MATHEMATICS IN

THE MODERN WORLD

MARIA CRISTINA A. SICAT, PhD
FACULTY, MATH & SCIENCE DEPT.
HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY
 Mathematics in the Modern World

MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS
• The Language of
Mathematics
• Expressions versus
Sentences
• Unary and Binary
Operations
• Math Logic
THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS
▪ WHY IS LANGUAGE IMPORTANT?
1. To understand expressed ideas
2. To communicate ideas

▪ CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATH LANGUAGE

1. Precise
2. Concise
3. Powerful
 THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS
Comparison between the English and Mathematical Language
ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
Symbols English alphabet and English alphabet, numerals,
punctuations Greek letters, grouping
symbols, special symbols
Name Noun Expression
Complete Thought Sentence Sentence
Action Verbs Operations and other actions
(e.g. simplify, rationalize)
What’s in a sentence Subject, predicate Equality, inequality,
membership in a set
Attribute of a sentence Fact or fiction True or false
 THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS
Comparison between the English and Mathematical Language
ENGLISH MATHEMATICS

Name NOUN (person, place, object, EXPRESSION (number, sets,

event) variable, function, matrices)
Examples: Examples:
Alan, Angeles City, textbook 10, 5 + 8, 3/4x, (a, b)

Complete Thought SENTENCE SENTENCE

Examples: Examples:
I love Mathematics. 6 + 9 = 15
Math is an exact science. 8x – 2 > 6
0∈R
EXERCISE 1A
IF POSSIBLE, CLASSIFY THE ENTRIES IN THE LIST BELOW AS:
-AN (ENGLISH) NOUN, OR A (MATHEMATICAL) EXPRESSION
- AN ENGLISH SENTENCE, OR A MATHEMATICAL SENTENCE

a) Cassandra a) Noun
b) John loves mathematics. b) English sentence
c) The name ’Carol’ begins with c) English sentence
the letter ‘C’.
d) 7 d) Expression

e) x+y e) Expression
f) 7=3+4 f) Mathematical sentence
g) y–1=1–y g) Mathematical sentence
h) t–0=t h) Mathematical sentence
i) 0 < -1 i) Mathematical sentence
 EXERCISE 1B
CONSIDER THE ENTRIES IN THE PREVIOUS EXERCISE THAT ARE SENTENCES.
CLASSIFY THESE SENTENCES AS: (ALWAYS) TRUE; (ALWAYS) FALSE; SOMETIMES
TRUE/SOMETIMES FALSE.
a. Cassandra
e. x + y
b. John loves mathematics.
f. 7 = 3 + 4
Sometimes True/False
Always True
c. The name ’Carol’ begins with
the letter ‘C’. g. y – 1 = 1 – y

Always True Sometimes True/False

d. 7 h. t – 0 = t
Always True
i. 0 < -1
Always False
EXERCISE 2
A. TRANSLATE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PHRASES INTO A MATHEMATICAL
EXPRESSION/SENTENCES. USE AS FEW VARIABLES AS POSSIBLE:
1. The sum of a number and ten 6. Five less than a number
x + 10 x–5
2. The product of two numbers 7. Eight less a number
xy 8–x
3. The product of negative one and a
number 8. Six more than a number
(-1)(x) x+6
4. One-half times the sum of two numbers 9. A number plus nine
½ (x + y) x+9
5. Twice a number 10. The square of a number
2x x2
 EXERCISE 2 (CONT.)
A. TRANSLATE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PHRASES INTO A MATHEMATICAL
EXPRESSION/SENTENCES. USE AS FEW VARIABLES AS POSSIBLE:
11. Four times the square of a number 16.The sum of the squares of two numbers

12. One-half of a number 17. There are twice as many boys as there are
girls.

13. Three less than twice a number

18. There are ten more cars than jeeps.

14. Five more than three times a number

19. A man’s age five years ago

15. The square of the sum of five and a number

20. The area of a rectangle whose length is 7
more than the width
 EXERCISE 2 (CONT.)
A. TRANSLATE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PHRASES INTO A MATHEMATICAL
EXPRESSION/SENTENCES. USE AS FEW VARIABLES AS POSSIBLE:
11. Four times the square of a number 16.The sum of the squares of two numbers
m2 + n2
4m2
17. There are twice as many boys as there are girls.
12. One-half of a number
Let g = no. of girls, then b = 2g = no. of boys
½(n) Or, b = no. of boys, then g = b/2 = no of girls
13. Three less than twice a number 18. There are ten more cars than jeeps.

