RAFFLES INSTITUTION

RAFFLES PROGRAMME 2022

Year Two Mathematics
Topic 10: Introductory Set Theory
Worksheet 1 – Set Language and Notations
Name: ( ) Class: 2( ) Date:

NSM 4 Chapter 1 (p.1-26)

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, students are able to
• Understand the definition of the terms: set, element ( ), universal set (ξ), finite set,
infinite set, null or empty set ( or ), complement of a set ( ), subset ( ),
proper subset ( ) and number of elements ( ).

• Describe sets by listing the elements, describing the chief characteristics of the
elements in words, using the set-builder notation and Venn diagrams.
• Understand the terms disjoint sets, intersection ( ) and union ( ) of sets.
• List the elements of an intersection of sets and union of sets.
• Shade the resulting set on a Venn diagram and write the set notation for the shaded
region on a Venn diagram.

Set Theory is a branch of Mathematics that studies sets, which are collections of distinct
objects. We call each distinct object within the set an element (or member) of the set.
Can you give some examples of a set?
Set Elements

A language is a system for the expression of thoughts and ideas through the use of spoken
sounds or conventional symbols. Set language is therefore a system for the expression of
concepts in set theory through the use of conventional symbols or notations. Hence, in order
to study set theory, we need to be familiar with the symbols and notations in set language.

A strip from Foxtrot comic by Bill Amend

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A. Describing a Set

Blended Learning Online Activity:

Students to access HeyMath! online lesson on “Year 2 Mathematics”  “Introductory Set
Theory”  “Introduction to Sets”  “Introduction”

1. We use capital letters to denote a set.

We use small letters to denote the elements in a set. Sometimes the elements can be
in capital letters.
We use curly brackets to enclose the elements of a set.
For example:
The set of vowels in the English alphabet can be written as A = {a, e, i, o, u} .

2. The order in which the elements are written makes no difference and each element is
listed only once.
For example:
If B is the set of letters in the word “opportunity”, then B = {o, p, r, t, u, n, i, y} .

3. There are three ways of describing a set:

(a) List the elements
(b) Describe the elements
(c) Use set-builder notation
For example:
Listing Description Set-builder notation
A = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} A is the set of positive odd {x : x =
A= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4}
2k + 1 for k =
numbers less than 10.

4. The following are some useful sets to note:

We read this as “ is such that is
•  is the set of all natural numbers. equals to for equals to 0, 1, 2,
•  is the set of all integers. 3 or 4”. So, A is a set containing element
x that satisfy the condition 2k + 1 with k
•  is the set of all rational numbers. = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4.
•  is the set of all real numbers.
• We add “+” at the top right of  and  to indicate positive real numbers and
positive integers. [Note:  + is the same as  ]

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B. Introduction to Set Notations

(1) Set Notation for Set Membership

∈ is an element of

∉ is not an element of

For example:
Let A represent the set of all prime numbers. Therefore, 2 ∈ A and 1 ∉ A .

EXAMPLE 1
List all the members of B , if B is the set containing all the months of the year whose name
starts with the letter J.

EXAMPLE 2
Which of the following statements are true and which ones are false?
(a) 5 ∉ {3, 57, 11, 14}

(b) bus ∈ {b, u, s}

(c) 4 ∉ {=
x : x 2k where k ∈ }

EXAMPLE 3
List the elements in each of the following sets in set notation.
(a) =B {=
x : 3x 5 and x ∈ }

(b) C= { x : 9 < 4 x < 33 and x ∈ }

(c) =D {2=
n:n 3
}
8 and n ∈ 

EXAMPLE 4
Describe each of the following sets in words.
(a) M = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29}

(b) N = {1, 8, 27, 64, 125, ...}

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(2) Set Notation for Number of Elements in a Set and Null Set

n ( A) Number of elements in set A

∅ or {} Null or Empty Set which is a set containing no element

For example:
If A = {a, e, i, o, u} , then n ( A ) = 5 .

If B is the set of prime numbers smaller than 1, then B = { } or ∅ and n ( B ) = 0 .

We also have the following terminology to describe sets.

EQUAL SETS
Two sets A and B are equal if they contain exactly the same elements, and we write A = B .
For example, if A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {2, 4, 1, 3} , then A = B , although the order of the
elements are different in A and in B .
We also notice that if A = B , then n ( A ) = n ( B ) .

