Revision sheet: Fundamentals of Number Sets and Operations

1. 📌 Essentials

Number sets: ℕ = {0,1,2,...}, ℤ = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...}, ⅅ = finite decimals, ℚ = rationals, ℝ = reals.

• Set inclusion: ℕ ⊂ ℤ ⊂ ⅅ ⊂ ℚ ⊂ ℝ.
• Intervals notation: [a; b], ]a; b[, [a; +∞[, ]-∞; b[.
• Interval types: open ( ]a; b[ ), closed ( [a; b] ), infinite ( [a; +∞[ ).
• Operations: Intersection ( ∩ ), Union ( ∪ ).
• Absolute value: |x| = x if x ≥ 0; = -x if x < 0.
• Distance between points: |a - b|.
• Equation with absolute value: |x - c| = d → x = c ± d.
• Inequality with absolute value: |x - c| ≤ d → x ∈ [c - d; c + d].
• Scientific notation: number = a × 10^n, with 1 ≤ a < 10.
• Bounding (Encadrement): find a < x < b for approximation.
• Inclusion relationships: ℕ ⊂ ℤ ⊂ ⅅ ⊂ ℚ ⊂ ℝ.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Natural numbers (ℕ): Counting numbers, including zero.
• Integers (ℤ): All positive and negative whole numbers.
• Finite decimals (ⅅ): Numbers with a finite decimal expansion.
• Rational numbers (ℚ): Numbers expressible as a/b, with a, b ∈ ℤ, b ≠ 0.
• Real numbers (ℝ): All numbers on the number line, including irrationals like π, √2.
• Intervals: Defined by bounds, open or closed, finite or infinite.
• Absolute value: Measures magnitude, regardless of sign.
• Equations/inequalities: Involving |x - c|, solved via ± d or interval notation.
• Scientific notation: Compact form for large/small numbers.

3. 🔬 Functions, Mechanisms & Relationships

• Number set hierarchy: ℕ ⊂ ℤ ⊂ ⅅ ⊂ ℚ ⊂ ℝ.
• Intervals: Represent ranges; operations include intersection and union.
• Absolute value: Converts negative to positive; distance is symmetric.
• Equation solving: |x - c| = d → two solutions; |x - c| ≤ d → interval.
• Bounding: Find bounds a, b such that a < x < b for approximation.
• Scientific notation: Facilitates handling very large or small numbers.
• Operations on sets: Intersection finds common elements; union combines sets.
• Number approximation: Use bounds and scientific notation for estimation.

4. Comparative Table

Item	Key Features	Notes / Differences
ℕ (Natural)	Counting numbers including zero	Smallest set, includes 0
ℤ (Integers)	All positive and negative whole numbers	Extends ℕ, includes negatives
ⅅ (Finite decimals)	Numbers with finite decimal expansion	Subset of ℚ, finite digits after decimal
ℚ (Rationals)	Numbers as fractions a/b, b ≠ 0	Dense in ℝ, includes all finite/periodic decimals
ℝ (Reals)	All real numbers, irrationals included	Complete number line
Intervals	[a; b], ]a; b[, [a; +∞[, ]-∞; b[	Open/closed, finite/infinite bounds
Absolute value		x
Equation solutions		x - c
Inequality bounds		x - c
Scientific notation	a × 10^n, 1 ≤ a < 10	Compact representation for large/small numbers

5. 🗂️ Hierarchical Diagram (ASCII)

Number Sets
 ├─ ℕ = {0, 1, 2, ...}
 ├─ ℤ = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...}
 ├─ ⅅ = Finite decimals
 ├─ ℚ = a/b, b ≠ 0
 └─ ℝ = All real numbers

Intervals
 ├─ Notation: [a; b], ]a; b[, [a; +∞[, ]-∞; b[
 ├─ Open interval: ]a; b[
 ├─ Closed interval: [a; b]
 └─ Infinite: [a; +∞[, ]-∞; b[

Operations
 ├─ Intersection: A ∩ B
 └─ Union: A ∪ B

Absolute Value & Distance
 ├─ |x| = x if x ≥ 0, else -x
 └─ Distance: |a - b|

Solving Equations & Inequalities
 ├─ |x - c| = d → x = c ± d
 └─ |x - c| ≤ d → x ∈ [c - d; c + d]

Encadrement & Scientific Notation
 ├─ Find bounds a < x < b
 └─ Write as a × 10^n with 1 ≤ a < 10

6. ⚠️ High-Yield Pitfalls & Confusions

• Confusing open [a; b[ and closed [a; b] intervals.
• Forgetting that |x - c| = d yields two solutions: x = c ± d.
• Misinterpreting the bounds of inequalities involving absolute value.
• Assuming all decimals are finite; some are infinite (irrationals).
• Mixing up the set inclusions: ℕ ⊂ ℤ ⊂ ℚ ⊂ ℝ.
• Overlooking that ℚ is dense but not complete; ℝ includes irrationals.
• Not using proper notation for infinite intervals.
• Neglecting to specify bounds when approximating numbers.

7. ✅ Final Exam Checklist

• Know definitions and notations for ℕ, ℤ, ⅅ, ℚ, ℝ.
• Understand set inclusion relationships.
• Be able to write and interpret interval notation.
• Perform set operations: intersection and union.
• Calculate and interpret |x| and |a - b|.
• Solve equations involving |x - c| = d and inequalities |x - c| ≤ d.
• Use bounds to encadrer (approximate) numbers.
• Convert numbers to scientific notation and vice versa.
• Recognize the difference between open and closed intervals.
• Understand the properties of rational and irrational numbers.
• Apply interval operations to solve inequalities.
• Use bounds for approximations within specified error margins.
• Be aware of common pitfalls in interval and set notation.
• Memorize the hierarchy of number sets and their properties.
• Practice converting large/small numbers into scientific notation efficiently.
• Review examples of bounding and approximation techniques.

End of Revision Sheet