Chapter 3

SETS
3.1 Sets

3.1.1 Sorting given objects into groups
Objects can be arranged into groups according to their
common properties or characteristics.
For example:
Sort the following objects into the groups: Fruits,
Flowers, Fish.
Rose, banana, shark, hibiscus, apple,
jasmine, orchid, carp, grape, mango
Solution:
Fruits: Banana, apple, grape, mango
Flowers: Rose, hibiscus, jasmine, orchid
Fish: Sharp, carp
Exercise 1
Sort the following objects into the groups: Electrical objects, Foods,
Numbers

Rice cooker,
3
4
, fried chicken, 0.47, fan, buns,
television, oranges, 265, microwave oven, 1
1
2
, cakes,
refrigerator, potato

SOLUTION:
Electrical objects: rice cooker, fan, television, microwave oven, refrigerator

Foods: fried chicken, buns, oranges, cakes, potato

Numbers:
3
4
, 0.47, 265, 1
1
2


Exercise 2
3, 25, 7, 10, 49, 12, 11, 9, 24, 31, 121, 60,
169, 17
Sort the above numbers into the following groups:
a) Prime numbers;
b) Even numbers;
c) Perfect squares.

SOLUTION:
a) 3, 7, 11, 17, 31
b) 10, 12, 24, 60
c) 9, 25, 49, 121, 169
Exercise 3
a, 2, e, 3, o, 5, I, 7, u
Sort the above into the following groups:
a) Group of letters;
b) Group of numbers.


SOLUTION:
a) a, e, I, o, u
b) 2, 3, 5, 7

Exercise 4
-50, -3, -
1
2
, 0, 2.1,
3
4
, 11, 15,
5
2
, 7
From the list above, determine
a) A group of fractions;
b) A group of integers;
c) A group of prime numbers;
d) A group of whole numbers.

SOLUTION:
a) -
1
2
,
3
4
,
5
2

b) -50, -3, 0, 11, 15, 7
c) 11, 7
d) 0, 11, 15, 7

Exercise 5
Snake, elephant, spider, slug, lizard,
cockroach, snail, eagle, monkey, whale,
ant, frog
Sort the following animals into groups of vertebrates
and invertebrates.

SOLUTION:
a) Vertebrates: snake, elephant, lizard, eagle, monkey,
whale, frog
b) Invertebrates: spider, slug, snail, cockroach, ant
3.1.2 Defining a set
A set is a collection of objects which have a common
property.
The objects in a set are called the members or elements of
the set.
A set must be clearly defined. It can be defined by using
a) Description;
b) Set notation, { }
For example,
Description: The set of the first five even numbers.
Set notation: {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
Notice that the description must be precise and clear so that
the elements can be identified easily.
Continue
A set is usually denoted by a capital letter.
For example,
A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}, read as A is the set of the
first five even numbers.
There are 3 ways to define a set using set
notation, { }.
For example,
A = {first five even numbers} OR
A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} OR
A = {x: x is an even number and x s 10}

Example
11, 13, 17, 19
Define the above numbers using
a) Description;
b) Set notation.


SOLUTION:
a) The set of prime numbers between 10 and 20.
b) {11, 13, 17, 19} OR
{prime numbers between 10 and 20} OR
{x: x is a prime number and 10 < x < 20}
Exercise 1
Define the following sets by description.
a) X = {2, 4, 6, 8}
b) Y = {Sabah, Sarawak}
c) Z = {bicycle, motorcycle}

SOLUTION:
a) X is a set of even numbers less than 10.
b) Y is a set of East Malaysia states.
c) Z is a set of two-wheel vehicles.
Exercise 2
Define the following sets by descriptions.
a) C = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18}
b) D = {January, June, July}


SOLUTION:
a) C is the set of multiples of 3 that are less than 20.
b) D is the set of months that begin with the letter J.
Exercise 3
Define the following sets by descriptions.
a) G = {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet}
b) H = {smell, taste, sight, hearing, touch}
c) I = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19}
d) J = {14, 23, 32, 41, 50}
e) K = {lungs, skin, kidneys}