2p – 3 Let j = no. of jeeps, then c = j + 10 = no. of cars

19. A man’s age five years ago
14. Five more than three times a number
Let m = man’s present age, then
3n + 5
m – 5 = man’s age five year’s ago
15. The square of the sum of five and a number 20. The area of a rectangle whose length is 7 more than
the width
(5 + m)2
Let w = width, then l = w + 7 = length
A = area = lw = (w+7)w = w2 + 7w
OBJECTS THAT WE USE IN MATH
▪ Numbers/Constants (Operations and Properties)
▪ Variables (Free or Bound)
▪ Operators (Unary and Binary)
a. Unary operator requires one operand
ex. Factorial (!), trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan),
nth root (square root, cube root), reciprocal (1/x),

b. Binary operator requires two operands

ex. Addition, Multiplication
(+) (x)
 Complex Number (C) System
Real Numbers (R)
Imaginary (I)
Rational (Q)
i, 2i, -3-7i, etc.
(fractions, terminating decimals,
repeating decimals)
Integers (Z)
(…, -1, -2, 0, 1, 2, …) Irrational (Q’)
(non-terminating
Whole (W) & non-repeating
(0, 1, 2, …) decimals)
pi, phi, e
Natural (N)
(1, 2, …)
 SETS OF NUMBERS

Real Numbers, R

Irrational, Q’ Rational, Q
Non-terminating &
non-repeating
Decimals
Terminating/
Repeating Integers, Z
Decimals

Negative Whole
Integers, Z- numbers, W

Natural
Zero, 0
numbers, N
PROPERTIES OF REAL NUMBERS
Closure
Commutative
Associative
Distributive
Identity + ×
Inverse + ×
CLOSURE PROPERTY
Definition:
Given real numbers a and b (a, b ∈ R), then
i. a + b is a real number (a + b ∈ R). Therefore, the
set of reals is CLOSED with respect to addition.
ii. ab is a real number (ab ∈ R). Therefore, the set of
reals is CLOSED with respect to multiplication.
 PROPERTIES OF REAL NOS.
Examples:
1.) 12, 3 ∈ R, then 12 + 3 ∈ R
Therefore, the set of reals is CLOSED with
respect to addition.
2.) 5, 4 ∈ R, then 5 x 4 ∈ R
Therefore, the set of reals is CLOSED with
respect to multiplication.
COMMUTATIVE PROPERTY
Changing the order of the numbers in addition or
multiplication will not change the result.
Commutative Property of Addition states:
a+b=b+a
▪ Ex. 2 + 3 = 3 + 2
Commutative Property of Multiplication states:
ab = ba
▪ Ex. 4 • 5 = 5 • 4
ASSOCIATIVE PROPERTY
Changing the grouping of the
numbers in addition or multiplication
will not change the result.
Associative Property of Addition
states: a + (b + c)= (a + b)+ c
▪ Ex. 3 + (4 + 5)= (3 + 4)+ 5
Associative Property of Multiplication
states: (ab)c = a(bc)
▪ Ex. (2 • 3) • 4 = 2 • (3 • 4)
DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY
Multiplication distributes over
addition.

