set theory

noun
1.
the branch of mathematics that deals with relations between sets.
Origin
1940-45
Examples from the web for set theory
  • One can describe the difference between constructs and concepts in terms of set theory.
  • In standard set theory, each element is either completely a member of a category or not a member at all.
British Dictionary definitions for set theory

set theory

noun
1.
(maths) the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and interrelationships of sets
2.
(logic) a theory constructed within first-order logic that yields the mathematical theory of classes, esp one that distinguishes sets from proper classes as a means of avoiding certain paradoxes
set theory in Technology
mathematics
A mathematical formalisation of the theory of "sets" (aggregates or collections) of objects ("elements" or "members"). Many mathematicians use set theory as the basis for all other mathematics.
Mathematicians began to realise toward the end of the 19th century that just doing "the obvious thing" with sets led to embarrassing paradoxes, the most famous being Russell's Paradox. As a result, they acknowledged the need for a suitable axiomatisation for talking about sets. Numerous such axiomatisations exist; the most popular among ordinary mathematicians is Zermelo Fränkel set theory.
The beginnings of set theory (https://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistoryTopics.html).
(1995-05-10)