Binary set

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A binary set is a set with (exactly) two distinct elements, or, equivalently, a set whose cardinality is two.

Examples:

  • The set {a,b} is binary.
  • The set {a,a} is not binary, since it is the same set as {a}, and is thus a singleton.

In axiomatic set theory, the existence of binary sets is a consequence of the axiom of empty set and the axiom of pairing. From the axiom of empty set it is known that the set \emptyset = \{\} exists. From the axiom of pairing it is then known that the set \{\emptyset,\emptyset\} = \{\emptyset\} exists, and thus the set \{\{\emptyset\},\emptyset\} exists. This latter set has two elements.

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