Mathematical

Language and
Symbols
Intended Learning
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, IT students will be able to:

1. Discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics

2. Explain the fundamental nature of mathematics as a unique
language
3. Perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly
Topics to be Covered
Characteristics of Mathematical Language
1
Precise, concise, and powerful

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

3 Conventions in Mathematical Language

 Math Symbols Activity
Let's explore and guess the names of the
various mathematical symbols shown. Get
ready for an interactive learning
experience!
+
 +
Plus Sign or
Addition Symbol
<
 <
Less than
!
 !
Factorial
∩
 ∩
Intersection
∴
 ∴

Therefore
⊥
 ⊥

Perpendicular
∀
 ∀

For all (Universal Quantifier)

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Precise Concise Powerful

Mathematical language can be Mathematical language can Mathematical language has the
expressed clearly and without communicate complex ideas in a ability to simplify and express
ambiguity. a brief and efficient manner. complex ideas in more
straightforward forms.
 Parts of Speech in Mathematics

Numbers Operations Symbols Relation Symbols Grouping Symbols

Used to gather
Play the role of Act as connectives Used for
and cluster a
nouns (objects), in mathematical comparison and
group of numbers
used to represent sentences. Ex. (+,- act as verbs. Ex.
and operators. ({},
quantity. ,,/....) (=, <, >, ≈....)
[])
Roles of Numbers and Symbols
Numbers as Nouns Operation Symbols as Relation Symbols as Verbs
Connectives
In mathematical language, Relation symbols such as equals,
numbers function as nouns, Operation symbols like plus, less than, greater than,
representing objects or quantities. minus, multiplication, and division approximately equal to, function
For example, in the expression act as connectives, linking as verbs in mathematical
'three plus two', the numbers numbers or expressions to form sentences. They compare
three and two are the 'nouns'. meaningful mathematical quantities or expressions,
statements. completing the statement.
 Vocabulary vs. Sentences
Every language has its vocabulary (the
words), and its rules for combining these
words into complete thoughts (the
sentences). Mathematics is no exception.
As a first step in discussing the
mathematical language, we will make a very
broad classification between the 'nouns' of
mathematics (used to name mathematical
objects of interest) and the 'sentences' of
mathematics (which state complete
mathematical thoughts).
Constructing Mathematical Sentences
Vocabulary
Just like any language, mathematics has its own vocabulary. This includes numbers, symbols,
and operations that represent specific concepts.

Complete Thoughts
Mathematical sentences are combinations of these vocabulary elements that express a
complete thought, such as equations or inequalities.

Terms and Sentences

Consider the expression 'three x plus two'. Here, 'three x' and 'two' are terms that form part of
a larger mathematical sentence. An example of a mathematical sentence would be 'three x plus
two equals five', which states a complete thought that can be evaluated as true or false.
 Importance of Mathematical Language

Major contributor to overall Vital for the development of Enables both the teacher
comprehension Mathematics proficiency and the students to
A strong grasp of mathematical Proficiency in mathematical
communicate mathematical
knowledge with precision
language is crucial for students to language allows both teachers and
fully understand and engage with students to effectively communicate The precise and concise nature of
the subject matter. and build mathematical knowledge. mathematical language facilitates
clear and unambiguous
communication of mathematical
concepts.
Understanding Expressions and Sentences
Expressions are like nouns in a sentence, representing mathematical objects. They can be simple, like 'three x', or more
complex, like 'five pi'.

Sentences in mathematics combine expressions to form complete thoughts. These sentences can be evaluated as true
or false, like 'three plus two equals five'.

Mathematical Sentence
1 A complete thought, combining expressions.

Expression
2
Represents a mathematical object.

For example, 'three x plus two' is an expression, but it doesn't convey a complete thought. However, when we say 'three
x plus two equals five', we form a sentence that states a relationship between expressions, which can be tested or
solved.
Expressions versus Sentences

Expressions English Mathematics

Name given to an object of Noun such as person, place and 2
interest. things and pronouns
3-2
Example:
3x
1. Ernesto
3x + 2
2. Batangas City
ax + by + c
3. Book
4. He
Expressions versus Sentences

Sentence Group of words that express a statement,

question or command.
It has a complete thought
3+2=5
• Ernesto is a boy. a+b=c
ax + by + c = 0
• He lives in Batangas City.
(x + y)² = x² + 2xy + y²
• Allan loves to read book.
• Run!
• Do you love me?
Connectives in Mathematics

