Here is your complete, SEO-optimized, and explanation-enhanced article on π§ͺ Python Set Exercises, including hands-on problems, line-by-line solutions, summary, FAQs, and SEO metadata:
π§ͺ Python Set Exercises β Practice Problems for Mastery
π§² Introduction β Why Practice Set Operations?
Python sets are efficient, powerful tools for managing unique values and performing mathematical set operations. By practicing set exercises, youβll reinforce your understanding of methods like add()
, union()
, intersection()
, and learn to apply sets in real-world problem solving such as duplicate removal, filtering, and group comparison.
π― In this guide, youβll practice:
- Creating and modifying sets
- Using set operations like union, intersection, and difference
- Filtering data and removing duplicates
- Applying real-world examples like tag merging and data validation
π Basic Set Exercises
β 1. Create a Set of Colors and Add a New One
colors = {"red", "green", "blue"}
colors.add("yellow")
print(colors)
β Explanation:
- Adds
"yellow"
to the set. - Sets store only unique values.
β 2. Remove an Element from a Set
colors.remove("green")
print(colors)
β Explanation:
- Removes
"green"
from the set. - Raises
KeyError
if the item is missing.
β
3. Use discard()
Without Error
colors.discard("black")
print(colors)
β Explanation:
"black"
isnβt present, butdiscard()
avoids raising an error.
π Intermediate Set Exercises
β 4. Find Common Items in Two Sets (Intersection)
a = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}
b = {"banana", "kiwi", "cherry"}
print(a & b)
β Explanation:
- Outputs
{'banana', 'cherry'}
β common to both sets.
β 5. Combine Two Sets Without Duplicates (Union)
print(a | b)
β Explanation:
- Returns a new set:
{'apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'kiwi'}
β 6. Find Items in One Set but Not Another (Difference)
print(a - b)
β Explanation:
- Returns items only in
a
:{'apple'}
β 7. Symmetric Difference β Items Not in Both Sets
print(a ^ b)
β Explanation:
- Outputs
{'apple', 'kiwi'}
β values that appear in one set but not both.
π§ Advanced Set Exercises
β 8. Remove Duplicates from a List
nums = [1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5]
unique = list(set(nums))
print(unique)
β Explanation:
- Converts list to set to eliminate duplicates.
- Converts back to list for ordered output.
β 9. Check Subset and Superset
x = {1, 2}
y = {1, 2, 3, 4}
print(x.issubset(y))
print(y.issuperset(x))
β Explanation:
x
is a subset ofy
, so both returnTrue
.
β 10. Compare Two Sets for Exact Equality
a = {1, 2, 3}
b = {3, 2, 1}
print(a == b)
β Explanation:
- Sets ignore order, so they’re equal:
True
π‘ Best Practices
- β
Use
set()
to remove duplicates quickly from any iterable. - β
Use
discard()
overremove()
for safe deletion. - β
Use operators (
|
,&
,-
,^
) for readable set operations. - β
When checking subset/superset, use
issubset()
andissuperset()
.
π Summary β Recap & Next Steps
Practicing Python set exercises helps you think in setsβsolving real problems like duplicate removal, tag merging, user permission management, and data filtering.
π Key Takeaways:
- β Sets automatically enforce uniqueness.
- β Use set methods and operators for clean, powerful logic.
- β Sets are ideal for deduplication, comparisons, and validation tasks.
βοΈ Real-World Relevance:
Youβll use sets in APIs, search filters, data pipelines, and permissions logicβanywhere uniqueness and speed matter.
β FAQ Section β Python Set Exercises
β How do I remove duplicates from a list using sets?
β Convert the list to a set:
unique = list(set(my_list))
β What is the fastest way to combine two sets?
β
Use the union operator |
:
result = set1 | set2
β Whatβs the difference between remove()
and discard()
?
β
remove()
throws an error if the item isnβt found. discard()
ignores missing items.
β How can I check if one set is a subset of another?
β
Use issubset()
:
set1.issubset(set2)
β Are Python sets ordered?
β No. Sets are unorderedβthere is no guaranteed order of items.
Share Now :