Module 2

Mathematical Language and

Symbols
About This Module
This modules shows how to view mathematics as a
language by using analogies with the English language.
It also shows translations of words to symbols and vice
versa.
Substopics
Analogy of the mathematical language to the English
language.
Identify the properties of different numbers and learn
how to classify them.
Learn the meaning and applications of mathematical
operations and be able to translate mathematical
operations into words.
Introduction to mathematical logic and its symbols
 Mathematical
Language and Symbols
The Language of Mathematics
Intended Learning
Outcomes
• Discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of
mathematics
• Explain the nature of mathematics as a language
• Recognize the analogy of the mathematical
language to the English language.
The Language of
Mathematics
People frequently have trouble understanding mathematical
ideas: not necessarily because the ideas are difficult, but
because they are being presented in a
foreign language – the language of mathematics.
The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the
kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to express.

It is:
• precise (able to make very fine distinctions);
• concise (able to say things briefly);
• powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease).
English VS Mathematics
[1]
[1]
Mathematical
Expressions
An expression is the mathematical analogue of an English
noun; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
used to represent a mathematical object of interest. An
expression does NOT state a complete thought; in particular,
it does not make sense to ask if an expression is true or
false.
• NUMBERS
• SETS
• FUNCTIONS
• ORDERED
• PAIRS
• MATRICES
• VECTORS
• ……etc
Variables are letters or letter-like symbols used to
represent an unknown or arbitrary quantity.

Her age 𝒂
A number 𝒏

Common symbols for real numbers 𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛

Common symbols for integers 𝒏, 𝒎, 𝒊, 𝒋, 𝒌
 + − × ÷ ∪ ∩

Are some symbols which are used as connectives like

“and” and “or”

3+5 4 ÷ 1.2 𝐴∪𝐵

“three plus five”

“four divided by 1.2”
“A union B”
Just like synonyms (different names for the same object),
expressions have lots of different names. Even more
importantly, the name we use depends on what we are doing
with the expression.
5 2+3 10 ÷ 2 6−2 +1 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1

“five”
“2 and three”
“half of 10”
“six less 2, increased by 1”
“combine five 1s”
To simplify an expression means to get a different name for
the expression, that in some way is simpler.

• Fewer symbols
• Fewer operations
• Better suited for current use
• Preferred style/format.
 𝟑 𝟐+𝟓
=𝟕
𝟒−𝟏

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 𝟏
𝟒
= 𝟐
𝒙 −𝟏 𝒙 −𝟏
Mathematical
Sentences
A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English
sentence; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical
symbols that states a complete thought. It makes sense to
ask about the TRUTH of a sentence: Is it true? Is it false? Is it
sometimes true/sometimes false?
In the mathematical sentence ` 3 + 4 = 7 ', the verb is `=‘.

Other verbs in mathematics:

< > ≤ ≥ ∈ ∉ ⊂

𝟓+𝟑=𝟖 −𝟒<𝟐 𝑨⊂𝑩 𝒙∈𝑨

“5 plus 3 is 8” “4 is less than 2”

“A is a subset of B” “x is an element of set A”
Expressions Sentences
Three years Terry is three years old
3 𝑇 = 3
Five and two The seven chocolates are five dark
and two white
5 + 2 7 = 5 + 2
One candy each for three I need at least three candies
1+1+1 𝑐≥3
 Mathematical
Language and Symbols
The Set of Real Numbers
Intended Learning
Outcomes
• Identify the properties of different numbers
• Classify numbers to different subsets
• Plot points
• Graph Intervals
Real Numbers
Numbers are used in a variety of ways:
• to count things: e.g., 3 books
• to measure things: e.g., 1/2 cup milk
• to identify things: e.g., stock #1730412
• to order things: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, …
Although numbers come in lots of different sizes, and have
lots of different names, all these numbers live on the `line’
shown below. This is called a real number line,
A number line provides us with a picture of a collection of
numbers referred to as the real numbers. It is a conceptually
perfect picture, in the following sense:

