CHAPTER

SETS
2
Prepared By: BALABHADRA SURESH, SA (MATHS)

1. Set theory was introduced by Georg Cantor

2. A set is a collection of things that have something in common or follow a rule.
3. The things in the set are called “elements”.
4. Set notation uses braces { } with elements separated by commas. .
5. Sets are generally denoted by capital letters of English alphabet A, B, C......
6. Set of natural numbers N= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,………}
7. Set of whole numbers W={0,1,2,3,4,5,6,……}
8. Set of Integers Z={…….-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,4…..}
9. Set of even numbers E= {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …}
10. Set of odd numbers O = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …….}
11. Set of prime numbers P= {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, …..}
12. Set of composite numbers C= {4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, ……}
13. 𝑎 is an element of a set A then we write 𝑎 ∈ A ( 𝑎 is belongs to A)
14. 𝑎 is not an element of a set A then we write 𝑎 ∉ A ( 𝑎 is does not belong to A)
Example: 𝐴 = {2, 5, 6, 8} then 2 ∈ 𝐴, 5 ∈ 𝐴, 6 ∈ 𝐴, 8 ∈ 𝐴, 1 ∉ 𝐴, 3 ∉ 𝐴

Page No-27

Write the following sets.

1) Set of the first five positive integers.
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
2) Set of multiples of 5 which are more than 100 and less than 125.
{105, 110, 115, 120}
3) Set of first five cubic numbers.
{1, 8, 27, 64, 125}
4) Set of digits in the Ramanujan number.
{ 1, 7, 2, 9}

Page No-28

Set of natural numbers N ,set of integers Z, set of rational numbers Q, and set of real numbers R
Some numbers are given below. Decide the numbers to which number sets they belong to and
does not belong to and express with correct symbols.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 1

 i) 1
1 ∈ N, 1 ∈ Z, 1 ∈ Q, 1∈R
ii) 0
0 ∉ N, 0 ∈ Z, 0 ∈ Q, 0∈R
iii) -4
−4 ∉ N, −4 ∈ Z, −4 ∈ Q, −4 ∈ R
5
iv) 6

5 5 5 5
∉ 𝑁, ∉ 𝑍, ∈ 𝑄, ∈𝑅
6 6 6 6
v) 1. 3̅
1. 3̅ ∉ 𝑁, 1. 3̅ ∉ 𝑍, 1. 3̅ ∈ 𝑄, 1. 3̅ ∈ 𝑅
vi) √2
√2 ∉ N, √2 ∉ Z, √2 ∉ Q, √2 ∈ R
vii)log 2
log 2 ∉ 𝑁, log 2 ∉ 𝑍, log 2 ∉ 𝑄, log 2 ∈ 𝑅
viii) 0.03
0.03 ∉ 𝑁, 0.03 ∉ 𝑍, 0.03 ∈ 𝑄, 0.03 ∈ 𝑅
ix) 𝜋
𝜋 ∉ 𝑁, 𝜋 ∉ 𝑍, 𝜋 ∉ 𝑄, 𝜋∈𝑅
x) √−4
√−4 ∉ 𝑁, √−4 ∉ 𝑍, √−4 ∉ 𝑄, √−4 ∉ 𝑅

ROSTER FORM:
The elements of the set, separated by commas, inside a set of curly brackets. This way of
describing a set is called roster form.
SET BUILDER FORM:
When we write a set by defining its elements with a “common property”, we can say that the set
is in the “set builder form”
Example: roaster form A = {3,6,9,12,15,18}
Set builder form A = {𝑥: 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 < 20}(𝑜𝑟){𝑥: 𝑥 = 3𝑛, 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁, 𝑛 ≤ 6}
Roster form Set builder form
V = {a, e, i, o, u} V = {x : x is a vowel in the english alphabet}
A = {-2,-1,0,1,2} A = {x : -2x2, x Z }
1 1 1 1 1
𝐵 = {1, , , , } B = {𝑥 ∶ 𝑥 = , 𝑛 𝑁 , 𝑛5}
2 3 4 5 𝑛
C = {2,5,10,17} 𝐶 = {𝑥 ∶ 𝑥 = 𝑛2 + 1, 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁, 𝑛 ≤ 4}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 2

 Page No-29

1. List the elements of the following sets.

(i) G = {all the factors of 20}
G = {1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 }
(ii) F = {the multiples of 4 between 17 and 61 which are divisible by 7}
𝐹 = {28,56}
(iii) S = {x : x is a letter in the word 'MADAM'}
S = {M, A, D}
(iv) P = {x : x is a whole number between 3.5 and 6.7}
P = {4, 5, 6}
2. Write the following sets in the roster form.
(i) B is the set of all months in a year having 30 days
B = {𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙, 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑒, 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟}
(ii) P is the set of all prime numbers smaller than 10.
P= {2, 3, 5, 7}
(iii) X is the set of the colours of the rainbow.
X = {Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red }
3. A is the set of factors of 12. Which one of the following is not a member of A.
𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12} 5 is not a member of A.

