In mathematics, a set is a clear collection of different objects. Sets are the basis of modern math and are found in areas like algebra, logic, and probability. To help you understand this concept, we’ve put together a list of commonly asked questions about sets, along with answers and explanations. Whether you are a student encountering sets for the first time or reviewing for an exam, these questions and answers will help improve your understanding.
Table of Contents
A set is a group of well-defined and distinct objects. The items in a set are called elements or members.
Example:
A = {2, 4, 6, 8}
This is a set of even numbers less than 10.
There are two common ways to write sets:
In roster form, the elements of a set are listed inside curly brackets {}.
Example:
Set of vowels in English:
A = {a, e, i, o, u}
In set-builder form, a rule or condition is given to define the elements.
Example:
B = {x | x is a natural number less than 5}
This means: B = {1, 2, 3, 4}
Here are some important questions on sets, ideal for students and competitive exam practice.
Answer:
P = {2, 3, 5, 7}
Answer:
A = {x | x is an even natural number, x < 12}
So, A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
a) Set of even numbers divisible by 5 and 2
b) Set of natural numbers less than 1
c) Set of vowels in the word "sky"
Answer:
Correct answer: b) Set of natural numbers less than 1
Because the smallest natural number is 1. So, the set is empty.
Answer:
It is a finite set because the number of elements is countable and limited.
Answer:
A = {M, A, T, H, S}
Each element appears only once because sets do not allow repetition.
a) Set of natural numbers
b) Set of vowels in English
c) Set of odd numbers greater than 10
Answer:
a) and c) are infinite sets because they go on forever.
Answer:
O = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
Answer:
A = {x | x is an even number, 1 < x < 10}
Set of months in a year
Answer:
Yes, it is finite. There are only 12 months in a year.
Answer:
Cardinality means the number of elements in a set.
So, n(A) = 3
Let’s review different types of sets that often appear in questions:
Empty Set: No elements (e.g., { })
Finite Set: Limited number of elements
Infinite Set: Unlimited elements
Equal Sets: Have exactly the same elements
Equivalent Sets: Have the same number of elements (even if different items)
Subset: A set whose elements all belong to another set
Universal Set: Contains all elements under consideration
Power Set: Set of all subsets of a given set
Practising set questions regularly helps students build a strong foundation in mathematics. Whether it's understanding the difference between roster and set-builder form or identifying finite and infinite sets, these questions make learning straightforward and efficient. This blog covered the most common questions on sets, along with clear questions and answers, to support your learning. It's perfect for students, competitive exam takers, or anyone revisiting basic math.
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A set is a collection of distinct objects. These objects are called elements. Sets are usually written using curly brackets, e.g., A = {1, 2, 3}.
In roster form, all elements of a set are listed inside curly brackets, separated by commas.
Example: Set of vowels: {a, e, i, o, u}
Set-builder form uses a rule or condition to define the elements of a set.
Example: A = {x | x is an even number less than 10}
An empty set has no elements. It is written as {} or ∅.
Example: The set of natural numbers less than 1 is an empty set.
A finite set has a limited number of elements.
Example: {1, 2, 3}
An infinite set goes on without ending.
Example: The set of natural numbers: {1, 2, 3, 4, …}
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