What does vertical bars around a set mean?

In summary, the vertical bars in |A∪B| represent the cardinality of the union of sets A and B, which is the number of elements in the set. This is a common notation used to denote the "size" of a set.
  • #1
Joseph1739
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I'm trying to figure out what the vertical bars in |A∪B| mean given that A and B are both sets. I tried searching for it, and can't seem to find the meaning of it. Is it supposed to be absolute value of all the elements of the union of sets A and B?
 
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  • #2
Putting bars on either side of something usually represents getting the "size" of that something. So, e.g., ## | \textbf{v} | ## is the magnitude of a vector. In this case the bars most likely mean the cardinality of the set. For a finite set, that's just the number of elements in the set.
 

1. What is the purpose of vertical bars around a set?

The vertical bars around a set are used to denote that the elements inside the bars belong to that set. It is a commonly used notation in mathematics to represent sets.

2. How do I read the notation with vertical bars around a set?

The notation with vertical bars around a set is read as "such that" or "where". For example, the set {x | x is an even number} can be read as "the set of all x such that x is an even number".

3. Are the elements inside the vertical bars inclusive or exclusive?

The elements inside the vertical bars are inclusive, meaning they are considered as part of the set. This means that the elements inside the bars are included in the set, while those outside the bars are not.

4. Can the vertical bars be used for any type of set?

Yes, the vertical bars can be used for any type of set, including numbers, letters, or even more complex objects. It is a universal notation in mathematics and is not limited to specific types of sets.

5. Is there a difference between using vertical bars and curly braces for sets?

Yes, there is a difference between using vertical bars and curly braces for sets. The vertical bars are used specifically to denote the elements that belong to the set, while curly braces can also be used for other purposes, such as representing a sequence or a function.

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