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Common set symbols with meaning and how to type them in Ms Word (with shortcut)

set symbol in Word

Set is a collection of different elements. It could be numbers, alphabets, etc. Various symbols are used to denote them (like ℝ denote set of Real Numbers) and their relationship and operation (subset, union, etc).

These set symbols helps to represent mathematical ideas in a concise way and saves space and time. In this blog we have listed all the commonly used Set symbols together and how to get them in Ms Word along with their keyboard shortcuts

List of set symbols along with their meaning and how to get them in Ms Word

Three methods to get symbols in Ms Word

Insert Symbol Method: Go to Insert > Symbols and select More Symbols. In the symbol window, click the desired symbol and hit insert. Following table gives the subset dropdown option of each symbol that can help you find a symbol.

set symbols in Ms Word
Set symbols in Ms Word

Math AutoCorrect: This is the smartest way to get any symbol in Ms Word. Simply type the Math AutoCorrect text and hit space to get symbol. It works inside Equation editor. However, you can make it work outside equation editor, with following one time setting.

  • Go to File > Options to open Word Options
  • In Proofing and select AutoCorrect Options
  • In Math Autocorrect tab, check box against “Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of math regions”

Alt X Method: Type the Alt X code of symbol and press Alt + X immediately after it to get symbol.

Let’s say, P = {1, 2, 3, 4} and Q = {1, 3, 5}

SymbolName & MeaningExampleSubset of SymbolMath Autocorrect Shortcut (press space after shortcut to get symbol)Alt X Code (type this code and press Alt+X)
Natural number: All positive integers from 1 till infinityℕ = {1, 2, 3, …}letterlike symbols\doubleN2115
Integers: A whole number (not fractional ) that are +ve, -ve or 0ℤ = {…, -2, -1,0 ,1 ,2 ,…}letterlike symbols\doubleZ2124
Rational Numbers: a number that is of the form p/q where p and q are integers and q is not equal to 05, 10.45, 3/7letterlike symbols\doubleQ211A
𝔸Algebraic numbers: Number that is the solution to a polynomial with rational coefficients1, 3/7, √2Extended characters – Plane 1\doubleA1D538
Real numbers: A number that includes rational and irrational numbers2, π, 2/7letterlike symbols\doubleR211D
𝕀Imaginary numbers: a real number multiplied by an imaginary unit which is defined by its property i2 = −15i, πiExtended characters – Plane 1\doubleI1D540
Complex number: a number of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers2+3i, 1.5-1iletterlike symbols\doubleC2102
{ }Set: collection of elementsQ = {1, 3, 5}
A ∪ BUnion: in A or B (or both)P ∪ Q = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}Mathematical operators\bigcup222A
A ∩ BIntersection: in both AP ∩ Q = {1, 3}Mathematical operators\bigcap2229
A ⊆ BSubset: every element of A is in B{1, 3, 5} ⊆ Q or {2, 4} ⊆ PMathematical operators\subseteq2286
A ⊂ BProper Subset: every element of A is in B,
but B has more elements.
Correct: {1, 3} ⊂ Q
Incorrect: {1, 3, 5} ⊂ Q
Mathematical operators\subset2282
A ⊄ BNot a Subset: A is not a subset of B{5, 6} ⊄ QMathematical Operators2284
A ⊇ BSuperset: A has same elements as B, or more{1, 3, 5, 7} ⊇ {1, 3, 7} or {1, 3, 5, 7} ⊇ {1, 3, 5, 7}Mathematical operators\superseteq2287
A ⊃ BProper Superset: A has B’s elements and moreCorrect: {1, 3, 5, 7} ⊃ {3, 5, 7} Incorrect: {1, 3, 5, 7} ⊃ {1, 3, 5, 7}Mathematical operators\superset2283
A ⊅ BNot a Superset: A is not a superset of B{1, 3, 5, 7} ⊅ {1, 9}2285
AcComplement: Elements not in AQc = {1, 2, 6, 7}
A − BDifference: In A but not in BLet X = {1, 2, 3, 4} and Y = {2, 4}, then X – Y = {1, 3}
a ∈ AElement: a is an element of A3 ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4}Mathematical operator\in2208
b ∉ CNot an element: b is not an element of C2 ∉ {1, 3, 5}Mathematical operator\notelement2209
ØEmpty set: { }{1, 3} ∩ {2, 4} = ØMathematical operator\emptyset2205
𝕌Universal set: the set of all elements or members of all related setsExtended Characters – Plane 1\doubleU1D54C
P(A)Power set: all subset of AP({a, b}) = { {}, {a}, {b}, {a, b} }
A = BEquality: both sets have the same members{2, 5, 8} = {8, 2, 5}
A×BCartesian Product:
(set of ordered pairs from A and B)
{1, 2} × {a, b}
= {(1, a), (1, b), (2, a), (2, b)}
Latin-1 Supplement\times00D7
|A|Cardinality: number of elements of set A|{5, 6}| = 2
|Such thatn | n > 0 } = {1, 2, 3,…}
:Such thatn : n > 0 } = {1, 2, 3,…}
For all∀ x >1, x2 > x
(for all x greater than 1, x square is greater than x)
Mathematical operators\forall2200
There exists∃ x | x2 < x
(there exists x such that x squared is less than x)
Mathematical operators\exists2203
There does not exist∄ x | x +1 < xMathematical operator2204
Thereforea=b ∴ b=aMathematical operators\therefore2234
Set symbols, their meaning and how to get them in Ms Word

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