Scribd
Upload
15 views

Mathematical Language and Symbols

Uploaded by

Maybe Ann Elardo Espinosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views

Mathematical Language and Symbols

Uploaded by

Maybe Ann Elardo Espinosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Mathematical Language and Symbols


➢ A simple thought is difficult to comprehend if presented in a
language that you do not understand.
➢ Similarly, 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.
➢ Mathematics is also a special kind of language. In fact, it is a
universal language shared by all human beings regardless of
race, gender, or culture.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Characteristic of Mathematical Language


Mathematical language is
➢ precise (able to make very fine distinctions);
➢ concise (able to say things briefly); and
➢ powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative
ease).
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Some Examples of Commonly Used Symbols

➢ The ten digits Hindu-Arabic numerals: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,


9
➢ Symbols for operations: +, - , x, ÷
➢ Symbols that represent values: x, y, z, w, etc.
➢ Other special symbols: =, <, ≤, >, ≥, %, 𝜋, 𝜀, etc.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Like other languages, mathematics has its vocabulary


(the words), and its rules for combining these words into
complete thoughts (the sentences). It also has the notion
of nouns, sentences and verbs. In English, nouns are used
to name things we want to talk about (like people, places,
and things); whereas sentences are used to state
complete thoughts.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Definition (Mathematical Expression)


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.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Examples of Types of Expressions in Mathematics


(commonly referred to as mathematical objects):
1. numbers
2. sets
3. functions
4. ordered pair, ordered triple,…
5. matrices
6. vectors
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Definition (Mathematical Sentence)


A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an
English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols that expresses 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?
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Example

“3 + 4” is an expression while “3 + 4 = 7” is a sentence.

The mathematical sentence “3 + 4 = 7” expresses a


complete thought. In addition, it makes sense to ask:
‘Is 3 + 4 = 7’ true? On the other hand, ‘3 + 4’ does not
state a complete thought. It also doesn’t make sense to
ask: Is 3 + 4’ true? Is ‘3 + 4’ false?
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Just as English sentences have verbs, so do


mathematical sentences. In the mathematical sentence
“3 + 4 = 7”, the verb is “=”. If you read the sentence as
“three plus four is equal to seven,” then it’s easy to “hear”
the verb. Indeed, the equal sign ’=’ is one of the most
popular mathematical verbs. Now, if ’=’ is the verb, then
what is the ’+’? The symbol ’+’ is the connective. A
connective is used to connect objects of a given type to
get a compound object of the same type.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

English vs. Mathematical Language


MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Other Elements of Mathematical Language


a) “Synonyms” 􀀀 different names for the same object.
b) The importance of truth. Sentences can be true or
false. The notion of truth (i.e., the property of being
true or false) is of fundamental importance in the
mathematical language.
c) Conventions. The correspondence between the
mathematical symbols are conventions rather than
rule.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Other Elements of Mathematical Language


d) Definitions and undefined terms. In order to communicate
effectively, people must agree on the meanings of certain
words and phrases. The primary way that ambiguity is
avoided is by the use of definitions.
e) Simplicity and elegance
✓ ’Simple’ means 􀀀 fewer symbols, fewer operations,
better suited to current use, and preferred style/format.
✓ The notion of elegance is often applied to
mathematical proofs.
MATHEMATICAL LANGUANGE AND SYMBOLS

Some Difficulties in the Mathematical Language


a) The word “and” means differently in mathematics
from its English use. In mathematics, “and” is
equivalent to “plus”.
b) The different uses of a number: to express quantity
(cardinal), to indicate the order (ordinal), and as a
label (nominal)
c) Mathematical objects may be represented in many
ways. For example, sets and functions.

You might also like