SOLUTION:
a) G is the set of colours in a rainbow.
b) H is the set of human senses.
c) I is the set of prime numbers which are less than 20.
d) J is the set of 2-digit numbers whose sum of digits is equal to 5.
e) K is the set of human excretory organs.
Exercise 4
Define the following sets by descriptions.
a) A = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11}
b) B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
c) C = {Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday}
d) D = {a, e, i, o, u}
e) E = {16, 25, 36, 49}
f) F = {square, rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus}
g) G = {1, 2, 4, 8}
h) H = {c, o, n, u, t}

SOLUTION:
a) A is the set of the first five prime numbers.
b) B is the set of the first six even numbers.
c) C is the set of days in the week.
d) D is the set of vowels.
e) E is the set of perfect squares from 10 to 50.
f) F is the set of quadrilaterals with two pairs of parallel sides.
g) G is the set of factors of 8.
h) H is the set of letters from the word coconut.
Exercise 5
Define the following sets by set notations.
a) L is the set of planets in the solar system.
b) M is the set of factors of 24.
c) N is the set of secondary colours.
d) P is the set of the first five multiples of 6.

SOLUTION:
a) L = {Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus,
Neptune, Pluto}
b) M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24}
c) N = {yellow, cyan, magenta}
d) P = {6, 12, 18, 24, 30}
Exercise 6
Define the following sets using set notation.
a)P is a set of multiples of 3 from 1 to 10.
b)Q is a set of consonants from the word
MALAYSIA.
c) R is a set of quadrilaterals with all equal sides.

SOLUTION:
a)P = {3, 6, 9}
b)Q = {M, L, Y, S}
c) R = {square, rhombus}
Exercise 7
Define each of the following sets using set notation by listing its
elements.
a) P is a set of months with thirty days each.
b) Q is a set of states in Malaysia without a sultan.
c) R is a set of consonants from the word CORRECT.
d) S is a set of prime numbers less than 10.

SOLUTION:
a) P = {April, June, September, November}
b) Q = {Melaka, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak}
c) R = {C, R, T}
d) S = {2, 3, 5, 7}

Exercise 8
Define each of the following by using set notation.
a) A is the set of whole numbers greater than 20 but less than 27.
b) B is the set of months of year beginning with J.
c) C is the set of colours in the traffic lights.
d) D is the set of odd numbers between 30 and 40.

SOLUTION:
a) A = {21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26}
b) B = {January, June, July}
c) C = {red, orange, green}
d) D = {31, 33, 35, 37, 39}
3.1.3 Identifying elements of a
set
The symbol e (epsilon) is used to denote is an element of or is
a member of.
The symbol e is used to denote is not an element of or is not a
member of.
For example:
If A = {odd numbers less than 12} and B = {factors of 18}, fill
in each of the following boxes with the symbol e or e.
a) 7 A
b) 5 B
c) 13 A
d) 18 B

e
e
e
e
Exercise 1
Given A = {factors of 12}, B = {x : 10 < x < 20, x is a
prime number} and C = {vowels in the word MODERN}.
Fill in each of the following boxes with the symbol e or
e.
a) 4 A
b) 13 B
c) i A
d) 8 B


e
e
e
e
Exercise 2
State whether each of the following is true or false.
a) 4 {multiple of 2}
b) 64 {perfect squares}
c) Metre {units of length}
d) Pigeon {birds}
e
e
e
e
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
Exercise 3
P is a set of prime numbers. By using the symbol e or e,
show whether each of the following objects is an
element of P.
a) 17 P
b) 49 P
c) 51 P
d) 89 P
e
e
e
e
Exercise 4
Given M is a set multiples of 5, show whether each
object below is an element of M by using the symbol e
or e.
a) -15 M
b) 12 M
c) 20 M
d) 105 M
e
e
e
e
Exercise 5
Given P = {x : x is a prime number}, Q = {x : x is a
multiple of 9} and R = {x : x is a perfect square}. Use
the symbol e to show which set each object belongs to.
a) 5 e
b) 121 e
c) 27 e
d) 13 e
P
R
Q
P
Exercise 6
Given K = {x : x is a prime number, 10 s x s 30} and N
is the set consisting of the first ten multiples of 5. Copy
and complete the following using the symbol e or e.
a) 17 K
b) 60 N
c) 5 K
d) 31 K
e) 25 N
f) 50 N
e
e
e
e
e
e
3.1.4 Venn diagrams
Venn diagrams are diagrams representing sets.
Usually, the universal set is represented by a rectangle
and the other sets are represented by closed
geometrical shapes such as ovals, circles, squares and
so on within the rectangle.
In a Venn diagram, each element or member of the set
is represented by a dot.
For example, set A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} can be represented
in a diagram as follows:
A