Solution: (i)-(d), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(b)

1. Which of the following are sets? Justify your answer.

(i) The collection of all the months of a year beginning with the letter “J”.
Sol: It is a set
{ January, June, July}
(ii) The collection of ten most talented writers of India.
Sol: Not a set.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 3

 Not a well-defined collection because the criteria for determining a writer's talent may
vary from person to person. Hence, this collection is not a set.
(iii) A team of eleven best cricket batsmen of the world.
Sol: Not a set
Not a well-defined collection because the criteria for determining a batmen’s
talent may vary from person to person. Hence, this collection is not a set.
(iv) The collection of all boys in your class.
Sol: It is a set
The collection of all boys in your class is a well-defined collection because any boy who
belongs to this collection can be easily identified.
2. If A={0, 2, 4, 6}, B = {3, 5, 7} and C = {p, q, r}then fill the appropriate symbol,  or  in the
blanks.
∈ A (ii) 3 …..
(i) 0 ….. ∉ C (iii) 4 …..
∉ B (iv) 8 …..
∉ A (v) p …..
∈ C (vi) 7 …..
∈ B
3. Express the following statements using symbols.
(i) The elements ‘𝑥’ does not belong to ‘A’.
Sol: 𝑥 ∉ A
(ii) ‘d’ is an element of the set ‘B’.
Sol: 𝑑 ∉ B
(iii) ‘1’ belongs to the set of Natural numbers N.
Sol: 1 ∈ N
(iv) ‘8’ does not belong to the set of prime numbers P.
Sol: 8 ∉ P
4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Justify your answer.
(i) 5 set of prime numbers.
Sol: False. 5 is a prime number.
(ii) S = {5, 6, 7} implies 8  S.
Sol: False. 8 is does not belongs to S.
(iii) -5  W where ‘W’ is the set of whole numbers.
Sol: True. -5 is not a whole number.
8
(iv)  Z where ‘Z’ is the set of integers.
11
8
Sol: False. 11 is not an integer.

5. Write the following sets in roster form.

(i) B = {x : x is a natural number smaller than 6}
Sol: B={1,2,3,4,5}
(ii) C = {x : x is a two-digit natural number such that the sum of its digits is 8}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 4

 Sol: 𝐶 = {17, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, 71, 80}
(iii) D = {x : x is a prime number which is a divisor of 60}
Sol: 𝐷 = {2, 3, 5}
(iv) E = {x : x is an alphabet in BETTER}.
Sol: 𝐸 = {𝐵, 𝐸, 𝑇, 𝑅}
6. Write the following sets in the set-builder form.
(i) {3, 6, 9, 12}
Sol: {𝑥: 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 3 , 𝑥 < 13} (or) {𝑥: 𝑥 = 3𝑛, 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 ≤ 4}
(ii) {2, 4, 8, 16, 32}
Sol: {𝑥: 𝑥 = 2𝑛 , 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁, 𝑛 ≤ 5}
(iii) {5, 25, 125, 625}
Sol: {𝑥: 𝑥 = 5𝑛 , 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁, 𝑛 ≤ 4}
(iv) {1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ….. 100}
Sol: {𝑥: 𝑥 = 𝑛2 , 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁, 𝑛 ≤ 10}
7. Write the following sets in roster form.
(i) A = {x : x is a natural number greater than 50 but smaller than 100}
Sol: 𝐴 = {51, 52, 53, … … … … . ,98,99}
(ii) B = {x : x is an integer, x 2 = 4}.
Sol: 𝐵 = {−2, 2}
(iii) D = {x : x is a letter in the word “LOYAL”}
Sol: 𝐷 = {𝐿, 𝑂, 𝑌, 𝐴}
8. Match the roster form with set builder form.
(i) {1, 2, 3, 6} (c) {x : x is a natural number and divisor of 6}
(ii) {2, 3} (a) {x : x is prime number and a divisor of 6}
(iii) {M, A, T, H, E, I, C, S} (d) {x : x is a letter of the word MATHEMATICS}
(iv) {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} (b) {x : x is an odd natural number smaller than 10}
EMPTY SET (or) NULL SET:
A set which does not contain any element is called an empty set, or a Null set, or a void set.
Empty set is denoted by the symbol  or { }.
 and {0} are two different sets. {0} is a set containing an element 0 while  has no elements
(null set).
Example: (i) A = {x : 1 < x < 2, x is a natural number}
(ii) B = {x : x 2 – 2 = 0 and x is a rational number}
(iii) C = {x : x is natural number smaller than 1}
(iv) D = {x : x is a odd number divisible by 2}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 5

