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126 LearnersLast updated on October 30, 2025

In set theory, two sets are considered equal when they contain exactly the same elements, no matter the order or repetition. Equality focuses on identical membership, meaning every element of one set must also belong to the other.
Equal sets are made up of the same elements. This means that each element in one set needs to be present in the other. For example, Sets A = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} and B = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10} are two examples. They are equal sets since they have the same elements, despite having different orders.
Difference Between Equal and Equivalent Sets
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Equal Sets |
Equivalent Sets |
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In two or more sets, all the elements are equal. |
Two or more sets are equivalent if they have the same number of elements. |
| The cardinality of equal sets is the same. |
The cardinality of equivalent sets is the same. |
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Their element in both sets is identical |
Only the number of elements is the same |
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‘=’ is the symbol for equal sets. |
~ or ≡ is the symbol used to represent equivalent sets. |
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All equal sets are equivalent sets. |
Equivalent sets may or may not be equal. |
Equal sets are represented by fully overlapping circles in a Venn diagram, since they have identical components. For example, A = B if set A = {11, 22, 33} = B = {11, 22, 33}. As a result, the two circles that stand for A and B will exactly overlap, demonstrating their content equality.
What are the Properties of Equal Sets?
Equal sets are simple to recognize and comprehend due to a few essential properties:
The tips and tricks that are useful to master the topic Equal Sets are mentioned below. These simple techniques will help you easily identify, compare, and understand when two sets are truly equal.
Understand the Definition Clearly: Two sets are equal only when they have exactly the same elements, no more, no less.
Ignore Order of Elements: Remember that order doesn’t matter; {1,2,3} = {3,2,1}
Eliminate Duplicates: Repeated elements don’t affect equality {2,2,3} = {2,3}.
Compare Elements One-by-One: Always check if every element of one set exists in the other.
Use Venn Diagrams: Visualize equal sets as overlapping circles that coincide completely.
Here are some common mistakes students make regarding equal sets with solutions.
Let us see how equal sets help in real life.
Do the sets A = {8, 9, 3, 4} and B = {4, 3, 8, 9} have equal values?
Yes, they have equal values. A = B.
The order of elements is irrelevant in set theory. But, 4 elements 8, 9, 3, and 4 are in set A. These four elements are also present in set B, though the order is different. Both sets are said to be equal since they don’t contain any extra or missing elements.
Are A = {orange, grapes, mango} and B = {grapes, mango, orange, orange} equal?
Yes, A = B
Sets automatically ignore repeated elements, even though set B seems to have an extra “orange”. Since every element in set theory is distinct, multiple instances of the same element are only counted once. The same unique components, grapes, mango, and orange, are present in both sets. The sets are equal as a result.
Are A = {0} and B = ∅ equal?
No, they are not equal, A ≠ B
The number 0 is the only element in set A. This indicates that its cardinality, or total number of elements, is 1. The empty set, B (∅), doesn’t have any elements. A set differs even if 0 is present. These sets are therefore not equal.
Do the sets A = {x, y, z} and B = {v, x, y, z} have equal values?
No, they are not equal A ≠ B
The sets are equal because they have the same elements. The three components of set A are x, y, and z. The same three components are present in set B, along with the additional element “v”. This extra component gives set B content that set A does not. Therefore, they are not an equal set.
Are A = {‘2’, 4} and B = {2, 4} equal?
No, they are not equal A ≠ B
Here, the elements ‘2’ and 2 are different; one is a string and the other is an integer. Even though the number 4 appears in both sets. ‘2’ is a text string and 2 is an integer number. Data types are important in set theory; ‘2’ and 2 are not the same element. The sets are not equal because one element is different.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
: He loves to play the quiz with kids through algebra to make kids love it.