• every point on the line corresponds to a real number; and

• every real number corresponds to a point on the line.
A solid dot indicates that a number is included.
A hollow dot indicates that a number is not included.
There are two different concepts frequently used to compare
numbers:
• SIZE: the size of a number refers to its distance from zero.
The words `bigger' and `smaller' are used to talk about size.
• ORDER: there is a natural left/right ordering on the number
line. Given any two numbers, either they are equal, or one lies
to the right of the other. The words `greater than' and `less
than' are used to talk about order.
• On a number line, real numbers are ordered left to right,
lowest to highest
One important property of the real numbers is that they are
dense; that is, between every two different real numbers (no
matter how close they are), there is another real number.
Indeed, between every two different real numbers, there
are an infinite number of real numbers!
Sets
A set is a collection with the following property:
given any object, either the object is in the
collection, or isn't in the collection.

The objects in a set are called elements.

P is the set of primary colors
𝑷 = { 𝒓𝒆𝒅, 𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘, 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆}

A is the set of the first five counting numbers

𝑨 = {𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓}
Sets are usually names using capital letters or special
symbols for special known sets.

The symbol ∈ is used to express that something belongs

in a set, while ∉ is used if it doesn’t.

𝑨 = {𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓}
1 is an element of set A 𝟏∈𝑨
7 is not and element of set A 𝟕 ∉ 𝑨
Set 𝑨 is a subset of set 𝑩 if every element of 𝑨 are in 𝑩.

𝑨 = 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓
𝑩 = {−𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓, 𝟔}

𝑨⊂𝑩
 The set of real numbers is represented by the symbol ℝ
Subsets of the set of ℝ
Natural/Counting Numbers ℕ = {1, 2,3, 4, … }
Whole Numbers Counting numbers including 0
𝑾 = {0, 1, 2, 3, … }
Integers Counting number, their opposites/negatives, and zero
ℤ = {… , −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, … }
Rational Numbers Real numbers which can be expressed as a ratio of two
numbers (or as a fraction). Integers, terminating decimals
and nonterminating but repeating decimals.
2 3 1
2, = 0.75 = 0.3333 … =
1 4 3
Irrational Numbers Nonterminating, nonrepeating decimals
𝜋 = 3.14159265 … ., 2 = 1.414213 …
 ℝ
ℚ

𝑊
ℕ
 Mathematical
Language and Symbols
Operations and Translations
Intended Learning
Outcomes
• Perform operations on mathematical expressions
correctly
• Translate symbols to words and vice versa
Operations and
Translations
 Operation Symbols Words and phrases used / examples Expression
“parenthesis” “the group of” “the
Grouping , , (𝑥 + 3)
quantity of”
Exponent Superscript -raised to the power of five 𝑥5
-A number squared 𝑛2
-A number cubed 𝑛3

Multiplication ⋅ multiplied by, of, times, product of, 3⋅5 3×5

× doubled, tripled (3)(5)
Parentheses 𝑥𝑦
Variables written Twice the number 2𝑛
together Four times the number 4𝑛
Operation Symbols Words and phrases used / examples Expression

Division / or long divided by, the quotient of, per, each, out of, ratio 𝑛
horizontal A number is halved 2
line A number divided by ten 𝑛/10
Addition + Plus, more than, added to, and, sum, total,
increased by, combined
The sum of five and a number 5 + 𝑛
Three is added to a number 𝑛 + 3
A number is increased by two 𝑛 + 2
 Operation Symbols Words and phrases used / examples Expression
Subtraction – Minus, less, less than, fewer, difference between,
decreased by, subtracted from
A number is decreased by four 𝑛– 4
Six is subtracted from a number 𝑛– 6
5 less 3 5−3
Three less than twice the number 2𝑛 – 3
The difference between ten and five 10 – 5
Equal = Equal to, is, gives, same as 𝑥=5
Less than < Is less than, is smaller than, is fewer than
and A number is less than 5 𝑛<5
greater > Is greater than, is bigger than, is more than
than She is taller than 6 feet. ℎ>6
Operation Symbols Words and phrases used / examples Expression