EXAMPLE 5
Which of following represents equal sets?
A = { a , b, c , d }

B = {ab, c, d }

C= ∅
D= {∅}
E = {0}

F ={ }
G = { x : x is a prime number smaller than 10}

H = { x : x is a positive integer greater than 4}

I = {7, 2, 5, 3}

J = { x : x is a whole number greater or equal to 5}

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 Thinking time …
If A and B are two sets such that n ( A ) = n ( B ) , is A = B ?

FINITE SET
A finite set is a set which has a finite number of elements.
For example:
The set of students in Raffles Institution.

INFINITE SET
An infinite set is a set which has an infinite number of elements.
Examples:
The set of all integers,  , is countably infinite.
The set of real numbers from 1 to 5 is uncountably infinite.

EXAMPLE 6
State whether each of the following sets is finite or infinite.

(a) { x : x ∈  and 1 < x < 1000}

(b) { x : x ∈  and 1 < x < 2}

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EXAMPLE 7
State whether each of the following statements is TRUE or FALSE. If it is false, explain why.
(a) {0} = ∅

(b) {∅} ={0}

(c) {∅} is an empty set.
(d) n ( ∅ ) =0

(e) { x : x + 3 = 7} = {x : x 2
= 16}

EXAMPLE 8
A { x : x is the square of natural numbers and x < 50} ,
B = { x : x is a prime number less than 20} ,

C= {x : x = 2k + 1, where 3 < k < 7 and k ∈ } and

D
= { x : 5 < x < 6, x ∈ } .

Find n ( A ) , n ( B ) , n ( C ) and n ( D ) .

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(3) Set Notation for Subsets and Proper Subsets

Subsets

⊆ is a subset of

⊆ is not a subset of

If every element of set A is also an element of B , then set A is a subset of set B .

We write _________________ to denote A is a subset of B .
If set A is not a subset of set B, we write _________________.

For example:
A = {1, 2}
B = {1, 2, 3}

A ⊆ B since every element of A is also an element of B .

But since not every element of B is an element of A .

Proper Subsets

⊂ is a proper subset of

⊄ is not a proper subset of

If every element of set A is also an element of B , but set B has at least 1 element that is not
in set A , then set A is a proper subset of set B .
We write _________________ to denote A is a proper subset of B .
If set A is not a proper subset of set B, we write _________________.

For example:
C = {c, h, e, a, p}
D = {p, e, a, c, h}
E = {p, e, a}

C ⊆ D since every element of C is also an element of D but C ⊄ D as D has the same

number of elements as C .

E ⊆ D since every element of E is also an element of D and E ⊂ D as D has more

elements than E .

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 If B is a subset of A , then B can be a proper subset of A ,
or B = A .

Note:
1. A⊆ A (Any set is a subset of itself)
2. ∅⊂ A ( ∅ is a subset of every set)

EXAMPLE 9

Given A = {1, 2, 3, 4} ,

B = { a , b, c , d } ,

C = {a, o, u} ,

D = {a, e, i, o, u} ,

E = {2, 3, 4} ,

F is the set of vowels in the English alphabet,

G is the set containing the first four letters in the English alphabet and
H is the set containing the first four counting numbers,

fill in the blanks with “ ⊂ ” or “ = ” to make each statement true.

(a) B _____ G

(b) E _____ A

(c) D _____ F

(d) C _____ D

(e) A _____ H

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(4) Set Notation for Universal Set and Complement of a Set

The universal set is the set of all the elements that are
ξ (read as xi) under consideration for a particular situation.

A' (read as A complement) The complement of a set A is the set of all elements in
ξ but not in A .

EXAMPLE 10
If ξ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} ,
A is the set of prime numbers,
B is the set of even numbers and
C
= {=
x:x 5k , k ∈ } ,
list the elements in A ' , B ' and C ' .

EXAMPLE 11
If ξ =  , A = { x : x < 1, x ∈ } and B = { x : x ≥ 4, x ∈ } , find the sets A ' and B ' .

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C. Venn Diagrams

Besides expressing a set by listing its elements within braces, describing the chief
characteristics of its elements in words or using the set-builder notation, we can also express a
set by means of a diagram called a Venn diagram, which also show the relationship between
sets.

ξ
For example:
A B
ξ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10} 3 7
2 4
A = {2, 4, 6, 8} 6 8 9

B = {3, 7, 9}
1 5 10

The rectangle is the universal set and it contains the sets A and B.