SUBSET:
i. If every element of set A is an element of set B then we say that A is sub set of B.
ii. Denoted by 𝐴 ⊆ 𝐵
iii. A,B are two sets then 𝐴 ⊂ 𝐵 ⇔ (𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 ⇒ 𝑥 ∈ 𝐵)
iv. Empty set  is a sub set of all sets.
v. Every set is a subset to itself.
vi. 𝑁 ⊂ 𝑊 ⊂ 𝑄 ⊂ 𝑅 and 𝑄′ ⊂ 𝑅
vii. Number of elements in a set are ‘n’ then number of subsets to the set =2 n

Page No-33

1. A = {1, 2, 3, 4}, B = {2, 4}, C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 7},  = { }. Fill in the blanks with  or  .
⊄ B (ii) C …..
(i) A ….. ⊄ A (iii) B ….. ⊂ C (vi)  …..
⊂ C (v) B …..
⊂ A (iv) A ….. ⊂B
2. State which of the following statement are true.
(i) { } =  - True (ii)  = 0 – False (iii) 0 = { 0 }- False

Page No-33

1. A = {set of quadrilaterals}, B = {square, rectangle, trapezium, rhombus}. State whether

A ⊂B or B ⊂ A. Justify your answer.
Sol: B ⊂ A and A ⊄B
Justification: All elements of B are quadrilaterals which are belongs to A. So B ⊂ A
Kite is a quadrilateral which does not belongs to A. so A ⊄B
2. If A = {a, b, c, d}. How many subsets does the set A have?
Sol: Number of elements in set A=4
Number of subsets to the set A=24=16
3. P is the set of factors of 5, Q is the set of factors of 25 and R is the set of factors of 125.
Which one of the following is false?
Sol: 𝑃 = {1,5}, 𝑄 = {1, 5, 25} 𝑅 = {1, 5, 25, 125}
(A) 𝑃 ⊂ 𝑄 → 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 (B) 𝑄 ⊂ 𝑅 → 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 (C) 𝑅 ⊂ 𝑃 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 (D) 𝑃 ⊂ 𝑅 → 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒
4. A is the set of prime numbers less than 10, B is the set of odd numbers less than 10 and C
is the set of even numbers less than 10. Which of the following statements are true?
Sol: 𝐴 = {2, 3, 5, 7} 𝐵 = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} 𝐶 = {2, 4, 6, 8}
(i) 𝐴 ⊂ 𝐵 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 (ii) 𝐵 ⊂ 𝐴 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 (iii) 𝐴 ⊂ 𝐶 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒
(iv) 𝐶 ⊂ 𝐴 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 (v) 𝐵 ⊂ 𝐶 → 𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 (vi) 𝜙 ⊂ 𝐴 → 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒

i. Venn-diagram is one of the ways of representing the relationships between sets.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 6

 ii. These diagrams are introduced by John Venn and Leonhard Euler . So it is also called
Venn-Euler diagram.
UNION OF SETS :
The union of A and B is the set which consists of all the elements of A and B. The symbol ‘∪’ is
used to denote the union. We write A ∪ B.
A ∪ B = {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ∈ 𝐵}
Example-1. Let A = {2, 5, 6, 8} and B = {5, 7, 9, 1}. Find A ∪ B.
Sol: A ∪ B = {2, 5, 6, 8} ∪ {5, 7, 9, 1}
= {1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}.
Example-2 . Let A = {a, e, i, o, u} and B = {a, i, u}. Show that A ∪ B = A.
Sol: 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖, 𝑜, 𝑢} ∪ {𝑎, 𝑖, 𝑢}
= {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖, 𝑜, 𝑢} = A.
Example-3: If A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {2, 4, 6, 8}. Find 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵.
Sol: 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = {1, 2, 3, 4} ∪ {2, 4, 6, 8}
= {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8}
INTERSECTION OF SETS :
The intersection of sets A and B is the set of all elements which are common in both A and B.
We denote intersection symbolically by as A ∩B (read as “A intersection B”).
A ∩ B = {𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ∈ 𝐵}
Example-4. Find A ∩ B when A = {5, 6, 7, 8} and B = {7, 8, 9, 10}
Sol: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {5, 6, 7, 8} ∩ {7, 8, 9, 10}
= {7, 8}
Example-5. If A = {1, 2, 3} and B = {3, 4, 5}, then illustrate A ∩ B in Venn-diagrams.
Sol: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1, 2, 3} ∩ {3, 4, 5}
= {3}
DISJOINT SETS
If two sets have no common elements then they are called disjoint sets.
If 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = ∅ then A,B are disjoint sets.
Examples: (i) 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3} 𝐵 = {7, 8,10}