Less than ≤ Less than or equal to, at most, not more than
or equal to
Costs at most P500. 𝐶 ≤ 500
Expenses should be not more than P10,000 𝐸 ≤ 10000
Greater ≥ Greater than or equal to, at least, not less than
than or
equal to Height must be at least175cm ℎ ≥ 175
The quantity cannot be less than 90 𝑞 ≥ 90
Expression / Sentence Symbols
A number tripled 3𝑥
Square of the sum of a number and 5 𝑛+5 2
Half of the product of two numbers 𝑥𝑦
2
Her age is 3 less than twice her son’s age 𝑎 = 2𝑠 − 3
The cost is less than the difference of the two 𝑐 < 𝑝1 − 𝑝2
prices
 Property Expression Example
Associative Property of Addition (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) (2 + 3) + 5 = 2 + (3 + 5)

Commutative Property of Addition 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 +𝑎 3 + 5 = 5 + 3

Identity Property of Addition 𝑎 + 0 = 𝑎 6 + 0 = 6

Inverse Property of Addition 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0 7 + (−7) = 0

Associative Property of Multiplication 𝑎𝑏(𝑐) = 𝑎(𝑏𝑐) 2𝑥(𝑦) = 2(𝑥𝑦)

Commutative Property of 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏𝑎 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑦𝑥
Multiplication

Identity Property of Multiplication 𝑎(1) = 𝑎 7(1) = 7

Inverse Property of Multiplication 𝑎(1/𝑎) = 1 6(1/6) = 1

Distributive Property a(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐 2(3 + 5) = (2 ∗ 3) + (2 ∗ 5)

 Mathematical
Language and Symbols
Elementary Logic
Intended Learning
Outcomes
• Identify basic mathematical logic operators and
symbols
• Translate symbols to words and vice versa
Elementary Logic
 A proposition is a declarative sentence that is
either true (denoted either 𝑇 or 1) or false
(denoted 𝐹 or 0).

Notation: variables are used to represent propositions.

The most common variables used are 𝒑, 𝒒, and 𝒓.
Identify whether each statement is a proposition or not:

1. “The world is complex.”

2. “Plastics hurt the creatures in the ocean.”
3. “Hello world!”
4. “College is tough.”
5. “Oh no.”
6. “How long was the elevator queue?”
7. “𝑥 − 2 = 5”
8. "𝑥 − 2 = 5 when 𝑥 = 0”
Requests:
Please study your lessons.
Demands/Imperatives:
Do your job!
Submit your homework.
Questions:
Where is the way to the clinic?
Paradoxes:
Less is more.
Unary:
❑ negation: ¬ 𝑝 or ~𝑝, “not 𝑝”

Binary:
❑ conjunction: “𝑝 and 𝑞”, 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞
❑ disjunction: “𝑝 or 𝑞”, 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞
❑ implication: “if 𝑝 then 𝑞”, 𝑝 → 𝑞
❑ biconditional: “𝑝 if and only if 𝑞” , 𝑝 ↔ 𝑞
Negation

“not”
Symbol: ¬ or ~
“Math is interesting.”
• 𝒑:
• Math is interesting.
• ¬𝒑:
• Math is not interesting.
• Math is uninteresting.
• It is not the case that math is interesting.
• Truth table:
𝒑 ¬𝒑
𝑇 𝐹
𝐹 𝑇

• If a proposition is true, its negation will be false.

• If a proposition is false, its negation will be true.
Conjunction

“and”
Symbol: ∧
“Math is interesting and I have a 3.5 calculus
midterm grade.”
• 𝒑: Math is interesting .
• 𝒒: I have a 3.5 calculus midterm grade.
• 𝒑 ∧ 𝒒: Math is interesting and I have a 3.5 calculus midterm grade.
• Truth table:
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
𝑇 𝐹 𝐹
𝐹 𝑇 𝐹
𝐹 𝐹 𝐹

• The conjunction (AND) of two propositions will only be true if both propositions are
true.
Disjunction

“or”
Symbol: ∨
“Math is interesting or I have a 3.5 calculus
midterm grade.”
• 𝒑: Math is interesting.
• 𝒒: I have a 3.5 calculus midterm grade..
• 𝒑 ∨ 𝒒: Math is interesting or I have a 3.5 calculus midterm grade.
• Truth table: 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
𝑇 𝐹 𝑇
𝐹 𝑇 𝑇
𝐹 𝐹 𝐹

• The disjunction of two propositions is true if at least one of them is true.

