}

Kinds of Sets

1. Finite Set – a set whose elements are countable or limited up to the last element
Example S = {a, b, c}
T = {4, 8, 12, 16}

2. Infinite Set – a set whose elements are unlimited or unaccountable.

Example the set of stars in a galaxy

3. Unit Set – a set with only one element

Example A = { xx is an integer greater than 18 but less than 20}
B = {19}

4. Empty or Null Set – a set with no element

Example C={}
D = { xx is an integer less than 12 but greater than 11}

5. Universal Set – the totality of elements of a set under consideration

Example R = { xx is a partial scholar in the university}
E = { xx is a planet in the solar system}

6. Subset – a set whose elements are members of a given set

Given sets A and B, if all the elements of set A are found in B, then A is a subset of B.
Example A = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
B = {3, 6, 9, 12}

7. Equal Sets – Sets A and B are equal if and only if all the elements of set A are in set B, and all
the elements of B are in A.
Example A = {M, o, n}
B = {n, o, M}
Then A = B

8. Equivalent Sets – sets where one–to–one correspondence between the elements of sets A and
B exists. A one–to–one correspondence exists between two sets A and B, if we
can pair an element of A with exactly one element of B.
Example A = {1, 3, 5, 7}
B = {e, y, m, z}
A~B

9. Disjoint Sets – sets that have no common elements

Example C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,}
D = {– 5, – 4, – 3, – 2, – 1}
Thus we can conclude that C and D are disjoint sets.

Operations on Sets

A. Union of Two Sets – is a set in which the elements of the two sets are combined. If the two
sets have elements in common such elements are written only once.
A  B = {x x  A or x  B}

Example
Let
E = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} R = {1, 4}
M = {1, 3, 5, 7} J = {–2, –1, 0}
C = { 2, 4}
 Give the elements of Solution:
1. E  M 1. The elements of set M are also elements
of E. Hence,
E  M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
2. M  C 2. M  C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7}
3. M  R 3. M  R = {1, 3, 4, 5, 7}
4. C  J 4. C  J = {–2, –1, 0, 2, 4}

Based on the above examples, we have discovered that some of the elements of the union are
elements of both sets. But, in tabulating the elements of the union of the sets, elements common to
both are just listed once.

B. Intersection of Two Sets – is the set of elements that belong to both.

A  B = {x x  A and x  B}
Example
Let
E = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} C = { 2, 4, 6}
M = {1, 3, 5} R = {1, 4}
Give the elements of Solution:
1. E  M 1. E  M = {1, 3, 5}
2. M  C 2. M  C = 
3. C  R 3. C  R = {4}

C. Complement of a Set
Consider B as a set. The complement of B denoted by B’ (read as “B prime) refers to the set
whose elements are not in B but elements of the universal set U.
B’ = {x x  B and x  U}
Example
Let U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
R = {3, 5, 7}
J = {2, 3, 4, 5}
Give the elements of Solution
1. R’ 1. R’ = {1, 2, 4, 6, 8}
2. J’ 2. J’ = {1, 6, 7, 8}
3. (R  Q)’ 3. (R  Q)’ = {1, 6, 8}
4. (R  Q)’ 4. (R  Q)’ = {1,2,4,6,7,8}

D. Set Difference
Consider B and C as sets. The difference of B and C denoted by B – C (read as “B minus C”)
refers to the set whose elements belong to B and not in C.
B – C = {x x  B and x  C}
Example
Let C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
H = {1, 2, 5, 8, 9}
U = {7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 20}
M = {– 5, – 4, – 1, 0, 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 13}
Give the elements of Solution
1. C – H 1. C – H = { 3, 4, 6}
2. H – C 2. H – C = {8, 9}
3. U – H 3. U – H = {7, 10, 13, 15, 20}
4. M – U 4. M – U = {–5,–4,–1, 0, 1, 2, 5, 9}

E. Cartesian Product
The Cartesian product of B and C denoted by B x C (read as “B cross C”) refers to the set
whose elements are ordered pairs (x, y)
Example
Let R = {2, 3}
J = {–1, 3, 5}
Give the elements of Solution
1. R x J 1. R x J = {(2, –1),(2, 3),(2, 5),(3, –1),
(3, 3),(3, 5)}
2. J x R 2. J x R = {(–1, 2),(3, 2),(5, 2),
(–1, 3),(3, 3),(5, 3)}
 Venn Diagram

Venn Diagram – is a pictorial representation involving relations between and among sets. This
diagram is named after the English logician John Venn (1834 – 1923) in 1880.

Example
A survey was conducted among graduating ECE students in a certain university on which board
subject they like best. The result is tabulated as follows:
Mathematics 55
Electronics 50
Communications 51
Math & Electronics 32
Math & Communications 28
Electronics & Communications 25
All three subjects 10

How many were there in the graduating class?

Solution:

Use venn diagram:

5 Mathematics

22 18
10
3 15 8
Communications
Electronics

N = 5 + 22 + 10 + 18 + 3 + 15 + 8 = 81 students