NCERT Class 11 Maths Chapter 1 Notes Sets - Download PDF

NCERT Class 11 Maths Chapter 1 Notes Sets - Download PDF

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 16 Jul 2025, 12:39 PM IST

Want to grasp relationships, functions, and probability? It all begins with Sets. Sets allow you to recognise patterns, sequences, and membership in the numerical world. Picture yourself as the one who has to collect the participants' list for your college's yearly fest, which has different events. Now, some participants' names are in more than one category, and to avoid any duplication, you need to compare and group these lists. NCERT Class 11 Maths Chapter 1 notes on Set theory come into play in these types of situations and prove to be the saviour by comparing and organising the data. In these notes on Sets for class 11, we will cover some definitions and procedures involving sets. These NCERT notes for class 11 Maths help to make learning uncomplicated, simple, and easy in a stress-free environment.

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  1. Sets Class 11 Notes PDF download: Free PDF Download
  2. Sets Class 11 Notes
  3. Sets: Previous Year Question and Answer
  4. NCERT Class 11 Notes Chapter Wise

Sets are the foundation of modern mathematics and have many uses in real life. Understanding these core concepts well will help you score better in your Class 11 exams and in competitive exams too. Students can rely on these Sets Class 11 notes to revise and strengthen concepts after practising the textbook exercises. Curated by Careers360 experts, these NCERT notes strictly follow the updated CBSE syllabus, ensuring focused and effective learning. For full syllabus coverage and solved exercises as well as a downloadable PDF, please visit this link: NCERT.

Sets Class 11 Notes PDF download: Free PDF Download

Students who wish to access the Sets Class 11 Maths notes can click on the link below to download the entire solution in PDF.

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Sets Class 11 Notes

Sets

A set is a well-defined collection of elements. These elements may include numbers, symbols, variables, etc.

We generally represent them using capital letter(A, B, C, D, Z, N etc)

Elements in the sets are represented by small letters(a, b, c, d, e)

Elements of sets are represented using closed brackets { } .

Examples of sets:

  • i) set of first n natural numbers: N = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,.....,n
  • ii) set of rational numbers: R.
  • iii) set of whole numbers: W.
  • iv) set of positive integers: Z+
  • v) set of negative integers: Z-

Representation of Sets

We have 2 methods to represent a set:

1. Roster or Tabular Form

In roster form, all the elements of a set are listed; the elements are separated by commas and are enclosed within braces $\{ \}$.

Example: $\{\mathrm{a}, \mathrm{e}, \mathrm{i}, \mathrm{o}, \mathrm{u}\}$ represents the set of all the vowels in the English alphabet in roster form.
In roster form, the order in which the elements are listed is immaterial, i.e. the set of all natural numbers which divide 14 is $\{1,2,7,14\}$ and can also be represented as $\{1,14,7,2\}$.

An element is not generally repeated in the roster form of a set, i.e., all the elements are taken as distinct. For example, the set of letters forming the word 'SCHOOL' is $\{\mathrm{S}, \mathrm{C}, \mathrm{H}, \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{L}\}$ or $\{\mathrm{H}, \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{L}, \mathrm{C}, \mathrm{S} \}$. Here, the order of listing elements has no relevance.

2. Set-Builder Form

In set-builder form, all the elements of a set possess a single common property that is not possessed by any element outside the set. If $Z$ contains all values of $x$ for which the condition $q(x)$ is true, then we write

$
Z=\{x: q(x)\} \text { or } Z=\{x \mid q(x)\}
$
Where ': ' or ' | ' is read as 'such that'
eg. The set $A=\{0,1,8,27,64, \ldots$.$\}$ can be written in Set Builder form as
$\mathrm{A}=\left\{\mathrm{X}^3: \mathrm{X}\right.$ is a non-negative integer $\}$

Types of Sets

Empty set: A set that does not contain any elements and is empty. Such sets are called empty or null, or void sets.

Represented as: { } or ∅

Eg: A={x:1<x,x is a natural number}

So A is an empty set, as we don't have any natural element that is less than 1.

Finite set: A set that is empty or consists of a finite number of elements is called a finite set.
Examples: $\varphi,\{\mathrm{a}\},\{1,2,5,9\},\{\mathrm{x}: \mathrm{x}$ is a person of age more than 18$\}$

Infinite set: A set that has infinite elements is called an infinite set.
Examples:
a set of all the lines passing through a point,
set of all circles in a plane,
set of all points in a plane,
$N, Z, Q, Q ', R$
$\{x: 2<x<2.1\}$

Note: All finite sets can be represented in set-builder form, but infinite sets cannot be represented in set-builder form because they have no fixed pattern.