a(b + c ) = ab + ac

3 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 15𝑦
ADDITIVE IDENTITY PROPERTY
There exists a unique number 0 such that zero
preserves identities under addition.
a + 0 = a and 0 + a = a
In other words adding zero to a number does
not change its value.
MULTIPLICATIVE IDENTITY PROPERTY
▪There exists a unique number 1 such that the
number 1 preserves identities under
multiplication.
a ∙ 1 = a and 1 ∙ a = a
▪In other words multiplying a number by 1
does not change the value of the number.
ADDITIVE INVERSE PROPERTY
For each real number a there exists a
unique real number –a such that their
sum is zero.
a + (-a) = 0
In other words opposites add to zero.
MULTIPLICATIVE INVERSE PROPERTY
For each real number, a, there exists a unique real
1
number such that their product is 1. Thus,
a
1
a =1
a
Note: a ≠ 0
Let’s play “Name that property!”
EXERCISE: STATE THE PROPERTY THAT JUSTIFY THE
FOLLOWING:

5+2=2+5
Commutative Property
of Addition
STATE THE PROPERTY OR PROPERTIES THAT JUSTIFY THE
FOLLOWING.

10(1/10) = 1
Multiplicative Inverse Property
STATE THE PROPERTY OR PROPERTIES THAT JUSTIFY THE
FOLLOWING.

3(x – 10) = 3x – 30
Distributive Property
STATE THE PROPERTY OR PROPERTIES THAT JUSTIFY THE
FOLLOWING.

3 + (4 + 5) = (3 + 4) + 5
Associative Property
of Addition
STATE THE PROPERTY OR PROPERTIES THAT JUSTIFY THE
FOLLOWING.

(5 x 2) x 9 = (2 x 5) x 9
Commutative Property
of Multiplication
 hich Pr oper ty?
W
1
5 /7 +0= 1
5 /7
Identity Property of
Addition
EXERCISE

A. DESCRIBE THE ERROR IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. 5 ⊂ N
2. x > 2 or x < 1 is equivalent to 2 < x < 1
3. ℝ \ 2
4. Given the function x + 10, find the
value of f(4).
5. ‫ 𝑥 𝑒 ׬‬+ 𝑥
 EXERCISE
A. DESCRIBE THE ERROR IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. 5 ⊂ N
Error: 5 is not a set. It should be { 5 } ⊂ N , or 5 ∈ N
2. x > 2 or x < 1 is equivalent to 2 < x < 1
Error: They are not equivalent. This is an absurd inequality.
3. ℝ \ 2
Error: 2 is not a set. It should be ℝ \ { 2 }
4. Given the function x + 10, find the value of f(4).
Correction: Given should be f(x) = x + 10
5. ‫ 𝑥 𝑒 ׬‬+ 𝑥
Correction: ‫ 𝑥 𝑒 ׬‬+ 𝑥 dx or ‫ 𝑥 𝑒 ׬‬+ 𝑥 dy
ACTIVITY:
TRANSLATE EACH SENTENCE USING MATHEMATICAL
SYMBOLS.

1. ½ is a rational number.
2. x is a multiple of 7.
3. x belongs to both sets A and B.
4. The values of n range from -3 to 8
5. The square of y is not more than 20.
6. The square of a number x is non-
negative.
SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF LOGIC
Logic – allows us to determine the validity of
arguments in and out of mathematics
– illustrates the importance of precision and
conciseness of the language of math
Proposition – is a declarative sentence that is true
or false but not both
EXAMPLES
DETERMINE WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A PROPOSITION. IF
IT IS, TELL WHETHER IT’S TRUE OR FALSE.
1.) A triangle has four vertices.
▪ Answer (1): Proposition (False)
2.) Let x be a real number.
▪ Answer (2): Not a proposition
3.) Sketch the graph of f(x) = -2.
▪ Answer (3): Not a proposition
4. ) Zero is a whole number.
▪ Answer (4): Proposition (True)
 SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF LOGIC
Logical Connectives
- are words or symbols that join two propositions to produce a
new one.
Conjunction: P ∧ Q, (P and Q)
Disjunction: P ∨ Q, (P or Q)
Implication: P ⟹ Q,
(P implies Q, If P then Q, Q if P, P only if Q)
Biconditional (Bi implication): P ⟺ Q
(P if and only if Q)
Note: P ⟺ Q ≡ (P ⟹ Q) ∧ (Q ⟹ P)
SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF LOGIC
Negation
Symbol: ¬ or ~ (means “not’)
~P is true if and only if P is not true