NOTE:
1. There is no difference in the way we represent subsets and proper subsets using Venn
diagrams. For example, A ⊆ B or A ⊂ B , we draw
B
A

2. When drawing a Venn diagram,

• Do not put commas between the elements
• Do not write the elements too close together
• Write the elements inside the set, but label the set ξ or the set A outside the set.

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EXAMPLE 12
ξ is the set of quadrilaterals,
A is the set of squares,
B is the set of rhombuses and
C is the set of parallelograms.

Draw a clearly labeled Venn diagram to show the relationship between the sets ξ , A , B
and C .

EXAMPLE 13
 1 
ξ  x : < x < 16, x ∈  
=
 2 
A = { x : x is a multiple of 3} and

B
= { x : 9 ≤ 3x − 4 < 32}
(a) List the elements in ξ , A and B .
(b) Fill in the members of ξ , A and B in the given Venn diagram.
ξ

A B

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D. Homework 1

Level 1 (Self-Practice)

1. If =
ξ { x : 3 ≤ x ≤ 16, x ∈ } ,
P
= { x : 5 ≤ x ≤ 13} and
=Q { x : x is prime, x ∈ P} ,
list the elements in P ' and Q ' .

2. Given A =  ,
B =,
C = + ,
D is the set of non-negative integers,
E is the set of non-positive integers and
F = − ,
state whether each of the following statements is TRUE or FALSE.
(a) −3 ∉ A (b) 9∈B (c) −9 ∉ B

(d) C = D 1
(e) −1.2 ∈ F (f) ∉A
2
(g) 0 ∈ E (h) A = C (i) 0 ∉ D
(j) 0∈C (k) 3 ∈C (l) E≠F

Answers:
1. P ' = {3, 4, 14, 15, 16} , Q ' = {3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16}
2. (a) T (b) T (c) F (d) F (e) F (f) T (g) T (h) T (i) F (j) F (k) F (l) T

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Level 2 (Core)

1. State whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE

(a) 2 ∉ A , where A is the set of prime numbers. ( )

(b) 3 ∈ B , where B is the set containing the factors of 87. ( )

(c) {5} ∈  ( )

(d) {7} ⊆ D , where D is the set containing the factors of 14. ( )

(e) −5 ∈ { x : x 2 =25} ( )

(f) {i, c, e} ∈ E , where E is the set containing the letters of the word “isosceles”.
( )

(g) {r} ∈ { p, q, {r} , {s}} ( )

(h) {8, 9} ⊂ {6, 8, 9, 12} ( )

(i) =
∅ { x=
:x k 2 where k ∈ } ( )

(j) ∅⊂ ( )

(k) {bus} ⊆ {s, u, b, m, a, r, i, n, e} ( )

(l) {F, r, i, d, a, y} ⊆ {Friday} ( )

2. ξ = {a, b, c, d , e, f , g , h} ,
A = {a, c, e} and
B = {b, d , f , h} .

(a) List the elements in sets A ' and B ' .

(b) Hence find an element x such that x ∉ A and x ∉ B .
(c) Is A a proper subset of B ' ?

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3. {
S =x : x 2 < 15 and x ∈  and}
T is the set containing the factors of 45.

(a) List the elements in sets S and T .

(b) Find an element x such that x ∈ S and x ∉ T .
(c) List the elements in set U , where U ={ x : x ∈ S or x ∈ T } and state n (U ) .

4. {x : x =
ξ= 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., 9}
2k + 1 for k =
 4 15 
=A x : x + 2 ≥ 2x − 
 3 4
B = { x : x is a prime number}
(a) List the elements in sets A and B .
(b) Draw a Venn Diagram to illustrate the relationship between the sets ξ , A and B .
(c) Describe, using set-builder notation, the elements in the set A ' .

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 E. Intersection and Union of Sets

Set Notation for Intersection and Union of Two Sets

A∩ B The intersection of two sets A and B is the set

A containing elements which belong to both A and B .
B
The shaded region represents A ∩ B.

A∪ B The union of two sets A and B is the set containing

elements which are in A or in B or in both.
A B
The shaded region represents A ∪ B.

EXAMPLE 14
If A = {r, a, c, k} and B = {t, e, a, k} , find A ∩ B and A ∪ B .