Page No-37

1. Let A = {1, 3, 7, 8} and B = {2, 4, 7, 9}. Find A ∩ B.

Sol: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1, 3, 7, 8} ∩ {2, 4, 7, 9} = {7}
2. If A = {6, 9, 11}; B = { }, find A ∪ ∅ .
Sol: 𝐴 ∪ ∅ = {6, 9, 11} ∪ { } = {6, 9, 11} = 𝐴
3. A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}; B = {2, 3, 5, 7}. Find A ∩ B.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 7

 Sol: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10} ∩ {2,3,5,7}
= {2,3,5,7} = 𝐵
∴ 𝐴∩𝐵 = 𝐵
4. If A = {4, 5, 6}; B = {7, 8} then show that A ∪ B = B ∪ A.
Sol: 𝐴 ∪ B = {4,5,6} ∪ {7,8} = {4,5,6,7,8}
B ∪ A = {7,8} ∪ {4,5,6} = {4,5,6,7,8}
∴ A∪B =B∪A

Page No-37

1. List out some sets A and B and choose their elements such that A and B are disjoint.
Sol: (i) 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = {5, 6, 7, 8}
(ii) 𝐴 = {𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = {𝑜𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠}
(iii) 𝑃 = {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖 } 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄 = {𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑓, 𝑔}
2. If A = {2, 3, 5}, find A ∪ ∅ and ∅ ∪ A and compare.
Sol: A ∪ ∅ = {2,3,4} ∪ { } = {2,3,4} = 𝐴
∅ ∪ A = { } ∪ {2,3,4} = {2,3,4} = 𝐴
∴ A∪∅ =∅∪A = A
3. If A = {1, 2, 3, 4} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}, then find A ∪ 𝐵 and A ∩ 𝐵. What do you
notice about the result?
Sol: A ∪ 𝐵 = {1,2,3,4} ∪ {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}
= {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} = B
A ∩ 𝐵 = {1,2,3,4} ∩ {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}
= {1,2,3,4} = A
If A ⊂ B then A ∪ B = B and 𝐴 ∩ B = A .
4. Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} and B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}. Find the intersection of A and B.
Sol: intersection of A and B= A ∩ B = {1,2,3,4,5,6} ∩ {2,4,6,8,10}
= {2,4,6}

Sol: Yes. The intersection of any two disjoint sets is a null set.
A ∩ 𝐵 means set of common elements of A and B . If A and B are disjoint sets then they have
no common elements. So A ∩ 𝐵 = ∅.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 8

The difference set of sets A and B as the set of elements which belong to A but do not belong to B.
We denote the difference of A and B by A – B or simply “A minus B”.
𝐴 – 𝐵 = {𝑥 ∶ 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ∉ 𝐵}.
Example-6. Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; B = {4, 5, 6, 7}. Find A – B and B – A. Are they equal?
Sol: A – B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} – {4, 5, 6, 7}
= {1, 2, 3}
B – A = {4, 5, 6, 7} – {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
= {6, 7}
A−B ≠ B−A

Page No-38

2. If V = {a, e, i, o, u} and B = {a, i, k, u}, find V – B and B – V.

Sol: V − B = {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖, 𝑜, 𝑢} − {𝑎, 𝑖, 𝑘, 𝑢}
= {𝑒, 𝑜}
B − V = {𝑎, 𝑖, 𝑘, 𝑢} − {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖, 𝑜, 𝑢}
= {𝑘}

Sol: Let 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} 𝐵 = {4, 5, 6, 7}

A – B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} – {4, 5, 6, 7}
= {1, 2, 3}
B – A = {4, 5, 6, 7} – {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
= {6, 7}
𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} ∩ {4, 5, 6, 7}
= {4, 5}
(𝐴 – 𝐵) ∩ (𝐵 – 𝐴 ) = {1, 2, 3} ∩ {6, 7} = ∅
(𝐵 – 𝐴 ) ∩ (𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = {6, 7} ∩ {4, 5} = ∅
(𝐴 – 𝐵) ∩ (𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = {1, 2, 3} ∩ {4, 5} = ∅
∴ The sets A – B, B – A and A  B are mutually disjoint sets.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 9

