Difference and symmetric difference in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the difference() method do in Python sets?

It returns a new set with elements that are in the first set but not in the second set.

beginner

What is the result of {1, 2, 3}.difference({2, 3, 4})?

The result is {1} because 1 is only in the first set, not in the second.

beginner

What does the symmetric_difference() method do in Python sets?

It returns a new set with elements that are in either of the sets but not in both.

beginner

What is the result of {1, 2, 3}.symmetric_difference({2, 3, 4})?

The result is {1, 4} because 1 and 4 are in only one of the sets, not both.

intermediate

How is symmetric difference different from difference?

Difference gives elements only in the first set. Symmetric difference gives elements in either set but not in both.

What does {1, 2, 3} - {2, 4} return?

A {4}

B {1, 3}

C {2}

D {1, 2, 3, 4}

The difference removes elements in the second set from the first, so {1, 3} remains.

Which method returns elements in either set but not both?

A difference()

B intersection()

C union()

D symmetric_difference()

symmetric_difference() returns elements exclusive to each set, excluding common elements.

What is the output of {5, 6}.symmetric_difference({6, 7})?

A {5, 6, 7}

B {6}

C {5, 7}

D {}

Elements 5 and 7 are in only one set each, so they form the symmetric difference.

If A = {1, 2, 3} and B = {2, 3, 4}, what is A.difference(B)?

A {1}

B {1, 4}

C {2, 3}

D {4}

Only 1 is in A but not in B, so difference returns {1}.

Which operator is equivalent to symmetric_difference()?

A ^

B &

C -

D |

The caret (^) operator returns the symmetric difference of two sets.

Explain in your own words the difference between the difference and symmetric difference of two sets.

Think about what elements are left after removing common ones.

Write a Python code snippet that shows how to find the symmetric difference between two sets and print the result.

Use sets like {1, 2} and {2, 3} to see what changes.