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12 grade maths others

What is the total number of proper subsets of a set containing n elements?

  • A: 2n - 1
  • B: 2n - 2
  • C: 2n - 1
  • D: 2n - 2

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9 Months agoGrade
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer9 Months ago

The total number of proper subsets of a set containing \( n \) elements can be determined using the concept of subsets in set theory.

Understanding Proper Subsets

A proper subset is any subset of a set that is not equal to the original set itself. This means that if you have a set with \( n \) elements, the total number of subsets, including the empty set and the set itself, is \( 2^n \).

Calculating Proper Subsets

To find the number of proper subsets, you need to exclude the original set from the total count of subsets. Therefore, the formula for the number of proper subsets is:

  • Total subsets: \( 2^n \)
  • Proper subsets: \( 2^n - 1 \)

Final Answer

Thus, the correct answer is A: 2n - 1.