.1
.2
.3
.4
.5
Exercise 1
Represent each of the following sets by using a
Venn diagram.
a) N = {a, b, c}
b) O = {integers between 7 and 12}
c) P = {multiples of 3 between 15 and 30}
d) Q = {consonants in the word SPIDER}
e) R = {red, blue, green}
f) S = {x: 11 s x s 17, x is an even number}
.a .b
.c
N O
.8 .9
.10
.11
.18
.21
.24
.27
P
.S .D
.P .R
Q
.red
.blue
.green
R
S
.12
.14
.16
Exercise 2
Represent each of the following sets by using a Venn
diagram.
a) A = {book, pen, pencil}
b) B = {colours of jalur gemilang}
c) C = {multiples of 7 less than 30}
d) D = {x: -2 s x s 3, x is an integer}
e) E = {(x, y): 0 s x s 1, 3 s y s 4, x and y are integers}
f) F = {x: 10 s x s 20, x is an odd number}
.book
.pen
.pencil
A B
.red
.blue
.white
.yellow
.7
.14
.21
.28
C
.-2 .-1
.0 .1
.2 .3
D
.(0, 3)
.(1, 3)
.(0, 4)
.(1, 4)
E
F
.11
.13
.15
.17
.19
3.1.5 listing and stating the number of
elements in a set
The number of elements in set A is denoted by the notation n(A).
For example, A = {1, 3, 5}, thus n(A) = 3.
In a Venn diagram, the number of elements in a set is represented
by a number without a dot beside it. For example, the Venn
diagram below indicates that n(A) = 4, that is, set A contains four
elements.
A



4
Exercise 1
Given that P = {odd numbers from 1 to 9} and Q = {all the
letters which make up the word EXCELLENT}, find
a) n(P)
b) n(Q)

SOLUTION:
a) P = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}, so n(P) = 5
b) Q = {E, X, C, L, N, T}, so n(Q) = 6

NOTES: The same element in a set need not be repeated. Thus,
{E, X, C, L, N, T} is the same as {E, E, E, X, C, L, L, N, T}
Exercise 2
Given F = {vowels from the word INTERSECTION}, G = {factors of
20} and H = {x: 10 s x s 30, x is an integer divisible by 4}, find
a) n(F)
b) n(G)
c) n(H)

SOLUTION:
a) 3 F = {I, E, O}
b) 6 G = {1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20}
c) 5 H = {12, 16, 20, 24, 28}

Exercise 3
State the number of elements in each of the following
sets.
a) A = {Selangor, Perak, Johor}
b) B = factors of 8}
c) C = {x: x is a multiple of 5 less than 40}

SOLUTION:
a) n(A) = 3
b) n(B) = 4 B = {1, 2, 4, 8}
c) n(C) = 7 C = {5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35}
Exercise 4
State the number of elements in each of the following sets.
a) J = {8, 13, 16, 21, 35}
b) K = {numbers on a dice}
c) L = {letters in the word MATHEMATICS}
d) M = {days of the week}

SOLUTION:
a) 5
b) 6
c) 11
d) 7

Exercise 5
Find n(A) of the following sets.
a) A = {months beginning with M}
b) A = {x: 20 < x < 30, x is an odd number which is
divisible by 2}
c) A = {factors of 30}

SOLUTION:
a) 2
b) 0
c) 8
Exercise 6
Given set J is the set of factors of 40.
a) List the elements of J.
b) State the number of elements in J.

