How to Write and Interpret Set Builder Notation in Maths
In Mathematics, set builder notation is a mathematical notation of describing a set by listing its elements or demonstrating its properties that its members must satisfy.
In set-builder notation, we write sets in the form of
{y | (properties of y)} OR {y : (properties of y)}
Where properties of y are replaced by the condition that completely describes the elements of the set. The symbol ‘|’ or ‘:’ is used to separate the elements and properties. The symbols ‘|’ or ‘:’ is read as “ such that” and the complete set is read as “ the set of all elements y” such that (properties of y). Here, we are using the variable ‘y’ to formulate the properties of the elements in the set.
Example:
X = {y: y is a letter in the word dictionary}
We read it as,
“X is the set of all y such that y is a letter in the word dictionary”.
What is Set in Mathematics?
In Mathematics, the set is an unordered group of elements represented by the sequence of elements (separated by commas) between curly braces {" and "}.
For example, {cat, cow, dog} is a set of domestic animals, {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} is a set of odd numbers, {a, b, c, d, e} is a set of alphabets.
Let Us Understand The Set Builder Notations
Set Builder Notations is the method to describe the set while describing the properties and not just listing its elements. When there is set formation in a set builder notation then it is called comprehension, set an intention, and set abstraction.
Set builder notation contains one or two variables and also defines which elements belong to the set and the elements which do not belong to the set. The rule and the variables are separated by slash and colon. This is often used for describing infinite sets.
Let Us Check Out The Symbols Used In Set Builder Notation
There are different symbols used for example for element symbol ∈ is denoted for element, the symbol ∉ is denoted to show that it is not an element, for the whole number it is W, symbol Z denotes integers, symbol N denotes all natural numbers and all the positive integers, symbol R denotes real numbers, symbol Q denotes rational numbers.
Set Builder Notation Symbols
The different symbols used to represent set builder notation are as follows:
∈: "Is an element of"
Example: x ∈ A means x is an element of the set A.∉: "Is not an element of"
Example: x ∉ A means x is not an element of the set A.∅ or {}: The empty set
A set with no elements. Example: ∅ = {}.W: Whole numbers
Usually W = { 0, 1, 2, 3, ... }.Z: Integers
Z = { ..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ... }.N: Natural numbers
Usually N = { 1, 2, 3, ... }. Some definitions include 0, i.e., { 0, 1, 2, 3, ... }.R: Real numbers
Includes all numbers on the number line (rational and irrational).Q: Rational numbers
Numbers that can be expressed as fractions p/q, where p, q ∈ Z and q ≠ 0.C: Complex numbers
Numbers of the form a + bi, where a, b ∈ R and i² = -1.I or Irrational Numbers: Numbers that cannot be expressed as a fraction.
Example: √2, π, e.⊂: "Is a proper subset of"
Example: A ⊂ B means all elements of A are in B, but A ≠ B.⊆: "Is a subset of"
Example: A ⊆ B means all elements of A are in B, and A could equal B.∪: Union
The set containing all elements of A and B. Example: A ∪ B.∩: Intersection
The set containing elements common to both A and B. Example: A ∩ B.\ or −: Set difference
The set of elements in A but not in B. Example: A \ B or A − B.|: Such that
Used in set builder notation. Example: A = { x ∈ R | x > 0 } means A is the set of all x in R such that x > 0.∃: There exists
Example: ∃x ∈ A means there exists an x in A.∀: For all
Example: ∀x ∈ A means for all x in A.↔ or ⇔: If and only if
Example: P ↔ Q means P is true if and only if Q is true.⇒: Implies
Example: P ⇒ Q means if P is true, then Q is true.Z⁺ or N⁺: Positive integers
The set of positive whole numbers { 1, 2, 3, ... }.|x|: Absolute value
Represents the distance of x from 0 on the number line.{...}: Denotes a set explicitly
Example: A = { 1, 2, 3 }.∼: Similar to or equivalent to
Example: A ∼ B can mean A and B have a certain relation.
The set builder notation examples given below will help you to define set builder notation in the most appropriate way. The different set builder notation examples are as follows:
Set Builder Notation Examples
Representation of Sets Methods
There are two different methods to represent sets. These are:
Tabular Form or Roasted Method.
Set -Builder Form or Rule Method.
Tabular Form or Roasted Method
In the roaster method, the elements of the set are listed inside the braces {}, and each element is separated by commas. If the element appears more than once in the collection, it can be written only once.
Example,
The set X of the first five natural numbers is written as X = {1,2,3,4,5}.
The set A of the letter of the word MUMBAI is written as A = {M, U, B, A, I}.
Note: The elements of the set in the roasted method can be listed in any order. Hence, the set {A,B,C,D} can be written as {B, A, C,D}.
How do we Write A Set in Set Builder Method
If the elements of a set have a common property then they can be defined by describing the property. For example, the elements of the set A = {1,2,3,4,5,6} have a common property, which states that all the elements in the set A are natural numbers less than 7. No other natural numbers retain this property. Hence, we can write the set X as follows:
A = {x : x is a natural number less than 7} which can be read as “ A is the set of elements x such that x is natural numbers less than 7”.
The above set can also be written as A = {x : x N, x < 7}.
We can also write, set A = {the set of all the natural numbers less than 7}.
In this case, the description of the common property of the elements of a set is written inside the braces. This is the simple form of a set-builder form or rule method.
Set Builder Form Examples
Example1: Set of all even numbers: { x | x is an integer and x is even }
Meaning: The set contains all integers that are even.
Example 2: Set of all positive integers less than 10: { x | x is a positive integer and x < 10 }
Result: { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 }
Example 3: Set of all real numbers greater than or equal to 0: { x ∈ R | x ≥ 0 }
Meaning: The set contains all real numbers 𝑥 that are greater than or equal to 0.