Singleton set: A set which is having only one element is called a singleton set.
Example: $\{3\},\{b\}$,
$\{\{1,2,3\}\}$ is also a singleton as it has one element, which is a set.
$\{\varphi\}$ is also a singleton set
Note: Empty and singleton sets are finite sets.

Equal sets: Sets where two sets have exactly the same elements.

Represented by the symbol: “ = “

Examples:

i) Let A, B be two sets.

A = set of natural even elements less than 10

A = {2, 4, 6, 8}

B = set of multiples of 2 less than 10 that are natural

B = {2, 4, 6, 8}

Here, A = B. Since every element of A is also an element of B, and vice versa.

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

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

Then also A = B, the set elements do not change even if repeated.

The order of the elements also doesn’t matter.

Subset

Any Set that has every element of another set is called a subset.

Representation: A⊂B if a ∈A ⇒ a ∈B

The above representation means that A should have every element of set B, but B need not have every element of A.

Note: Every set is a subset of itself

E.g.: A = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}

B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

A ⊂ B because every element of A is in B, but not every element of B is in A.

Venn diagram of a subset

Screenshot%202025-04-07%20125916

Proper set: If A⊂B and A≠B, then such set A is called a proper subset of B.

B is called the superset of A.

E.g.: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

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

Here A⊂B and A≠B.

So, A is a proper subset of B.

B is a superset of A.

Intervals of subsets

When a,b ∈ real numbers, a<b then,

Set of real numbers: {x: a<x<b} is an open interval, represented as (a, b).

The set that includes endpoints also then such intervals are closed intervals.

{y: a ≤ y ≤ b}, closed interval represented by [a, b].

Eg: (p, q] ⇒ {x: p < x ≤ q}

Here in the set elements include q and exclude p.

Pictorial representation of intervals

1646647930985

Power set: It is a set that is a collection of all subsets, including the null or empty set, and itself denotes a power set.

Represented by p(A).

E.g.: A = {1, 2, 3, 4}

Subsets: ∅, {1}, {2}, {3}, {4}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {1,4}, {2,3}, {2, 4}, {3, 4}, {1, 2, 3}, {1, 2, 4}, {1, 3, 4}, {2, 3, 4}, {1, 2, 3, 4}

Total subsets:16

Points:

  1. First is a null set

  2. Next singleton sets(sets with one element}

  3. Next, with two elements

  4. The set itself

Remember: {1, 2} = {2, 1}

(The order doesn’t matter, so it should be written only once.)

Formula to find a number of subsets

$\mathrm{m}=$ number of elements in set A
Formula: $2^m$
$E g: A=\{1,2,3,4\} \quad t=2^4=16$. We found the same above.

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

Subsets: ∅, {1}, {2}, {3}, {4}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {1, 4}, {2, 3}, {2, 4}, {3, 4}, {1, 2, 3}, {1, 2, 4}, {1, 3, 4}, {2, 3, 4}, {1, 2, 3, 4}

Total subsets:16

Universal Set

The set that includes all the elements is called a universal set.

Represented using U.

Venn Diagram:

1646647931234

{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} all belong to the universal set.

Operation of Sets

Union of sets: The set contains all the elements of A and B, and repeating elements of both sets A, B are taken only once.

Represented by: ∪

Read as A union B.

Set builder form of union sets:

{y: y∈A or y∈B}

Venn diagram of union:

1646647930704

Eg: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} B = {2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}

A∪B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}

Properties of union

  • $A \cup B=B \cup A \quad$ (Commutative Property)
  • $(A \cup B) \cup C=A \cup(B \cup C)$ (Associative property)
  • $\mathrm{A} \cup \varphi=\mathrm{A}$ (Law of identity element, $\varphi$ is the identity of Null Set)
  • $\mathrm{A} \cup \mathrm{A}=\mathrm{A}$ (Idempotent law)
  • $U \cup A=U($ Law of $U)$
  • If $A$ is a subset of $B$, then $A \cup B=B$

The Intersection of Sets

This set contains the elements that are common in the sets.

Represented as: ∩

Read as A intersection B.

