Sets are fundamental objects in mathematics that represent a collection of distinct elements or members. They can contain anything from numbers to letters, and they are often denoted using curly braces, such as 1, 2, 3. The study of sets forms the basis for various mathematical concepts, including functions, relations, and probability. In set theory, operations such as union, intersection, and difference allow us to manipulate and analyze sets. For example, the union of two sets combines all unique elements from both, while the intersection finds common elements. Understanding sets is crucial for grasping more complex mathematical ideas and structures.