 VEN DIAGRAMS:

B 𝜇

𝐴⊂𝐵

1. If A = {1, 2, 3, 4}; B = {1, 2, 3, 5, 6} then find A  B and B  A. Are they equal?

Sol: 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {1,2,3,4} ∩ {1,2,3,5,6}
= { 1,2,3}
𝐵 ∩ 𝐴 = {1,2,3,5,6} ∩ {1,2,3,4}
= { 1,2,3}
∴ A∩B= B∩A
2. A = {0, 2, 4}, find A  and A  A. Comment.
Sol: : A ∩ ∅ = {0,2,4} ∩ { } = { } = ∅

A ∩ A = {0,2,4} ∩ {0,2,4} = {0,2,4} = A

∴ A ∩ ∅ = ∅ and A ∩ A = A
3. If A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} and B = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15}, find A – B and B – A.
Sol: A − B = {2,4,6,8,10} − {3,6,9,12,15}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 10

 = { 2,4,8,10}
B − A = {3,6,9,12,15} − {2,4,6,8,10}
= {3,9,12,15}
4. If A and B are two sets such that A  B then what is A  B?
Sol: If A  B then what is A  B=B.
5. If A = {x : x is a natural number}, B = {x : x is an even natural number}
C = {x : x is an odd natural number} and D = {x : x is a prime number}
Find A  B, A  C, A  D, B  C, B  D, C  D.
Sol: A={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,…}
B={2,4,6,8,10,12,14,…….}
C={1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,….}
D={2,3,5,7,11,13,……….}
𝐴 ∩ B ={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,…} ∩ {2,4,6,8,10,12,14, … … . }
={2,4,6,8,10,12,14,…….} =B
𝐴 ∩ C = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,…} ∩ {1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,….}
= {1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,….} = C
𝐴 ∩ D ={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,…} ∩ {2,3,5,7,11,13,……….}
={2,3,5,7,11,13,……….} = D
B ∩ C ={2,4,6,8,10,12,14,…….} ∩ {1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15, … . }
={ } =∅
B ∩ D = {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,…….} ∩ {2,3,5,7,11,13, … … … . }
= { 2}
C ∩ D = {1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15, … . } ∩ {2,3,5,7,11,13, … … … . }
= {3,5,7,11,13, … … … . }

6. If A = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21}; B = {4, 8, 12, 16, 20} C = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16};
D = {5, 10, 15, 20} find
(i) 𝐴 − 𝐵 (ii) 𝐴 − 𝐶 (iii) 𝐴 − 𝐷 (iv) 𝐵 − 𝐴 (v) 𝐶 − 𝐴

(vi) 𝐷 − 𝐴 (vii) 𝐵 − 𝐶 (viii) 𝐵 − 𝐷 (ix) 𝐶 − 𝐵 (x) 𝐷 − 𝐵

Sol: (i) 𝐴 − 𝐵 = {3,6,9,12,15,18,21} − {4,8,12,16,20}

= {3,6,9,15,18,21}
(ii) 𝐴 − 𝐶 = {3,6,9,12,15,18,21} − {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16}
= {3,9,15,18,21}
(iii) 𝐴 − 𝐷 = {3,6,9,12,15,18,21} − {5,10,15,20}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 11

 = {3,6,9,12,18,21}
(iv) 𝐵 − 𝐴 = {4,8,12,16,20} − {3,6,9,12,15,18,21}
= {4,8,16,20}
(v) 𝐶 − 𝐴 = {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16} − {3,6,9,12,15,18,21}
= {2,4,8,10,14,16}
(vi) D − A = {5,10,15,20} − {3,6,9,12,15,18,21}
= {5,10,20}
(vii) B − C = {4,8,12,16,20} − {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16}
= {20}
(viii) B − D = {4,8,12,16,20} − {5,10,15,20}
= {4,8,12,16}
(ix) C − B = {2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16} − {4,8,12,16,20}
= {2,6,10,14}
(x) D − B = {5,10,15,20} − {4,8,12,16,20}
= {5,10,15}
7. State whether each of the following statement is true or false. Justify you answers.
(i) {2, 3, 4, 5} and {3, 6} are disjoint sets.
Sol: False. Both sets have a common element 3 so they are not disjoint sets.
(ii) {a, e, i, o, u} and {a, b, c, d} are disjoint sets.
Sol: False. Both sets have a common element ‘a’ so they are not disjoint sets.
(iii) {2, 6, 10, 14} and {3, 7, 11, 15} are disjoint sets.
Sol: True . Both sets have no common elements so they are disjoint sets.
(iv) {2, 6, 10} and {3, 7, 11} are disjoint sets.
Sol: True . Both sets have no common elements so they are disjoint sets.

