Sets (Beginner)

Mentor: A set is a group of elements that all share something in common.

Student 1: So can you organize items by sets?

Mentor: Yes you can, organizing items by sets can make looking at a large group of things easier. Can you think of a place that organizes things by sets?

Student 2: Yes the grocery store is organized by sets, each aisle represents a different set.

Mentor: Correct! So what are some sets or aisles that we find in the grocery store?

Student 2: Well there's the frozen foods.

Mentor: Ok, Can you think of sets that make up the frozen foods?

Student 1: Yes, there are frozen vegetables, desserts, fruits, and meals.

Mentor: Great job! Each item that belongs to a set is called an element when looked at as an individual item.

Student 2: Ok so an element could be an apple pie, which would belong in the set desserts.

Mentor: Correct! An element is a single object, but within the set food, you have several other sets. Can you think of a smaller set that an apple pie could fit in?

Student 1: Yes. Apple pie could fit into a set for round foods.

Student 2: Or a set for foods with fruit in them or even foods that are baked.

Mentor: Exactly, one element can belong in many sets.

Student 1: Blue is an element of the set colors but a smaller set that blue belongs to would be cool colors.

Mentor: Now that you have an understanding of how to find what set an element fits into, can you give me a list of elements that all belong in the same set? Think about a set other than colors and fruits since we already discussed those.

Student 2: A set could be school supplies, and the elements can be pencil, pen, glue, markers, and scissors.

Mentor: Exactly! Can someone name a set within that set.

Student 1: Yes, writing utensils, which would include pencils, pens, and markers.

Mentor: I think you've got the hang of it! Great job!