MATHEMATICAL
LANGUANGE AND SYMBOL:
AN INTRODUCTION
CHRISTINE LEAL – ESTENDER, LPT
DEFINITION OF LANGUAGE:
Language is a systematic way of
communication with other people
use of sounds or convention
symbols.
IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE
Language was invented to communicate ideas to others.
The language of mathematics was designed:
Numbers
Set
Function
SYMBOLS COMMONLY
USED IN MATHEMATICS
1. The ten digit: 0, 1, 2,……9
2. Operations: +, -, x, ÷
3. Sets: ⊂, ⊃
4. Variables: a, b, c, x and y
5. Special Symbols:=, <, >,
6. Logic Symbols: ^, v ,
7. Set Notations: N, W, Z, Q, R, C
• N={1,2,3……}=the set of natural
numbers
SOME • W={0,1,2, 3……} = the set of the
whole numbers
IMPORTANT • Z={…-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,….} = the sets of
SETS ARE THE integers
• the set of rational number
FOLLOWING: • the set of irrational number
• R = the set of real numbers
• C = the set of complex numbers
THE GRAMMAR OF MATHEMATICS
The mathematical notation use for formulas has its own grammar,
not dependent on a specifi c natural language, but shared
internationally by mathematicians regardless of their mother
tongues.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
MATHEMATICS LANGUAGE
PRECISE CONCISE POWERFUL
The word “is” could mean equality,
inequality , or member in a set.
Different use of number (cardinal, ordinal,
nominal ratio)
DIFFICULTIES
Mathematical objects may be presented in
many ways such as sets and functions.
The words “and” and “or” mean
differently in mathematics from its English
use.
THE END!