Definition:Set Partition/Definition 1

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Definition

Let $S$ be a set.


A partition of $S$ is a set of subsets $\Bbb S$ of $S$ such that:

$(1): \quad$ $\Bbb S$ is pairwise disjoint: $\forall S_1, S_2 \in \Bbb S: S_1 \cap S_2 = \O$ when $S_1 \ne S_2$
$(2): \quad$ The union of $\Bbb S$ forms the whole set $S$: $\ds \bigcup \Bbb S = S$
$(3): \quad$ None of the elements of $\Bbb S$ is empty: $\forall T \in \Bbb S: T \ne \O$.


Also defined as

Some sources do not impose the condition that all sets in $\Bbb S$ are non-empty.

This is most probably more likely to be an accidental omission rather than a deliberate attempt to allow $\O$ to be an element of a partition.

The point is minor; proofs of partitionhood usually include a demonstration that all elements of such a partition are indeed non-empty.


Also see


Sources