Example:
What is the negation of the statement
“ 2 is a rational number”?
Answer: 2 is not a rational number.
Answer: It is not true that 2 is a rational number.
EXAMPLES
A. SYMBOLIZE THE STATEMENT USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO
ABBREVIATE THE SIMPLE STATEMENTS OR PROPOSITIONS (STATED
POSITIVELY):

1. If Dustin had not lied to Bianca or AZ had

stayed with Larkin, then all would have been
well.
2. A man should look for what is, and not for
what he thinks should be. (Albert Einstein)
3. If a = b, then b = a. (Symmetric Property)
EXAMPLES
A. SYMBOLIZE THE STATEMENT USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO
ABBREVIATE THE SIMPLE STATEMENTS OR PROPOSITIONS (STATED
POSITIVELY):

1. If Dustin had not lied to Bianca or AZ had

stayed with Larkin, then all would have been
well.
Let D: Dustin had lied to Bianca
Z: AZ had stayed with Larkin
A: All would have been well.
Answer: (¬D ∨ Z) ⇒ A
EXAMPLES
A. SYMBOLIZE THE STATEMENT USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO
ABBREVIATE THE SIMPLE STATEMENTS OR PROPOSITIONS (STATED
POSITIVELY):

2. A man should look for what is, and not for what
he thinks should be. (Albert Einstein)
Let P: A man should look for what is.
Q: A man should look for what he thinks
should be.
Answer: P ∧ ¬Q
EXAMPLES
A. SYMBOLIZE THE STATEMENT USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO
ABBREVIATE THE SIMPLE STATEMENTS OR PROPOSITIONS (STATED
POSITIVELY):

3. If a = b, then b = a (Symmetric Property)

P: a=b
Q: b=a
Answer: P⇒Q
MORE ON CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS
IMPLICATION: If P then Q
P is the premise, antecedent or hypothesis.
Q is the consequent or conclusion.

CONVERSE: If Q then P

INVERSE: If not P, then not Q

CONTRAPOSITIVE: If not Q then not P

Exercises
Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the
following implications and indicate if each resulting
statement is true or false. If false, give a counterexample.
:
1. If you have a professional driver’s license,
then you are 18 years old or above.

2. x is prime only if it is odd.

Exercises: Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the following
implications and indicate if each resulting statement is true or false. If
false, give a counterexample.
1. If you have a professional driver’s license, then you are 18 years old or above.
(TRUE)
Converse: If you are 18 years old or above, then you have a professional driver’s
license.
False (Application for a driver’s license is not compulsory for 18-year olds or above,
specifically for those who are not driving.)
Inverse: If you don’t have a professional driver’s license, then you are not 18 years old
or above.
False (Non-drivers may not have driver’s license, but are 18 years old or above)
Contrapositive: If you are not 18 years old or above, then you don’t have a
professional driver’s license.
True
Exercises: Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the following
implications and indicate if each resulting statement is true or false. If
false, give a counterexample.
2. x is prime only if it is odd.
Implication (P ⟹ Q): If x is prime, then it is odd.
(FALSE, ex: 2 is prime, but it is even)
Converse: If x is odd, then it is prime.
False (ex. 9 is odd, but it is composite.)
Inverse: If x is not prime, then it is not odd.
False (ex. 25 is not prime, but it is an odd number.)
Contrapositive: If x is not odd, then it is not prime.
False (ex. 2 is not odd, but it is prime.)
▪ Another Example
Given: x is prime if it is odd.
Implication (If-then form): If x is odd, then it is prime.
Converse: If x is prime, then it is odd.
Inverse: If x is not odd, then it is not prime.
Contrapositive: If x is not prime, then it is not odd.
END OF DISCUSSION