Connecting Numbers and Similar to English Constructing Mathematical

Expressions Connectives Sentences
Connectives in mathematics, such In English, words like 'and' serve a Consider the mathematical
as 'plus', 'minus', or 'multiplied by', similar purpose. For example, 'cat sentence 'one plus two equals
link numbers or expressions and dog' is a compound noun, just three'. Here, 'plus' connects the
together to form compound objects as 'one plus two' is a compound numbers one and two to form the
or statements. These connectives number. Connectives in both new number three, while 'equals'
act as bridges, allowing us to languages help us create new compares this sum to three.
combine different mathematical entities by combining existing ones. Connectives are essential for
elements into more complex building and understanding
structures. mathematical relationships.
Connectives
A question commonly encountered, when presenting the sentence example 1 + 2 = 3 is that;

If = is the verb, then what is + ?

The answer is the symbol + is what we called a connective which is used to connect objects of a given type to get a
'compound' object of the same type. Here, the numbers 1 and 2 are connected to give the new number 1 + 2.

In English, this is the connector “and”. Cat is a noun, dog is a noun, cat and dog is a 'compound'
noun.
Components of Mathematical Sentences

Expressions
A mathematical expression like 'four minus five' or 'five plus two' represents a specific quantity or idea. These
expressions are the subjects in mathematical language.

Connectives
Symbols like 'plus' and 'equals' play specific roles in these sentences, connecting expressions and indicating
relationships.

Verbs
In the sentence 'five plus two equals seven', 'five plus two' is the expression, 'plus' is the connective, and 'equals' serves
as the verb, creating a complete mathematical thought.
Symbols in Set Theory
1 Union and Intersection 2 Element of and Subset
In mathematics, symbols like Symbols such as 'element of' and
'union' and 'intersection' represent 'subset' denote relationships
operations on sets. Understanding between elements and sets,
these symbols is crucial for set allowing us to describe and analyze
theory. mathematical structures.

3 Logical Connectives 4 Examples

Logic symbols like 'and' for For instance, 'A union B' represents
conjunction or 'or' for disjunction the union of sets A and B, while 'x
are used to form logical statements is an element of A' means that x is
that are foundational in an element of set A.
mathematical reasoning.
Basic Mathematical Operations

Addition Subtraction
Addition, represented by the 'plus' sign, combines Subtraction, represented by the 'minus' sign, separates
quantities. It represents the act of joining or merging quantities. It represents the act of taking away or
two or more values together. For example, 'three plus removing a value from another. Subtraction is the
two equals five' demonstrates a simple addition inverse operation of addition.
operation.

Multiplication Division
Multiplication, represented by the 'multiplied by' sign, Division, represented by the 'divided by' sign, splits a
indicates repeated addition. It represents the act of quantity into equal parts. It represents the act of dividing
combining a quantity a certain number of times. For a value into a specific number of equal groups. Division is
example, 'four multiplied by three' equals twelve. the inverse operation of multiplication.
Equality and Inequality Symbols

Equals
The 'equals' symbol indicates that two expressions represent the same value, such as in 'five equals five'.

Not Equal
The 'not equal' symbol represents inequality, showing that two expressions are not equal, as in 'three is not equal to
four'.

Greater Than / Less Than

'Greater than' and 'less than' denote that one quantity is greater than or less than another, respectively. For example,
'ten is greater than five' means ten is greater than five.
Sets of Numbers
Natural Numbers Integers (Z) Rational Numbers Example
(N) (Q)
'Z' denotes the set of all For example, the
'No' represents the set integers, including 'Q' represents the set of number 'two thirds' is a
of natural numbers, negative numbers, zero, rational numbers, rational number,
starting from zero and and positive numbers, which can be expressed meaning it belongs to
continuing infinitely, such as ' ellipsis, as fractions like 'one the set Q.
like 'zero, one, two, negative three, negative half' or 'negative three
three, ellipsis'. two, negative one, zero, fourths'.
one, two, three,
ellipsis'.
Conventions in mathematics, some commonly
used symbols, its meaning and an example
Sets and Logic

SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE

∪ Union Union of set A and set B A∪B

∩ Intersection Intersection of set A∩B

A and set B

∈ Element x is an element of A x∈A

∉ Not an element of x is not an element x∉A

of set A

{} A set of.. A set of an element {a, b, c}

⊂ Subset A is a subset of B A⊂B

⊄ Not a subset of A is not a subset of B A⊄B

Conventions in Mathematics: Commonly Used Symbols, Meaning, and Examples

Ellipses There are still other items to a, b, c, ...