Set builder form of intersection:

{y: y ∈ A and y ∈ B}

Venn diagram of AB:

1646647932075

Eg: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} B = (2, 4, 6, 8, 10}

A∩B = {2, 4, 6}

Properties of the intersection

  • $\mathrm{A} \cap \mathrm{B}=\mathrm{B} \cap \mathrm{A}$ (Commutative law).
  • $(A \cap B) \cap C=A \cap(B \cap C)$ (Associative law).
  • $\mathrm{A} \cap \phi=\phi$,
  • $\mathrm{A} \cap \mathrm{U}=\mathrm{A}$ (Law of $\phi$ and U$)$.
  • $\mathrm{A} \cap \mathrm{A}=\mathrm{A}$ (Idempotent law)
  • If $A$ is subset of $B$, then $A \cap B=A$

Difference of Sets:

In the set, the elements belong to A but do not belong to B; such sets are called Differences of sets.

Represented as: A-B

Set builder form: {y: y ∈ A and y ∉ B}

Venn diagram of A - B:

1646647930427

E.g.: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

B = {2, 3, 4, 8, 9}

A - B = {1, 5}

Here, even though we have {2, 3, 4} in A, as they also belong to B also do not include them in A - B.

Complement of a set

The elements other than A that are in the universe come under complement elements.

Represented by: A’

Set builder form: {y: y ∈ U and y ∉ A}

Venn diagram:

1646647932568

Eg: A = {y: y ∈ U and not divisor of 24}

A’ = {1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24}

Properties of complement sets

  1. A∪A’ = U (complement laws)

  2. A∩ A’ = ∅ (complement laws)

  3. (A∪B)’ = A’∩B’ (Demorgan’s law)

  4. (A∩B)’ = A’∪ B’ (Demorgan’s law)

  5. (A’)’ = A (double complement)

  6. U’ = ∅ and ∅’= U

De-Morgan’s Laws

1. (A ∪ B)′ = A′ ∩ B′

Let $x$ be any element in $(A \cup B)^{\prime}$

$
x \in(A \cup B)^{\prime} \Leftrightarrow x \notin(A \cup B)
$

$\Leftrightarrow x \notin A$ and $x \notin B$ (As $x$ does not belong to $A \cup B$, it cannot belong to both $A$ and B)
$
\begin{aligned}
& \Leftrightarrow x \in A^{\prime} \text { and } x \in B^{\prime} \\
& \Leftrightarrow x \in\left(A^{\prime} \cap B^{\prime}\right) \\
\therefore x \in(A \cup B)^{\prime} \Leftrightarrow & x \in\left(A^{\prime} \cap B^{\prime}\right)
\end{aligned}
$
So, any element that belongs to $(A \cup B)^{\prime}$ also belongs to $\left(A^{\prime} \cap B^{\prime}\right)$, and vice versa
So, these sets have exactly the same elements.
Hence, they are equal.

2. (A ∩ B)′ = A′ ∪ B′

Let $x$ be any element in $(A \cap B)^{\prime}$

$
x \in(A \cap B)^{\prime} \Leftrightarrow x \notin(A \cap B)
$

$k x \notin A$ or $x \notin B \quad$ (as $x \notin(A \cap B)$, means it is not common in $A$ and $B$, and thus either it is not in $A$ or not in B)

$
\begin{aligned}
& \Leftrightarrow x \in A^{\prime} \text { or } x \in B^{\prime} \\
& \Leftrightarrow x \in\left(A^{\prime} \cup B^{\prime}\right) \\
& \therefore x \in(A \cap B)^{\prime} \Leftrightarrow x \in\left(A^{\prime} \cup B^{\prime}\right)
\end{aligned}
$
So, any element that belongs to $(A \cap B)^{\prime}$ also belongs to $\left(A^{\prime} \cup B^{\prime}\right)$, and vice versa
So, these sets have exactly the same elements.
Hence, they are equal.

Theorems and Proofs

Theorem 1:

n(A∪B) = n(A) + n (B) - n(A∩B)

Proof:

n ( A – B) + n ( A ∩ B ) + n ( B – A )

n(A) - n ( A ∩ B ) + n(B) - n( A ∩ B ) + n( A ∩ B )

n(A) + n(B) - n( A ∩ B )

Hence, it is proved.