Two sets are disjoint if they do not have any common elements. ξ
A
Therefore, if A and B are disjoint, B
n(A ∩ B ) =
0, A∩ B =∅ , A ⊆ B′ or B ⊆ A′ .

NOTE
1. The union or intersection of two sets is still a set, and
,
, ,

2. For any 2 sets and ,

Rearrange,

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EXAMPLE 15
If n ( A ) = 28 , n ( B ) = 17 and n ( A ∪ B ) =
35 , find the value of n ( A ∩ B ) .

EXAMPLE 16
If B ⊆ A ' , n ( A ) = 19 and n ( B ) = 22 , write down the values of n ( A ∩ B ) and n ( A ∪ B ) .

EXAMPLE 17
ξ
= { x : 2 ≤ x ≤ 10, x ∈ } ,
A is the set of prime numbers and
=B {=
x:x 3k , k ∈ } .

(a) Find n ( A ∪ B ) .
(b) List the elements in A '∩ B ' .

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EXAMPLE 18
ξ is the set of all triangles,
A is the set of isosceles triangles,
B is the set of equilateral triangles and
C is the set of right-angled triangles.
(a) Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the relationship between the sets ξ , A , B and C .
(b) Simplify each of the following.
(i) A∪ B
(ii) A∩ B
(iii) B ∩C

EXAMPLE 19
{( x, y ) : x + 2 y =
Given P = −10, x ∈ , y ∈ } and Q
= {( x, y ) : 3x − =
y 19, x ∈ , y ∈ } ,
find P ∩ Q .

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F. Shading of Sets in Venn Diagrams

Blended Learning Online Activity:

Students to access HeyMath! online lesson on “Year 2 Mathematics”  “Introductory Set

Theory”  “Drawing Venn Diagrams”  “Venn Diagram, 2 sets”

We shade regions in a Venn diagram to illustrate the set defined by an expression of set
notations.

EXAMPLE 20
In each of following Venn diagrams, shade the region indicated by the set.
(a) A∪ B' (b) A∩ B'
ξ ξ
A B A B

(c) ( A ∩ B) ' (d) ( A ∪ B) '

ξ ξ
A B A B

(e) A '∪ B ' (f) A '∩ B '

ξ ξ
A B A B

(g) ( A ∩ B ') ' (h) A '∪ B

ξ ξ
A B A B

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 What do you observe from Example 5(c) and (e)?
What about Example 5(d) and (f)?
Any other observation(s)?

De Morgan’s Laws
( A ∩ B) ' =
( A ∪ B) ' =

G. Represent Shaded Regions in Venn Diagrams Using Set Notations

We can also represent shaded regions in a Venn diagram with set notations. Note that we have
to represent the shaded region with the least number of set notations possible so that the
expression is simplified.

EXAMPLE 21
Express in set notation, the set represented by each of the following shaded regions below.
(a) (b)
ξ ξ
A A
B B

_________________________ _________________________

(c) (d)
ξ ξ
A B A B

_________________________ _________________________

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H. Homework 2

Level 1 (Self-Practice)
1. ξ = { p , q , r , s , t} ,
A = {r , t } ,
B = {q, r , s} and
C = {q, s} .
List the elements in A '∩ ( B ∪ C ) .

2. ξ
= { x : 3 ≤ x ≤ 16, x ∈ } ,

A
= { x : 5 < x ≤ 13} ,
P is the set of prime numbers in A .
(a) Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the relationship between the sets.
(b) List the elements in the set ( A ∩ P ) ' .
(c) Find n ( A '∩ P ') .

Answers:
1. {q, s}
2. (b) ( A ∩ P) ' =
{3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16} (c) 6

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Level 2 (Core)

1. P is the set of quadrilaterals with 4 right angles,

Q is the set of quadrilaterals with 4 equal sides and
R is the set of quadrilaterals with 2 pairs of parallel sides.

(a) List the elements in P , Q and R .

(b) Suggest a universal set for these sets.
(c) Find (i) P ∩Q , (ii) Q∩R.
(d) Use set notation to represent the relationship between P and R .

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2. A and B are two sets and the number of elements in ξ
each set is shown in the Venn diagram.
A B
Given that n ( A) = n ( B ) , calculate
(a) the value of x , 3x 3 2x + 8
(b) n ( A ∪ B ) and n ( A ∩ B′) .

