MATH 101 MODULE
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
CHAPTER 1
THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS
THIS MODULE COVERS CONCEPTS SUCH AS:
1. expressions vs sentences
2. equal and equivalent
3. relations and functions
4. binary operations
Learning Objectives
1.Discuss the language, symbols and conventions of mathematics;
2.Explain the nature of mathematics as a language;
3.Perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly; and
4.Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful language.
INTRODUCTION
What is Mathematics?
When we hear the word “mathematics” we know it is about numbers. Numbers
are the heart of mathematics. Numbers that we are now using started simply as
counting without particular symbols. The concept of numbers started with the simple
counting method using scratches on pieces of wood or using objects as counters. It was
later symbolized using the numbers 1, 2, 3, and etc. That we use today.
Mathematics is used by common people and professionals in all fields of
specialization. The nurses use numbers when administering dosage of medicine to
patients. The engineers use numbers to ensure the strength of materials in value of
money. The teachers have student grades to compute. The farmers determine the
amount of fertilizer required for their farms. The vendors and sellers count payments
and changes to customers. The chef need to determine the amount of ingredients to
purchase to prepare for a banquet. The drivers need the mathematics to provide
change to fares. The carpenters need concepts of measurements in order to build a
house.
A lot of things that we do, experience and see in nature has a form mathematics
in it. Much to the dislike of most students, it should be understood that there are lots of
things to appreciate about mathematics.
Lesson 1
Expressions vs Sentences
A paragraph contains simple sentences that convey ideas. The ideas are
understood when the sentences are written in a particular language that we know which
is usually English. In Mathematics, ideas are likewise given, however some difficulties
arise when it is presented in a language that not everyone could comprehend. This is
what we call language of mathematics.
Now, let us compare Mathematics and English. In English, nouns are used name
things or everything of interest like people or places. A sentence expresses a complete
thought. A simple sentence contains at least one noun and at least one verb.
For example:
1.Sheena visits Ayessah.
Sheena is the noun and visits is the verb.
2.The birds are flying in the sky.
Birds is the noun and flying is the verb.
In mathematics, the equivalent of the noun is an expression and the complete
thought is also called a sentence.
For example:
2 + 3=5 5x = 10
The expressions are 2 + 3 and 5x. The verb is the equal sign ( = ). Reading
the example in a sentence “ two plus three equals five” and “ five x equals ten. “
Expressions can look different but are the same. In English, they are reffered to
as synonyms.
For example:
beautiful and pretty
huge and big
In mathematical expressions, the following represent synonyms.
3 2+1 6÷2 5–2
Languages have conventions. In English, we distinguish common noun from
proper noun by using capital first letter to present a proper noun and small letters for a
common noun.
For example:
My birthplace is Manila.
A mathematical sentence states a fact or a complete idea.
Sentence can be true or false. A sentence that can be judge as either true or
false is called a statement or a closed sentence. A statement contains no variables.
In mathematical sentence:
3x - 6 = 0, it will be true if x=2
These two mathematical sentences have the same truth values.
However if x = 3, substitution will yield 3(3) – 6 ≠ 0, and which renders the
mathematical sentence as false.
EXERCISE 1.1
1.In the second column of the given table, classify the items as a/an: English noun,
mathematical expression, English sentence, or mathematical sentence.
2.For each sentence, circle the verb.
3.For each sentence, determine if it is true or false. Write the answer in the third
column.
CLASSIFICATION TRUE OR FALSE
1. music
2. 8
3. 6+2
4. I love music.
5. 3x
6. r x t
7. D = r x t
8. 45 ÷ 5
9. y + 2 = 8
10. loud music
11. x – 4 = 2
12. m ÷ v
13. 5 + x = x + 5
14. 10= 3+3
15. Yellow is a shape.