Theorem 2: n(A ∪ B ∪ C ) = n ( A ) + n ( B ) + n ( C ) – n ( A ∩ B ) – n ( B ∩ C) – n ( A ∩ C ) + n ( A ∩ B ∩ C )

Proof:

n ( A ∪ B ∪ C ) = n (A) + n ( B ∪ C ) – n [ A ∩ ( B ∪ C ) ]

n (A) + n ( B ) + n ( C ) – n ( B ∩ C ) – n [ A ∩ ( B ∪ C ) ]

n [ A ∩ ( B ∪ C ) ] = n ( A ∩ B ) + n ( A ∩ C ) – n [ ( A ∩ B ) ∩ (A ∩ C)] n ( A ∩ B ) + n ( A ∩ C ) – n (A ∩ B ∩ C)

Similarly for the other two:

Finally, it is proved.

n ( A ∪ B ∪ C ) = n (A) + n ( B ) + n ( C ) – n ( A ∩ B ) – n ( B ∩ C) – n ( A ∩ C ) + n ( A ∩ B ∩ C )

Sets: Previous Year Question and Answer

Question 1:
If A and B are two sets, then A ∩ (A ∪ B) equals:

Solution:
Let $x \in A \cap(A \cup B)$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \Rightarrow x \in A \text { and } x \in(A \cup B) \\
& \Rightarrow x \in A \text { and }(x \in A \text { or } x \in B) \\
& \Rightarrow(x \in A \text { and } x \in A) \text { or }(x \in A \text { and } x \in B \\
& \Rightarrow x \in A \text { or } x \in A \cap B
\end{aligned}
$
Hence, the correct answer is "A".

Question 2:
Two finite sets have m and n elements. The number of subsets of the first set is 112 more than that of the second set. The values of m and n are, respectively:

Solution:
According to the question we have,

$
\begin{aligned}
& 2^m-2^n=112 \\
& 2^n\left(2^{m-n}-1\right)=2^4 \times 7 \\
& 2^n=2^4 \text { and } 2^{m-n}-1=7 \\
& n=4 \text { and } 2^{m-n}=1+7=8=2^3 \\
& n+4 \text { and } m-n=3 \\
& m=7
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the correct answer is 7 and 4.

Question 3:
If sets A and B are defined as $A = \left\{(x,y):y= \frac{1}{x}, 0\neq x\in R \right \}\prod $ $B= \left\{(x,y):y= -x, x\in R \right \}$, then

Solution:
Given that $A = \left\{(x,y):y= \frac{1}{x}, 0\neq x\in R \right \}$ and $B= \left\{(x,y):y= -x, x\in R \right \}$

So, $y = \frac{1}{x}$ and $y = - x$

$\frac{1}{x} \neq - x$

$A\cap B = \phi$

Hence, the correct answer is "A ∩ B = φ".

NCERT Class 11 Notes Chapter Wise

We at Careers360 compiled all the NCERT class 11 Maths notes in one place for easy student reference. The following links will allow you to access them.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject-Wise

The following links contain subject-wise NCERT exemplar solutions. These solutions can be used to get acquainted with the concepts and score well in the exam.

NCERT Solutions Subject-Wise

The following list contains subject-wise NCERT solutions. These solutions cover all the concepts comprehensively.

NCERT Books and Syllabus

Students can use the following links to check the latest NCERT syllabus and read some reference books.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a Set in class 11 Maths chapter 1 notes?
A:

A set is a well-defined collection of distinct objects or elements. The objects in a set are called elements or members.
For example, the set of natural numbers less than 10 can be written as
A = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}.

Q: What is the weightage of the NCERT Class 11 Chapter 1 Sets in exam?
A:

The Sets chapter usually carries around 4 to 6 marks in the Class 11 Maths exam. It is a fundamental chapter and serves as the foundation for many other topics, so it is an important area to focus on during preparation.

Q: Is the "Sets" chapter important for competitive exams like JEE?
A:

Yes, the Sets chapter is important for competitive exams like JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Although the JEE Main may weigh this chapter less than others, it still contributes to the General Aptitude and Mathematics sections.
In JEE Main, expect 1-2 questions on Sets worth 4-6 marks in total.

Q: What types of questions are generally asked from the "Sets" chapter in the CBSE Class 11 exam?
A:

The questions from the Sets chapter typically fall into the following categories:

  • Definition-based questions

  • Set operations

  • Venn diagram-based problems

  • Set-builder form questions

  • Power set and Cartesian product

  • Application-based word problems

  • Complement of a set

Q: Give a few daily life examples where sets are used as per NCERT Class 11 Maths chapter 1 notes?
A:

Here are a few daily life examples where sets are used, based on NCERT Class 11 Maths Chapter 1:

  • Students in a class with Different Hobbies

  • Shopping Lists and Preferences

  • Grocery Store

  • Classroom Attendance Tracking

  • Selection of Teams or Groups

  • Student Performance Analysis in Subjects

  • Library Book Categories

  • Social Media Friendships and Connections

  • Survey on Favourite Foods or Activities

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