... a + b + c + ...
follow
Conjunction A and B
∧ A ∧ B

Disjunction A or B
∨ A ∨ B

Negation Not A
~ ~A

Implies (If-then If A, then B

→ A → B
statement)

If and only if A if and only if B A B

For all For all x

∀ ∀x

There exist There exist an x

∃ ∃

Therefore Therefore C
... ... C
Conventions in mathematics, some commonly used symbols, its
symbols, its meaning and an example
Sets and Logic

| Such that x such that y x|y

■ End of proof

= Congruence / equivalent A is equivalent to B A=B

a is congruent to b a = b mod n
modulo n
 Conventions in mathematics, some commonly
used symbols, its meaning and an example
Basic Operations and Relational Symbols

SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE

+ Addition; Plus sign a plus b 3+2
a added by b
a increased by b

- Subtraction; minus sign a subtracted by b 3-2

a minus b
a diminished by b

• Multiplication sign a multiply by b 4•3

() *we do not use x as a a times b (4)(3)
symbol for multiplication
in our discussion since its
use as a variable*

+ or | Division sign; divides a+b 10 + 5

b|a 5 | 10
Conventions in mathematics, some commonly
used symbols, its meaning and an example
Basic Operations and Relational Symbols
o Composition of function f of g of x fog(x)

= Equal sign a=a 5=5

a+b=b+a 3+2=2+3

≠ Not equal to a≠b 3≠4

> Greater than a>b 10>5

< Less than b 5<10

≥ Greater than or equal to a≥b 10≥5

≤ Less than or equal to b≤a 5≤10

* Binary operation a*b a*b=a+17b

Conventions in mathematics, some commonly
used symbols, its meaning and an example
Set of Numbers

SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE

No natural numbers / No = {0,1,2,3,4,...} 0 ∈ No

whole numbers set
(with zero)
N1 natural numbers / N1 = {1,2,3,4,5,...} 6 ∈ N1
whole numbers set
(without zero)

Z integer numbers set Z = {...-3,-2,- -6 ∈ Z

1,0,1,2,3,...}

Q rational numbers set Q = {x | x=a/b, a,b∈Z 2/6 ∈ Q

and b≠0}

R real numbers set R = {x | -∞ < x < ∞} 6.343434 ∈ R

C complex numbers set C = {z | z=a+bi, -∞ 6+2i ∈ C

Translating Verbal Phrases
Identify Quantities
1
Recognize the numbers and variables involved.

Determine Operations
2
Identify the mathematical actions described.

Express Mathematically
3
Convert words into symbols and equations.

In problem-solving, translating verbal phrases into mathematical expressions and equations is a key skill. Mathematics
allows us to model real-world situations and solve problems by converting words into symbols. To translate, identify the
quantities and operations described, then express them mathematically.

For instance, the phrase 'twice a number plus three' can be translated into the expression 'two times x plus three'.
Exercise:
Let x be a number. Translate each phrase or sentence into a mathematical expression or equation.

1. Sixteen more than a number.

2. Eight minus a number.

3. An unknown quantity less fourteen.

4. Six times a number is fifty-four.

5. Two ninths of a number is eleven.

Applications of Mathematical Symbols
Engineering
Mathematical symbols are used in engineering to model and solve problems. These symbols help
engineers understand and predict the behavior of systems. For example, the symbol 'integral' is used to
calculate the area under a curve, which is essential for designing structures and machines.

Economics
Mathematical symbols are also used in economics to model and analyze economic phenomena. These
symbols help economists understand and predict economic trends. For example, the symbol 'sigma' is
used to represent the sum of a series of numbers, which is essential for calculating economic indicators.

Computer Science
Mathematical symbols are used in computer science to represent data structures and algorithms. These
symbols help programmers understand and implement complex algorithms. For example, the symbol
'element of' might be used in a computer algorithm to check if an item belongs to a particular set.
Conclusion and
Summary
In summary, we have explored the precise, concise, and powerful
nature of mathematical language.

We discussed how numbers, operation symbols, and relation symbols

play specific roles in mathematical sentences. We also looked at
important symbols used in sets, logic, operations, and relationships.

Remember, mastering mathematical language and symbols is essential

for understanding and solving mathematical problems.