How many subsets are in {∅} and {0}?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of subsets in sets containing the empty set. It is clarified that for the set ##{\emptyset}##, there is only one subset, while for the set ##{0}##, there are two subsets. The conversation highlights the difference between "the empty set" and "the set containing the empty set as the only element" and states that mathematically, they are not the same thing. It is emphasized that in both cases, there are two subsets, regardless of the element.
  • #1
angela107
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For ##{∅}##, I've come to the conclusion that there is only one subset because it has the empty set and itself as subsets. In this case, there are the same thing.

For ##{0}##, there should be two subsets; the empty set and the set itself.

Am I right?
 
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  • #2
##\{\emptyset\}## has ##\emptyset## and ##\{\emptyset\}## as subsets and they are not equal. So you are not correct.
 
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  • #3
Math_QED said:
##\{\emptyset\}## has ##\emptyset## and ##\{\emptyset\}## as subsets and they are not equal. So you are not correct.
I see. There are two subsets; ##∅##, and the subset itself.
 
  • #4
angela107 said:
I see. There are two subsets; ##∅##, and the subset itself.
This is an example where you must think logically rather than practically. There is a difference between "the empty set", denoted by ##\emptyset## and "the set containing the empty set as the only element", denoted by ##\{\emptyset \}##.

A non-mathematician might claim that in both cases you have precisely nothing. But, mathematically, they are not the same thing.
 
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  • #5
In both cases you hve a set with one element, hence there are two subsets, the subset containing that element and the one not containing it. It does not matter what the element is.
 

1. How many subsets are in {∅}?

The empty set {∅} has only one subset, which is the empty set itself.

2. How many subsets are in {0}?

The set {0} contains one element, which means it has two subsets: the empty set {∅} and the set itself {0}.

3. What is the cardinality of the power set of {∅}?

The power set of {∅}, denoted as P({∅}), has a cardinality of 2^0 = 1. This means it contains only one subset, which is the empty set {∅}.

4. Is the empty set {∅} a proper subset of {0}?

No, the empty set {∅} is not a proper subset of {0}. In order for a set A to be a proper subset of another set B, A must be a subset of B and A must not be equal to B. Since {∅} is a subset of {0}, but {∅} is also equal to {0}, it is not a proper subset.

5. How many elements are in the power set of {0}?

The power set of {0}, denoted as P({0}), has a cardinality of 2^1 = 2. This means it contains two subsets: the empty set {∅} and the set itself {0}.

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