SOLUTION:
a) J = {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 40}
b) n(J) = 8
Exercise 7
List the elements and state the number of elements for the sets below.
a) V = {x: -4 < x < 5, x is an integer}
b) W is the set of regular polygons which have 8 sides or less.
c) X = {consonants in the word PATRIOTISM}

SOLUTION:
a) V = {-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, thus n(V) = 8
b) W = {equilateral triangle, square, regular pentagon, regular hexagon,
regular heptagon, regular octagon}, thus n(W) = 6
c) X = {P, T, R, S, M}, thus n(X) = 5
Exercise 8
Given A = {x: x is a two-digit number in which the sum
of digits is 5} and B = {x: x is a two-digit number in
which the difference of digits is 5}.
a) List the elements of set A and set B.
b) State n(A) and n(B).

SOLUTION:
a) A = {14, 23, 32, 41, 50},
B = {16, 27, 38, 49, 50, 61, 72, 83, 94}.
b) n(A) = 5, n(B) = 9
3.1.6 Empty set
The empty set or null set is the set which has no elements.
It is denoted by the symbol C or {}.
{0} is not an empty set. It is a set which has one element, that is zero.
{C} is not the symbol for empty set.
For example, determine whether the following sets are empty sets.
a) M = {an integer whose square is a negative value}
b) N = {a triangle with 4 equal sides}
c) O = {even prime numbers}

SOLUTION:
a) M = C because the square of all integers are positive.
b) N = C because a triangle has only 3 sides.
c) O = C because 2 is a prime number.
Exercise 1
Determine whether each of the following sets is an empty set.
a) A = {odd numbers which are divisible by 2}
b) B = {months that start with the letter Z}
c) C = {prime numbers less than 10}
d) D = {cats which have ten heads}
e) E = {prime numbers between 17 and 20}
f) F = {cubes with 7 sides}
g) G = {even numbers between
1
5
and
4
5
}

SOLUTION:
a) A = C
b) B = C
c) C = C
d) D = C
e) E = C
f) F = C
g) G = C

3.1.7 Equal sets
Two sets are equal if they have exactly the same
elements.
The order of the elements in each set does not matter.
For example,
{a, b, c} = {c, a, b}
Exercise 1
Determine whether the sets in each of the following pairs are equal.
a) A = {8, 11, 15}, B = {15, 8, 11}
b) P = {odd numbers between 10 and 18}, Q = {11, 13, 17}
c) A = {37, 48, 59}, B = {59, 84, 73}
d) C = {even numbers between 13 and 20}, D = {factors of 12}
e) P = {vowels in the word SCIENCE}, Q = {A, I, E}
f) M = {x: 7 s x s 18, x is an even number}, N = {8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18}
g) V = {multiples of 4 less than 20}, W = {4, 8, 12, 16}

SOLUTION:
a) A = B
b) P = Q
c) A = B
d) C = D
e) P = Q
f) M = N
g) V = W
Exercise 2
Given that A = {x: 9 < x < 16, x is an odd number},
B = {11, 13, 2x+1} and A = B, find the value of x.

If P ={factors of 18}, Q = {1, 2, 3, 6, 9, x
3
+ 10}
and P = Q, find the value of x.

SOLUTION:
A = {11, 13, 15}, so 2x + 1 = 15. Thus, x =7.

P = {1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18}, so x
3
+ 10 = 18. Thus, x = 2.

Exercise 3
Determine whether the following sets are equal.
a) Q = {even numbers which are less than 10}
R = {first 4 multiples of 2}
b) S = {prime numbers which are less than 10}
T = { first 5 odd numbers}

SOLUTION:
a) Q = R
b) S = T
Exercise 4
Determine whether the following pairs of sets are equal.
a) F = {-1, 5, 7, 0}, G = {7, -1, 0, 5}
b) H = {squares, rhombus}, J = {polygons with four equal sides}
c) K = {months that begin with the letter A}, L = {vowels in the word
ARROW}
d) M = C, N = {0}
e) P = {two-digit numbers which have the same digit}, Q = {x: x is a multiple
of 11, 0 < x < 100}
f) R= {multiples of 5}, S = {multiples of 10}
g) T = {3, 1, 5, 7}, U = {digits in the number 11553751}