Example 4: Set of all prime numbers: { x ∈ N | x is prime }
Meaning: The set contains all natural numbers 𝑥 that are prime (e.g., { 2, 3, 5, 7, ... }).
Why do we Use Set Builder Notation?
If you are thinking why do we use such complicated notation to represent sets?
Or
What is the importance of using such complicated notation?
Now, you can find the answer to this question.
If you are asked to list a set of integers between 1 and 6, inclusive, then you can simply use a roaster form to write {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
But the problem may raise if you will be asked to list the real numbers in the same interval in roaster from.
Using the set-builder notation would be convenient to use in this situation.
Starting with all the real numbers, we can limit them to the interval between 1 and 6 inclusive. Hence, it will be represented as:
{x : x ≥ 1 and x ≤ 6}
Set builder notation is also convenient to represent other algebraic sets. For example,
{y : y = y²}
Set-builder notation is widely used to represent infinite numbers of elements of a set.
Numbers such as real numbers, integers, natural numbers can be easily represented using the set-builder notation. Also, the set with an interval or equation can be best described by this method.
Set Builder Notation for Domain and Range
Set builder notation is a powerful way to describe the domain and range of a function by specifying the values that the input (domain) or output (range) can take.
1. Domain Examples
The domain of a function consists of all possible input values (usually x) for which the function is defined.
Example : Linear Function f(x)=2x+3
Domain: All real numbers because the function is defined for all x.
Set Builder Notation:{ x ∈ R | x is a real number }
2. Range Examples
The range of a function consists of all possible output values (usually f(x) or y) that the function can produce.
Example : Linear Function f(x)=2x+3
Range: All real numbers because the output can take any real value.
Set Builder Notation: { y ∈ R | y is a real number }
Set Builder Form Examples with Answers
1. Write the given set in the set-builder notation.
A = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13}
Solution: The given set A= {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13} in the set-builder form can be written as:
{x : x is an odd natural numbers less than 14}.
2. How to write x ≤ 3 or x ≥ 4 in set-builder notation?
Solution: We can write x ≤ 3 or x ≥ 4 in set builder notation as:
{x ∈ R | x ≤ 3 or x ≥ 4}
FAQs on Set Builder Notation: Meaning, Uses & Examples
1. How do you write in set-builder notation?
In set-builder notation, a set is described by specifying a property that its elements satisfy. The general format is: $$ \{ x \mid \text{property of } x \} $$ For example, the set of all positive integers less than 10 can be written as $\{ x \mid x \in \mathbb{N},\ x < 10 \}$. At Vedantu, students learn to create sets efficiently using this notation during live interactive math classes and practice exercises.
2. What is the set-builder notation for 2 4 6 8 10?
The set-builder notation for the set containing 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 is: $$ \{ x \mid x = 2n,\ n \in \mathbb{N},\ 1 \leq n \leq 5 \} $$ This represents all even numbers between 2 and 10, inclusive. Through Vedantu's comprehensive resources, students get hands-on guidance in expressing sets with set-builder notation for various types of number sequences.
3. What does a ∩ b mean in sets?
The symbol a ∩ b refers to the intersection of sets a and b. It represents the set containing all elements that are common to both sets. In mathematical terms: $$ a \cap b = \{ x \mid x \in a \text{ and } x \in b \} $$ Vedantu explains the concept of set operations using interactive lessons and visual aids, helping learners master the concept of intersections and unions in set theory.
4. What do () and [] mean in interval notation?
In interval notation, () and [] indicate whether the endpoints of an interval are included or excluded:
- (a, b) means all values between a and b, not including a or b (open interval).
- [a, b] includes a and b as part of the interval (closed interval).
- (a, b] excludes a but includes b, and [a, b) includes a but excludes b.
5. How can set-builder notation be used to describe real-life situations?
Set-builder notation is useful in describing real-life collections where a common property defines the group. Examples include:
- Students who scored above 90% in a test: $\{ x \mid x \text{ is a student's score},\ x > 90 \}$
- All natural numbers less than 50: $\{ n \mid n \in \mathbb{N},\ n < 50 \}$
- People aged between 18 and 25: $\{ y \mid 18 \leq y \leq 25 \}$
6. What is the difference between roster form and set-builder notation?
Roster form explicitly lists all the elements of a set, such as $\{2, 4, 6, 8, 10\}$, while set-builder notation uses a rule to describe the set, like $\{ x \mid x = 2n,\ n \in \mathbb{N},\ 1 \leq n \leq 5 \}$. Vedantu’s detailed study materials clarify both notations, providing comparison tables and exercises to strengthen understanding.
7. How do you represent the union of two sets in set-builder notation?
The union of two sets A and B, written as $A \cup B$, can be expressed in set-builder notation as: $$ A \cup B = \{ x \mid x \in A \text{ or } x \in B \} $$ This means the set of elements that belong to either A, B, or both. On Vedantu’s platform, students get ample practice on unions, intersections, and other set operations with instant feedback.
8. What are common symbols used in set-builder notation?
Common symbols in set-builder notation include:
- $\mid$ or $:$ (such that)
- $\in$ (belongs to)
- $\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$, $\mathbb{R}$ (natural, integer, rational, real numbers)
- $\leq, \geq, <, >$ (inequalities)
9. Why is set-builder notation important in mathematics?
Set-builder notation provides a compact, precise way to define sets, especially for infinite or large sets. It helps express mathematical ideas concisely, improves logical reasoning, and is widely used in higher mathematics and problem-solving. Vedantu empowers students to master set-builder notation for advanced topics in algebra and calculus.