3. The set P ( n ) is the set of prime factors of n , where n is a positive integer greater than 1.
For example, P (12 ) = {2, 3} .
List the elements in each of the following sets.
(a) P ( 60 )
(b) P (18 ) ∩ P (15 )
(c) P ( 30 ) ∪ P ( 48 )

22
4. Draw separate Venn diagrams to illustrate each of following relations between the sets
A and B . No shading is required.
(a) A∩ B =B
(b) A∩ B =∅
(c) A '∩ B =∅
(d) A'∪ B ' =
B'
(e) ( A ∩ B) ' =
A'

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5. In each of following Venn diagrams, shade the region indicated by the set.
(a) ( P '∪ Q) ' (b) ( P ∪ Q ') '
ξ ξ

P Q P Q

(c) P ∪Q' (d) ( P ∩ Q) '

ξ ξ

P P
Q Q

(e) P '∪ Q ' (f) P '∩ Q '

ξ ξ

P P
Q Q

(g) ( P '∪ Q ) ' (h) ( P ∪ Q ') '

ξ ξ

P P
Q Q

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Level 3 (Challenge Yourself)

1. (a) In each of following Venn diagrams, shade the region indicated by the set.
(i) A∩(B ∪C) , (ii) ( A ∩ B) ∪ ( A ∩ C )

(b) What is the relationship between A ∩ ( B ∪ C ) and ( A ∩ B ) ∪ ( A ∩ C ) ?

2. A positive integer is called a perfect number if the sum of its factors except itself is
equal to the integer. For example, the factors of 6, except itself, are 1, 2 and 3.
As 1 + 2 + 3 =,6 6 is a perfect number.
(a) Let P = { x : x is a perfect number} . Determine whether each of the following
is true or false.
(i) 24 ∈ P (ii) 28 ∈ P

(b) Let
= Q {=
x:x }
2n −1 ( 2n − 1) , where n is a positive integer greater than 1 .
(i) Write down 6 elements of Q .
(ii) List 4 elements of P ∩ Q .

Answers:
1. (b) They are equivalent.
2. (a)(i) 24 ∉ P (ii) 28 ∈ P
(b)(i) Q = {6, 28, 120, 496, 2016, 8128} {6, 28, 496, 8128}
(ii) P ∩ Q =

25
I. For Your Interest

Given any 2 sets A and B , their relationship is either of the following:

A B A B B A
A B

When do the greatest and least values of n( A ∩ B ) and n( A ∪ B ) occur?

QUESTIONS (OPTIONAL)
1. If n ( A ) = 16 and n ( B ) = 21 , find the greatest and least values of
(a) n ( A ∩ B) , (b) n ( A ∪ B) .

2. If n (ξ ) = 40 , n ( A ) = 24 and n ( B ) = 19 , find the greatest and least values of

(a) n ( A ∩ B) , (b) n ( A ∪ B) .

3. If n (ξ ) = 100 , n ( A ) = 70 and n ( B ) = 55 , find the greatest and least possible values

of n ( A '∩ B ) .

4. If n (ξ ) = 40 , n ( A ) = 10 and n ( B ) = 24 , find the greatest and least values of

(a) n ( A ∩ B) ' ,
(b) n ( A ∪ B) ' .

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J. For Your Interest

Why are Greek letters used in mathematical & scientific equations?

There are several reasons why there are many Greek letters that have been adopted into
common use for constants in equations.

First, of course, it is necessary to realise that many of our standard letters are widely used,
especially for variables: x, y, z are some common examples, but others are used as well.

Many letters from the Greek alphabet are used as constants within equations and formulas. Π,
Θ , as well as α, β, θ and the like are widely used and seen representing the values or constants
for a variety of values.

The roots of the usage of Greek letters comes from the earliest philosophers like Aristotle, and
Diophantus and others. They used letters from the Greek alphabet as symbols to represent
various variables. Although later civilisations used their own letters, the use of Greek letters
tended to be used down the ages - people tended to use what was already established.

Today there are advantages to using Greek alphabet symbols. They are more distinctive than
the normal alphabet in everyday use and they are less likely to be confused with the language
text within mathematical work being written.

It is really a matter of convenience as well as the reduction of confusion that has led to the
continued use of Greek alphabet symbols being used to represent constants and sometimes
variables in equations.

Scan this QR code to learn how to pronounce some commonly

used Greek symbols.

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