Symbol for Removing an Element from a Set: What Is It?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Shaybay92
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    Element Set Symbol
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying a symbol used to represent the operation of removing an element from a set to create a new set. Participants explore various symbols and their commonality in mathematical notation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that there is no standard symbol for the operation of removing an element from a set, suggesting that instructors may define their own symbols.
  • Another participant proposes that "\setminus" or "\" are the most common symbols used for this operation, while "-" is also mentioned as a possibility.
  • A further contribution describes the use of a symbol crossing out a figure to indicate removal, and mentions the use of a caret (^) placed over a symbol to signify it has been removed.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the specific symbol used by their lecturer and suggests that drawing the symbol might help identify it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there is no universally accepted symbol for this operation, and multiple competing views on potential symbols remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on a specific symbol.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the exact symbol used by the lecturer, and there are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions and contexts in which these symbols are applied.

Shaybay92
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My lecturer used a symbol in class that represents an element being removed from a set to form a new set. Does anyone know what this symbol is?
 
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There is no standard symbol for that specific operation but your instructor is free to define one. What symbol did he use?
 
Well that was the issue, I don't remember what the symbol was, I thought it was a standard.
 
[tex]\setminus[/tex] or \ is probably the most common; - is sometimes used instead.
 
The "\" crossing out a figure meaning it has been removed- erased if you like.

Often, you will see something like "^" directly over a symbol to mean it has been removed.
 
HallsofIvy said:
The "\" crossing out a figure meaning it has been removed- erased if you like.

Often, you will see something like "^" directly over a symbol to mean it has been removed.

Oh. I meant like [itex]\{1,2,3,4,5\}\setminus\{2,3\}=\{1,4,5\}[/itex].
 
If that's not it, perhaps you could draw the symbol here and see if any matches come up.

Or draw the symbol and show us.
 

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