SOLUTION:
a) F = G
b) H = J
c) K = L
d) M = N
e) P = Q
f) R = S
g) T = U
Exercise 5
Given X = Y. Find the value of k if
a) X = {2, 5, -5, 7, -3} and Y = {-5, k, 5, 2,7}
b) X = {13, 18, 2k + 3, 24, 35} and Y = {35, 27, 24, 18, 13}
c) X = {-11, -8, 0, 2, k + h, 13} and Y = {0, 6, -8, 2h, 13, -11}

SOLUTION:
a) k = -3
b) k = 12
c) h = 1, k = -5
3.2.1 Subsets
Set A is a subset of set B if every element of set A is an element of set B.
The symbol c is used to denote is a subset of. For example, Set A is a subset of set B, so
we write A c B.
The symbol . is used to denote is not a subset of. For example, Set P is not a subset of
set Q, so we write P . Q.
If set A is the subset of set B, then the relationship between A and B can be illustrated by
a Venn diagram as below.





Notice that set A is within set B. We can also say that A is contained in B.
An empty set is a subset of any set. For example, C c A.
A set is a subset of itself. For example, A c A.
The number of subsets of set A = 2n, where n is the number of elements in set A. For
example, if A = {1, 2} then the number of subsets of set A = s2 = 4. All the subsets of
set A are C, {1}, {2}, {1, 2}.

3.2 Subset, Universal Set and Complement of a Set
A
B
Exercise 1
Given A = {odd numbers between 2 and 11}, B = {3, 5, 7} and C
= {factors of 4}. Determine whether each of the following is true
or false.
a) B c A
b) C c A
c) C c B
d) B . C

SOLUTION:
a) True
b) False
c) False
d) True
Exercise 2
Given that A = {2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17}, B = {4, 7, 8} and C =
{odd numbers between 7 and 13}. State whether each of the following
is true or false.
a) B c A
b) A c C
c) C c A
d) B . C

SOLUTION:
a) True
b) False
c) False
d) True
Exercise 3
Given that P = {x: 4 s x s 19, x is an integer}, Q = {x:
4 s x s 19, x is an odd number} and R = {factors of 6}.
Fill in the blanks with the symbol c or ..
a) Q P
b) R Q
c) R P
d) {8, 10, 12} P
e) {5} R
f) {7, 11, 13} Q
c
c
c
.
.
.
Exercise 4
Draw a Venn diagram to show the relationship between the sets in
each of the following pairs.
a) J = {x, y, z}, K = {x, y}
b) P = {factors of 6}, Q = {whole numbers less than 10}

SOLUTION:
a) K c J



b) P c Q








.z
.x .y
J
K
.0 .4 .5 .7



.8 .9
.1 .2
.3 .6
P
Q
Exercise 5
Illustrate the relationship between the following sets using Venn
diagrams.
a) M = {27, 29}, N = {23, 27, 29}
b) A = {letters in the word TIGER}, B = {vowels in the word HIGHER}
c) P = {triangles}, Q = {isosceles triangles}
d) R = {odd numbers}, S = {integers}
e) V = {factors of 30}, W = {prime numbers less than 7}

SOLUTION:

a) M = {27, 29}, N = {23, 27, 29}











.23
.27 .29
M
N
b) A = {letters in the word TIGER}, B = {vowels in the word HIGHER}










.T .G .R
.I .E
B
A
c) P = {triangles}, Q = {isosceles triangles}










Q
P
d) R = {odd numbers}, S = {integers}










S
R
e) V = {factors of 30}, W = {prime numbers less than 7}









.1 .6 .10 .15 .30
.2 .3 .5
W
V
Exercise 6
List all the subsets of each of the following sets.
a) {p, q, r}
b) {2, 4, 6, 8}

SOLUTION:
a) 2
3
= 8. All the subsets are C, {p}, {q}, {r}, {p, q}, {p, r},
{q, r} and {p, q, r}
b) 2
4
= 16. All the subsets are C, {2}, {4}, {6}, {8}, {2, 4},
{2, 6}, {2, 8}, {4, 6}, {4, 8}, {6, 8}, {2, 4, 6}, {2, 4, 8},
{4, 6, 8}, {2, 6, 8} and {2, 4, 6, 8}
Exercise 7
List down all the subsets of each of the following sets.
a) P = {3, 4}
b) Q = {x, y, z}
c) R = {prime number between 10 and 14}

