# Subset
**A [[set]] which contains elements all of which are also in another set.**
![[Subset.svg|250]]
*$A$ is a subset of $B$; $B$ is a superset $A$*
> [!Example] Subset and superset
> If $A$ is a *subset* of $B$, then[^1]
> $A\subseteq B, A\subset B$
> Additionally, $B$ would then be the *superset* of $A$ and[^1]
> $B\supseteq A, B\supset A$
^5c54ca
> [!Example] Proper subset and proper superset
> If $A$ is a subset of $B$, but is *not equal* to $B$, then
> - $A$ is a *proper subset* of $B$
> - $B$ is a *proper superset* of $A$.[^1]
> $A\subsetneq B, B\subsetneq A$
The relation symbolised by $\subseteq$ is known as *inclusion* or *containment*.
The [[Set#^5f880b|empty set]] is a subset of *every set* and every set is a *subset of itself*.
$\varnothing\subseteq A, A\subseteq A$
[^1]: Some authors may use $\subset$ and $\supset$ to indicate a *proper subset* and *proper superset* instead.