Finite Sets and Infinite Sets

What are the differences between finite sets and infinite sets?
Finite set: A set is said to be a finite set if it is either void set or the process of counting of elements surely comes to an
end is called a finite set.
In a finite set the element can be listed if it has a limited i.e. countable by natural number 1, 2, 3, and the process of
listing terminates at a certain natural number N.
The number of distinct elements counted in a finite set S is denoted by n(S). The number of elements of a finite set A is
called the order or cardinal number of a set A and is symbolically denoted by n(A). Thus, if the set A be that of the English
alphabets, then n(A) = 26: For, it contains 26 elements in it. Again if the set A be the vowels of the English alphabets i.e. A
= {a, e, i, o, u} then n(A) = 5.
Note:
The element does not occur more than once in a set.

Infinite set: A set is said to be an infinite set whose elements cannot be listed if it has an unlimited (i.e. uncountable) by
the natural number 1, 2, 3, 4, n, for any natural number n is called a infinite set.
A set which is not finite is called an infinite set.

Now we will discuss about the examples of finite sets and infinite sets.
Examples of finite set:
1. Let P = {5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30}
Then, P is a finite set and n(P) = 6.
2. Let Q = {natural numbers less than 25}
Then, Q is a finite set and n(P) = 24.
3. Let R = {whole numbers between 5 and 45}
Then, R is a finite set and n(R) = 38.
4. Let S = {x : x Z and x^2 81 = 0}
Then, S = {-9, 9} is a finite set and n(S) = 2.
5. The set of all persons in America is a finite set.
6. The set of all birds in California is a finite set.

Examples of infinite set:

1. Set of all points in a plane is an infinite set.
2. Set of all points in a line segment is an infinite set.
3. Set of all positive integers which is multiple of 3 is an infinite set.
4. W = {0, 1, 2, 3, ..} i.e. set of all whole numbers is an infinite set.
5. N = {1, 2, 3, .} i.e. set of all natural numbers is an infinite set.
6. Z = { -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, .} i.e. set of all integers is an infinite set.
Thus, from the above discussions we know how to distinguish between the finite sets and infinite sets with examples.

Power Set

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Definition of power set:

We have defined a set as a collection of its elements so, if S is a set then the collection or family of all subsets of S is
called the power set of S and it is denoted by P(S).

Thus, if S = a, b then the power set of S is given by P(S) = {{a}, {b}, {a, b}, }
We have defined a set as a collection of its elements if the element be sets themselves, then we have a family of set
or set of sets.

Thus, A = {{1}, {1, 2, 3}, {2}, {1, 2}} is a family of sets.

The null set or empty set having no element of its own is an element of the power set; since, it is a subset of all sets.
The set being a subset of itself is also as an element of the power set.

For example:

1. The collection of all subsets of a non-empty set S is a set of sets. Thus, the power set of a given set is always non-
empty. This set is said to be the power set of S and is denoted by P(S). If S contains N elements, then P(S) contains
2^n subsets, because a subset of P(S) is either or a subset containing r elements of S, r = 1, 2, 3, ..

Let S = {1, 2, 3} then the power set of S is given by P(S) = {{1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {2, 3}, {1, 3}, , S}.

2. If S = (a), then P(S) = {(a), }; if again S = , then P(S) = {}. It should be notated that {}. If S = {1, 2, 3}
then the subset of S {1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {2, 3}, {1, 2, 3}, .

Hence, P(S) = {{1}, {2}, {3}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {2, 3}, {1, 2, 3}, }.

3. We know, since a set formed of all the subset of a set M as its elements is called a power set of M and is
symbolically denoted by P(M). So, if M is a void set , then P(M) has just one element then the power set of M is
given by P(M) = {}

Problems on Union of Sets

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Solved problems on union of sets are given below to get a fair idea how to find the union of two or more sets.

We know, the union of two or more sets is a set which contains all the elements in those sets.

Click Here to know more about the operations on union of sets.

Solved problems on union of sets:

1. Let A = {x : x is a natural number and a factor of 18} and B = {x : x is a natural number and less than 6}. Find A
B.

Solution:
A = {1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18}

B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Therefore, A B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 18}

2. Let A = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, B = {2, 4, 6, 8} and C = {1, 3, 5, 7}

Verify (A B) C = A (B C)

Solution:

(A B) C = A (B C)

L.H.S. = (A B) C

A B = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8}

(A B) C = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} .. (1)

R.H.S. = A (B C)

B C = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}

A (B C) = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} .. (2)

Therefore, from (1) and (2), we conclude that;

(A B) C = A (B C) [verified]

More worked-out problems on union of sets to find the union of three sets.

3. Let X = {1, 2, 3, 4}, Y = {2, 3, 5} and Z = {4, 5, 6}.

(i) Verify X Y = Y X

(ii) Verify (X Y) Z = X (Y Z)

Solution:

(i) X Y = Y X

L.H.S = X Y

= {1, 2, 3, 4} {2, 3, 4} = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

R.H.S. = Y X

= {2, 3, 5} U {1, 2, 3, 4} = {2, 3, 5, 1, 4}

Therefore, X Y = Y X [verified]

(ii) (X Y) Z = X (Y Z)

L.H.S. = (X Y) Z

X Y = {1, 2, 3, 4} U {2, 3, 5}

= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Now (X Y) Z

= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} {4, 5, 6}

= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

R.H.S. = X U (Y Z)

Y Z = {2, 3, 5} {4, 5, 6}

= {2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

X (Y Z) = {1, 2, 3, 4} {2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Therefore, (X Y) Z = X (Y Z) [verified]