SOLUTION:
a) {}, {3}, {4}, {3, 4}
b) {}, {x}, {y}, {z}, {x, y}, {x, z}, {y, z}, {x, y, z}
c) {}, {11}, {13}, {11, 13}
3.2.2 Universal set
The universal set is the set which contains all the elements
under discussion.
It is denoted by the symbol .
Example:
Given that the universal set, = {whole numbers less than 7},
P = {prime numbers} and Q = {multiple of 6}, illustrate the
relationship between the following sets using Venn diagrams.
a) and P
b) , P and Q

SOLUTION:
= {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
P = {2, 3, 5}
Q = {6}

.0
.1
.4
.6
.2 .3
.5

P
.0
.1
.4
.2 .3
.5

P
.6
Q
Exercise 1
Given that the universal set, = {x: 8 < x < 13, x is an
integer}, A = {x: x is a prime number} and B = {9, 10}. Draw a
Venn diagram to represent the set , A and B.










.12 .11
.9
.10

A B
Exercise 2
Given that the universal set, = {x: 5 < x < 18, x is an odd
number}, F = {x: x is a multiple of 3} and G = {x: x is a factor
of 15}. Draw a Venn diagram to represent the set , F and G.










.12
.11
.13
.17
.9


.15

F
G
3.2.3 Complement of a set
The complement of set A is the set of all elements in the
universal set, , which are not elements of set A, and is denoted
by A.
For example

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







.3 .4
.1 .2
A
A

Exercise 1
Given the universal set, = {a, b, c, d, e}, find the
complement of each of the following sets.
a) P = {d, e}
b) Q = {vowels in the word snake}

SOLUTION:
a) P = {d, e}, thus P = {a, b, c}
b) Q = {a, e}, thus Q = {b, c, d}
Exercise 2





The above Venn diagram shows the universal set, , set F and
set G respectively. List the elements of F and G.

SOLUTION:
a) F = {2, 3}, thus F = {4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
b) G = {6, 7}, thus G = {2, 3, 4, 5, 8}






.4 .5 .8
.6
.7
G
F

.2
.3
Exercise 3
Given that the universal set, = {x: 17 s x < 29, x is an
integer} and set J = {x: x is a number such that the
sum of its two digits is an odd number}. Find set J.

SOLUTION:
= {17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28}
J = {18, 21, 23, 25, 27}
Thus, J = {17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28}
Exercise 4

The Venn diagram shows the relationship between the universal set,
, set P and set Q. List down all the elements of P and Q.

SOLUTION:
= {a, b, c, d, e, f, g}
P = {a, b, c, d, f}
Q = {c, d, f}
Thus,
P = {e, g}
Q = {a, b, e, g}







.e .g
P

.a
.b
.c .d
.f
Q
Exercise 5
Given that the universal set,
= {2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12}
A = {odd numbers between 4 and 10}
B = {multiple of 5} and
C = {factors of 8}
Draw a Venn diagram to illustrate the
relationship between
a) Set and set C,
b) Set , A and B.





.5 .7 .9 .11 .12
.2
.8
C

3.3 Operations on Stes
3.3.1 Intersection of sets
The intersection of two sets, A and B, is the set of
elements which are common to both set A and set B.
It is written as A B and read as A intersection B.
is the symbol for intersection.
The shaded region in the Venn diagram below represents
A B.






Continue
Similarly, the intersection of three sets, A, B and C, is
the set of elements which are common to sets A, B and
C.
It is written as A B C.
The shaped region in the Venn diagram below represents
A B C.