Two sets A and B are said to be equal if every element in A belongs to B (i.e. A B) and every
element in B belongs to A (i.e. B  A).
If B  A and A  B A = B. Here  is the symbol read as ‘ if and only if’ ( “iff” )
Example-7. If A = {p, q, r} and B = {q, p, r}, then check whether A=B or not.
Sol: The elements are same in both the sets. Therefore A=B.
Examples-8. If A = {1, 2, 3, ….} and N is a set of natural numbers, then check whether A and N are
equal?
Sol: The elements are same in both the sets. Therefore A=N.
Example-9. Consider the sets A = {p, q, r, s} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4}. Are they equal?
Solution : A and B do not contain the same elements. So, A  B

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 12

Example-10. Let A be the set of prime numbers smaller than 6 and P the set of prime factors of
30. Check if A and P are equal.
Solution : The set of prime numbers less than 6, A = { 2,3,5}
The prime factors of 30 are 2, 3 and 5. So, P = { 2,3,5}
The elements are same in both the sets. Therefore A=P.
Example-11. Show that the sets A and B are equal, where
A = {x : x is a letter in the word ‘ASSASSINATION’}
B = {x : x is a letter in the word STATION}
Sol: 𝐴 = {𝐴, 𝑆, 𝐼, 𝑁, 𝑇, 𝑂}
𝐵 = {𝑆, 𝑇, 𝐴, 𝐼, 𝑂, 𝑁}
The elements of A and B are same so A = B.
Example-12. Consider the sets  , A = {1, 3}, B = {1, 5, 9}, C = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}. Insert the symbol  or
 between each of the following pair of sets. (i)  ….. B (ii) A ….. B (iii) A ….. C (iv) B ….. C
Solution: (i)   B, as  is a subset of every set.
(ii) A  B, for 3  A but 3  B.
(iii) A  C as each element of A is also an element of C.
(iv) B  C as each element of B is also an element of C.

1. Which of the following sets are equal?

(i) A = {x : x is a letter in the word FOLLOW} ={F, O, L, W}
(ii) B = {x : x is a letter in the word FLOW} ={F, L, O, W}
(iii) C = {x : x is a letter in the word WOLF}={W, O, L, F}
Sol: The elements are same in A,B and C . So A=B=C(A,B,C are equal sets)
2. Consider the following sets and fill up the blank in the statement given below with = or  so
as to make the statement true.
Sol: A = {1, 2, 3}; B = {The first three natural numbers}={1, 2, 3}
C = {a, b, c, d}; D = {d, c, a, b} E = {a, e, i, o, u};
F = {set of vowels in English Alphabet} = {a, e, i, o, u}
(i) A=B (ii) A ≠ E (iii) C = D (iv) D ≠ F

(v) F ≠ A (vi) D ≠ E (vii) F ≠ B

3. In each of the following, state whether A = B or not.

(i) A = {a, b, c, d} B = {d, c, a, b}
Sol: The elements of A and B are same . So A = B
(ii) A = {4, 8, 12, 16} B = {8, 4, 16, 18}

