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Subset Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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subset

[ˈsʌbˌsɛt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

A set that is part of another set.

Synonyms

subgroup.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
subset

Used when referring to a part of a larger group or set, typically within mathematical, statistical, or programming contexts.

  • In a Venn diagram, a subset is a smaller circle within a larger circle, representing a part of a group.
  • This dataset is a subset of the larger census data.
subgroup

Applied when describing a smaller, distinguishable group within a larger group, often used in social, organizational, or research contexts.

  • There is a subgroup of students who are interested in environmental science.
  • In our company, there is a subgroup of employees focused on tech innovation.

Examples of usage

  • The set of even numbers is a subset of the set of integers.
  • The set of red fruits is a subset of the set of fruits.
Context #2 | Noun

computer science

A collection of elements from a given set.

Synonyms

subsequence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
subset

Used in mathematics and set theory to denote a set where all its elements are contained in another set. It is also used generally to refer to any smaller group formed from a larger group.

  • The set of even numbers is a subset of the set of integers.
  • The marketing team is a subset of the entire company.
subsequence

Used in mathematics and computer science to denote a sequence derived from another sequence by deleting some elements without changing the order of the remaining elements.

  • In the sequence (1, 3, 5, 7), the subsequence (1, 5) is derived by removing the elements 3 and 7.
  • Finding a common subsequence is essential in DNA sequence analysis.

Examples of usage

  • The subset of elements with a specific property may be of interest in data analysis.
  • In programming, subsets are often used to represent various data structures.
Context #3 | Noun

general

A group or category that is a part of a larger group or category.

Synonyms

segment, subdivision.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
subset

This entry is a repetition. Please refer to the first entry for 'subset'.
subdivision

This term is often used to talk about divisions within larger structures or organizations, and is also common in real estate to describe sections of land.

  • The company has a subdivision that focuses on research and development.
  • They bought a house in a new suburban subdivision.
segment

This word is suitable for dividing something into smaller parts, often used in business, marketing, or describing physical objects.

  • They targeted a specific segment of the market.
  • He cut the cake into equal segments.

Examples of usage

  • The team of researchers is a subset of the larger scientific community.
  • The luxury car market is a subset of the overall automobile industry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In set theory, a subset is defined as a set where all its elements are also contained in another set.
  • For any set A, the empty set (a set with no elements) and the set A itself are considered subsets of A.
  • The number of subsets that can be formed from a set with n elements is 2^n, which explains the exponential growth of combinations.

Computer Science

  • In programming, subsets are often used in algorithms to filter or categorize data effectively.
  • Data structures like arrays can have subarrays, which are similar concepts to subsets in that they contain elements from a larger array.
  • Subset-sum problems are common in computer science, where the goal is to determine if there is a subset that adds up to a specific number.

Linguistics

  • The term 'subset' can also refer to a specific category of words or phrases within a larger vocabulary in linguistics.
  • In syntax, subsets can represent hierarchical structures within sentences, organizing phrases by function.
  • Language learning often involves subsets, where students focus on a particular theme or group of vocabulary.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Aristotle discussed subsets in relation to categories, where a subset must share a common property with its larger set.
  • The idea of subsets can raise questions about identity and similarity, exploring how smaller groups develop characteristics based on their larger context.
  • In logical reasoning, understanding subsets is crucial for constructing valid arguments and discerning relationships between different categories.

Origin of 'subset'

The term 'subset' originated in mathematics in the mid-19th century. It is derived from the prefix 'sub-', meaning 'under' or 'below', and the word 'set', which refers to a collection of distinct objects. The concept of subsets plays a fundamental role in various fields, including mathematics, computer science, and general categorization.

See also: beset, offset, onset, preset, reset, set, setback, setlist, settability, settee, setting, settings, settling, setup, unset.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,645 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.