Exercise 1
Given A ={8, 9, 10, 11}, B = {10, 11, 12, 13}, C = {6, 7, 8,
10} and D = {12, 13}. Find the following sets.
a) A B
b) C D
c) B D
d) B C

SOLUTION:
a) {10, 11}
b) {} or C
c) {12, 13}
d) {10}
Exercise 2
Given A = {4, 7, 8, 9}, B = {3, 7, 8, 9} and C = {6, 9,
10, 13}., find
a) A B
b) B C
c) A C

SOLUTION:
a) {7, 8, 9}
b) {9}
c) {9}
Exercise 3
Given that the universal set,
= {a, b, c, d, f, g}
P = {a, b, c}
Q = {b, c, d}
a) Find
i. P Q
ii. P Q
b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent
i. P Q
ii. P Q

{b, c}
{a}






.e .f .g
.a
.b
.c .d


P Q
P Q






.e .f .g
.a
.b
.c .d
P Q
P Q
Exercise 4
Given the universal set, = {a, e, I, o, u}, M = {a, i, u}
and N = {a, e, u}
a) Find M N.
b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets , M and N.
Hence, shade the region representing M N.

SOLUTION:
a) {a, u}
b)






.o
.i
.a
.u .e

M N
Exercise 5
Given that A = {4, 5, 6, 7}, B = {5, 7, 8, 9} and C = {3, 4, 7, 8}.
a) Find A B C.
b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent A B C.

SOLUTION:
a) {7}
b)








.6

.4

.5
.9
.7
.8

A B


.3
C
A B C
Exercise 6
Given that A = {4, 5, 6, 7, 9}, B = {5, 6, 7, 10, 11} and C = {5, 7,
8, 9, 11}.
a) Find A B C.
b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent A B C.

SOLUTION:
a) {5, 7}
b)
.4 .6 .10
.5
.9 .7 .11



A
B


.8
C
A B C
3.3.2 Relationship between (i) A B
and A, (ii) A B and B.
Disjoint sets are sets which do not have common elements.



Disjoint sets A and B
If A B = C, then
i. (A B) c A
ii. (A B) c B
If A B = C, then
i. (A B) c A
ii. (A B) c B

A B
A B
A B
Continue
The complement of the intersection of sets A and B is the set which
does not contain the elements of A B and is denoted by (A B).
The shaded region in the Venn diagram below represents (A B).








A B
Exercise 1
Given that A = {4, 5, 6, 7} and B = {5, 7, 9, 11}.
a) Find A B.
b) State the relationship between
i. A B and A,
ii. A B and B.

SOLUTION:
a) {5, 7}
b) (i) (A B) c A
(ii) (A B) c B

Exercise 2
Given that P = {a, b, c, d, e, f} and B = {b, e, g, h}.
a) Find P Q.
b) State the relationship between
i. P Q and P,
ii. P Q and Q.

SOLUTION:
a) {b, e}
b) (i) (P Q) c P
(ii) (P Q) c Q

Exercise 3
Given that the universal set, = {3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13,
15}, A = {5, 7, 9, 11} and B = {9, 11, 13}.
a) Find (A B)
b) Draw a Venn diagram and shade the region that
represents (A B).

SOLUTION:
a) {3, 5, 7, 13, 15}
b)




.5 .9 .13
.7 .11

.3 .15

A B
Exercise 4
Given the universal set, , = {4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}, A = {5, 7, 8,
9, 11}, B = {5, 6, 8, 9, 10} and C = {4, 5, 8, 10, 11}. Find
a) (A B)
b) (B C)
c) (A B C)

SOLUTION:
a) {4, 6, 7, 10, 11}
b) {4, 6, 7, 9, 11}
c) {4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11}
Exercise 5
Given that the universal set,
= {x: 4 s x s 11, x is an integer},
P = {x: x is an odd number} and
Q = {x: x is a factor of 10}
a) Find (P Q)
b) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the sets , P and Q. Shade the
region representing set (P Q).

SOLUTION:
a) {4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}
b)








.4 .6 .8
.7 .5
.9
.11
.10

P Q
Exercise 6
The Venn diagram below shows the universal set, , sets
P, Q and R. Find
a) n(P Q)
b) n(P R)
c) n(P Q R)

SOLUTION:
a) 7
b) 7
c) 8

.1 .3 .10

.2 .5
.7
.6 .9 .8


P
R Q
3.3.3 Solving problems involving
intersection of sets