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 13

 Sol: 12 ∈ 𝐴 𝑏𝑢𝑡 12 ∉ 𝐵. So A ≠ B
(iii) A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} B = {x : x is a positive even integer and x 10}={2,4,6,8,10}
Sol: The elements of A and B are same . So A = B
(iv) A = {x : x is a multiple of 10} B = {10, 15, 20, 25, 30, …}
Sol:15 ∈ 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 15 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 10 ⇒ 15 ∉ 𝐴 . So A ≠ B.
4. State the reasons for the following :
(i) {1, 2, 3, …., 10}  {x : x  N and 1 < x < 10}={2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}
Sol:10 ∈ 𝐿𝐻𝑆 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 10 ∉ 𝑅𝐻𝑆 set
(ii) {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}  {x : x = 2n+1 and n  N}={3,5,7,9,…}
Sol: 2 ∈ 𝐿𝐻𝑆 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 ∉ 𝑅𝐻𝑆 set.
(iii) {5, 15, 30, 45}  {x : x is a multiple of 15}={15,30,45,…}
Sol: 5 ∈ 𝐿𝐻𝑆 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5 ∉ 𝑅𝐻𝑆 set.
(iv) {2, 3, 5, 7, 9}  {x : x is a prime number}
Sol: 9 is not a prime number.
5. List all the subsets of the following sets.
(i) B = {p, q}
Sol: Number of elements in B=2. Number of subsets to B=2 2=4
Subsets of B are
∅, {p}, {q}, B
(ii) C = {x, y, z}
Sol: Number of elements in C=3. Number of subsets to C=23=8
Subsets of C are
∅, {𝑥 }, {𝑦}, {𝑧}, {𝑥, 𝑦}, {𝑥, 𝑧}, {𝑦, 𝑧}, C
(iii) D = {a, b, c, d}
Sol: Number of elements in D=4. Number of subsets to D=24=16
Subsets of D are
∅, {𝑎}, {𝑏}, {𝑐 }, {𝑑 }, {𝑎, 𝑏}, {𝑎, 𝑐 }, {𝑎, 𝑑 }, {𝑏, 𝑐 }, {𝑏, 𝑑 }, {𝑐, 𝑑 }, {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 }, {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑑 }, {𝑎, 𝑐, 𝑑 }, {𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 }, D
(iv) E = {1, 4, 9, 16}
Sol: Number of elements in E=4. Number of subsets to E=24=16
Subsets of E are
∅, {1}, {4}, {9}, {16}, {1,4}, {1,9}, {1,16}, {4,9}, {4,16}, {9,16}, {1,4,9}, {1,4,16}, {1,9,16}, {4,9,16}, E
(v) F = {10, 100, 1000}
Sol: Number of elements in F=3. Number of subsets to F=23=8
Subsets of F are
∅, {10}, {100}, {1000}, {10,100}, {10,1000}, {100,1000}, F

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 14

Finite & Infinite sets:
The finite set is countable and contains a finite number of elements.
The set which is not finite is known as the infinite set.
Example-13. State which of the following sets are finite or infinite.
(i) {x : x  N and (x  1) (x  2) = 0}
Sol: The set is {1,2}. Hence, it is finite.
(ii) {x : x  N and x 2 = 4}
Sol: x 2 = 4⇒ 𝑥 = √4 = 2(x is a natural number)
the set is{2}. Hence, it is finite.
(iii) {x : x  N and 2x  2 = 0}
2
Sol: 2x  2 = 0⇒ 2𝑥 = 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = = 1.
2

the set is {1}. Hence, it is finite.

(iv) {x : x  N and x is prime}
Sol:{2,3,5,7,………..} There are infinitely many prime numbers. Hence, set is infinite.
v) {x : x  N and x is odd}
Sol: {1,3,5,7,9…..} There are infinitely many odd numbers. Hence, set is infinite.
Cardinal number of a set:
The number of elements in a set is called the cardinal number of the set.
The cardinal number of the set A is denoted as n(A).
Example: i)A={1,5,7,9} then n(A)=4
ii) B={a,e,i,o,u} then n(B)=5
iii)𝜙 = { } then n(𝜙)=0

1. Which of the following are empty sets? Justify your answer.

(i) Set of integers which lie between 2 and 3.
Sol: Empty set. There are no integers lie between 2 and 3.
(ii) Set of natural numbers that are smaller than 1.
Sol: Empty set. There are no natural numbers that are smaller than 1.
(iii) Set of odd numbers that leave remainder zero, when divided by 2.
Sol: Empty set. There are no odd numbers that leave remainder zero, when divided by 2.
2 . State which of the following sets are finite and which are infinite. Give reasons for your
answer.
(i) A = {x : x  N and x < 100}
Sol: A={1,2,3,4,5,…..,98,99} . The number of elements in A is 99.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 15

 So A is finite set.
(ii) B = {x : x N and x ≤ 5}.
Sol: B={1,2,3,4,5}. The number of elements in A is 5.
So B is finite set.
(iii) C = {12, 22, 32, …}
Sol: The numbers of elements in C are not countable.
So C is infinite set.
(iv) D = {1, 2, 3, 4}
Sol: The number of elements in D is 4.
So D is finite set.
v) {x : x is a day of the week}.
Sol: The number of days of a week is 7 is countable. So it is finite set.
3. Tick the set which is infinite.
(A) The set of whole numbers < 10= {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}-Finite set
(B) The set of prime number < 10 = {2, 3, 5, 7}-Finite set
(C) The set of integers < 10={9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0,-1,-2,………}-Infinite set.
(D) The set of factors of 10= {1, 2, 5, 10}-Finite set.

