Concept, Set types and Acceptions

We explain that it is a set and the types of set that exist.Besides, examples and the various meanings of this term.

A set can also become an element.

What is set?

A set is defined as the grouping of different elements that share similar characteristics and properties with each other .These elements can be anything, such as numbers, songs, months, people, etcetera.

In turn a set can also become an element.For example, a bouquet of flowers.In principle a flower would be the first element, but the set of flowers can then be considered as a bouquet of flowers, thus becoming a new element.

See also: Database.

Types of sets

When forming a set, the way and how we group them together can vary, giving rise to different types of sets:

• Finite sets : The characteristic of this set is that its elements can be counted or enumerated in its entirety.For example, the months of the year establish a finite set: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October , November and December.


• Infinite set: A set will be infinite when its elements are impossible to count or enumerate in its entirety, because they have no end.The numbers are a clear example of an infinite set.


• Unitary set: The one that is composed of a single element.The moon is inside this set, because it is the only natural satellite of planet earth.


• Empty set: this is a set which does not present or have elements.


• Homogeneous set: Sets whose elements have the same class or category.


• Heterogeneous set: The elements of these sets differ in class and category.


• Equivalent sets: Those whose number of elements is the same will be equivalent.


• Equal sets: It can be said that two or more sets are equal, when they are composed of identical elements.

The term set in other fields

A vocal ensemble is the group of people that interprets a musical work.

Despite using the general meaning that mathematics gives for the word set, it can be used for other areas:

• Musical ensemble: This group will be called that which contains two or more people who, through the musical voice or instrument, represent musical works with specific styles.


• Programming set: In programming, a group of different values ​​is called set, which do not have a specific order or duplicate values.


• Vocal ensemble: It is the group of people that interprets a musical work in a coordinated way.


• Numeric set: Grouping of numbers through a series of structured properties.


• Instruction set: This is called the technical document that has the instructions that a computer CPU can execute.