Basic Set Concepts

COS1501 - Theoretical Computer Science I · Set Theory

Basic Set Concepts

Sets are fundamental objects in mathematics and computer science. A set is a collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right. The objects in a set are called elements or members. Sets can be defined in various ways, and understanding their properties is crucial for further studies in computer science.

Definition of a Set

A set is typically denoted by curly braces. For example, the set of natural numbers less than 5 can be written as:

{1, 2, 3, 4}

In this case, the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are the elements of the set. Sets can also be defined by a property that their members share. For example:

{x | x is a natural number and x < 5}

This reads as

    Basic Set Concepts – COS1501 - Theoretical Computer Science I notes | Tyro Study