1. Which of the following sets are empty sets? Justify your answer.
(i) A = {x : x 2 = 4 and 3x = 9}.
Sol: A is empty set.
9
𝑥 2 = 4 ⇒ 𝑥 = ±2 and 3𝑥 = 9 ⇒ 𝑥 = 3 = 3

There is no common 𝑥 value for given two equations.

(ii) The set of all triangles in a plane having the sum of their three angles less than 180.
Sol: Empty set.
The sum of angles in a triangle is 1800.
2. B = {x : x + 5 = 5} is not an empty set. Why?
Sol: 𝑥 + 5 = 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 5 − 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 0.
𝐵 = {0} is not an empty set

Sol: The number of elements in an empty set is ‘0’. So empty set is a finite set.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 16

 1. State which of the following sets are empty and which are not?
(i) The set of lines passing through a point.
Sol: Not empty.
There are infinite number of lines passing through a point.
(ii) Set of odd natural numbers divisible by 2.
Sol: Empty set.
There are no odd numbers divisible by 2.
(iii) {x : x is a natural number, x < 5 and x > 7}
Sol: Empty set
There are no natural numbers lees than 5 and greater than 7.
(iv) {x : x is a common point to any two parallel lines}
Sol: Empty set
Parallel lines have no common points.
v) Set of even prime numbers.
Sol: Not empty
Set of even prime numbers={2}.
2. Which of the following sets are finite or infinite.
(i) The set of months in a year.
Sol: Finite set.
There are 12 months in a year.
(ii) {1, 2, 3, …, 99, 100}
Sol: Finite set
The number of elements in the set are 100.
(iii) The set of prime numbers smaller than 99.
Sol: Finite set
Given set={2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31,37,41,43,47,53,59,61,67,71,73,79,83,89,97}.

There are 25 elements in the set.

3. State whether each of the following sets is finite or infinite.
(i) The set of letters in the English alphabet.
Sol: Finite set.
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet.
(ii) The set of lines which are parallel to the X-axis.
Sol: Infinite set.
We can draw infinite number of lines which are parallel to the X-axis.

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 17

 (iii) The set of numbers which are multiplies of 5.
Sol: Infinite set.
Set of multiples of 5={5,10,15,20,25,…….} which are infinite.
(iv) The set of circles passing through the origin (0, 0).
Sol: Infinite set
We can draw infinite number of circles passing through the origin (0, 0).
Example-14. If A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; B = {2, 4, 6, 8} then verify n(AB)=n(A)+n(B)-n(𝐴 ∩ B).
Sol: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} ∴ n(A)=5
B = {2, 4, 6, 8} ∴ n(B)=4
A ∪ B = {1,2,3,4,5} ∪ {2,4,6,8}
= {1,2,3,4,5,6,8} ∴ n(A ∪ B)=7
A ∩ B = {1,2,3,4,5} ∩ {2,4,6,8}
= {2,4} ∴ n(A ∩ B)=2

𝑛(𝐴) + 𝑛(𝐵) − 𝑛(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = 5 + 4 − 2 = 7=n(A ∪ B)

1. What is the relation between n(A), n(B), n(A B) and n(AB).
Sol: n(AB)=n(A)+n(B)-n(A ∩ B).
2. If A and B are disjoint sets, then how can you find n(AB).
Sol: If A and B are disjoint sets, then A ∩ B = ϕ ⇒ n(A ∩ B) = 0
If A and B are disjoint sets, then n(AB)=n(A)+n(B)
Some important points:
1. If 𝐴 ⊂ 𝐵 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 (𝑖 )𝐴⋃𝐵 = 𝐵 (𝑖𝑖 ) 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = 𝐴 (𝑖𝑖𝑖 ) 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝜙.
2. 𝑛(𝐴B) = 𝑛(𝐴 − 𝐵) + 𝑛(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) + 𝑛(𝐵 − 𝐴).
3. If A,B are disjoint sets then (i) 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝐴 (ii) 𝐵 − 𝐴 = 𝐵 (iii) A ∩ B = 𝜙
4. 𝐴∆𝐵 = (𝐴 − 𝐵) ∪ (𝐵 − 𝐴) = (𝐴B) − (𝐴 ∩ 𝐵).

BALABHADRA SURESH, SA(MATHS), AMALAPURAM,E.G.DT, P.NO-9866845885 Page 18