Implication

“if … then …”
Symbol: →
“If there is a strong typhoon then the classes
are cancelled.”
• 𝒑: There is a strong typhoon .
• 𝒒: The classes are cancelled.
• 𝒑 → 𝒒: If there is a strong typhoon then the classes are cancelled.
• Truth table:
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑→𝒒
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
𝑇 𝐹 𝐹
𝐹 𝑇 𝑇
𝐹 𝐹 𝑇

• An implication is only false if the conclusion is false when the premise is true.
Equivalent forms of 𝑝 → 𝑞:

• 𝑝 implies 𝑞
• If 𝑝, 𝑞
• 𝑞 only if 𝑝
• 𝑝 is a sufficient condition for 𝑞
• 𝑞 if 𝑝
• 𝑞 whenever 𝑝
• 𝑞 is a necessary condition for 𝑝
Equivalent forms of “If there is a strong typhoon, then the classes are
cancelled.”
Structures: Choices:
a. 𝑝 implies 𝑞 a. Having a strong typhoon is a
b. If 𝑝, 𝑞 sufficient condition for classes to
c. 𝑞 only if 𝑝 be cancelled.
d. 𝑝 is a sufficient condition for 𝑞 b. If the classes are cancelled,
e. 𝑞 if 𝑝 there is a strong typhoon.
f. 𝑞 whenever 𝑝 c. Classes cancelled is a necessary
g. 𝑞 is a necessary condition for 𝑝 condition for presence of a
strong typhoon.
d. The classes are cancelled only if
there is a strong typhoon.
Biconditional

“if and only if”

Symbol: ↔
“You can vote in the national elections if and only if you are 18 years
old or above.”

• 𝒑: You can vote in the national elections.

• 𝒒: You are 18 years old or above..
• 𝒑 ↔ 𝒒: You can vote in the national elections if and only if you are 18 years old
or above.
• Truth table:
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑↔𝒒
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
𝑇 𝐹 𝐹
𝐹 𝑇 𝐹
𝐹 𝐹 𝑇
Note:

• The biconditional statement is equivalent to

𝑝→𝑞 ∧ 𝑞→𝑝

• The biconditional statement is only true if the two propositions have

the same truth value.
Negation:
• ¬𝑝 is true when 𝑝 is false
Conjunction:
• 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞 is true when both 𝑝 and 𝑞 are true
Disjunction:
• 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞 is true when either 𝑝 or 𝑞 is true
Implication:
• 𝑝 → 𝑞 is true when a false conclusion does not follow a true premise
Biconditional:
• 𝑝 ↔ 𝑞 is true when both are true or both are false
Write the following statement symbolically:
If I go to the mall or go to the movies, then I will not go the gym.
Set
𝑝 = I go to the mall
𝑞 = I go to the movies
𝑟 = I will go to the gym
Write the following statement symbolically:
If I go to the mall or go to the movies, then I will not go the gym.
Set
𝑝 = I go to the mall
𝑞 = I go to the movies
𝑟 = I will go to the gym

We can write the statement as:

If 𝑝 or 𝑞, then not 𝑟.
or
𝑝∨𝑞 → ¬𝑟
[1]Burns, Carol JVF. (2016, April 4).
The Language of Mathematics.
One Mathematical Cat, Please!.
http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/cat_book.htm.

[2]Burns, Carol JVF. (nd).

The Language and Grammar of Mathematics.
http://assets.press.princeton.edu/chapters/gowers/gowers_I_2.pdf