is a function that takes pairs of elements of 𝐴 and produces elements of 𝐴

from them. It is a function with the set of all pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) of elements of 𝐴 as its
domain and with 𝐴 as its range. The symbol for the operation comes between
𝑥 and 𝑦 rather than before them: we write 𝑥 + 𝑦 rather than +(𝑥, 𝑦).
Now that we have discussed some conventions in mathematics, it is
essential to also acquire the skill of translating phrases and sentences to
mathematical notations.

2.3.1 Translating Expressions and Sentences

The use of symbols in mathematics is essential in stating complex

thoughts and ideas with simplicity. In this way, some of the mathematical
problems are easily analyzed and solved. This makes translation to
mathematical symbols and notations a required skill in understanding and
studying mathematics.
In translating phrases and sentences to mathematical symbols, we follow
the given steps below:

Step 1: Identify the variable/s and constant/s

Step 2: Determine the connectors.
Step 3: Perform the translation of the phrase or sentence into symbols.

An example is the sentence “Seven and a number is fifteen.”

Seven And a number is fifteen

7 + 𝑥 = 15

We must be familiar with the keywords to proceed with translation. The

table below shows some key words and phrases that are used to describe
common mathematical operations. To write mathematical expressions and
sentences, we assign a variable to represent the unknown number. Common
representation of the unknown number is the letter 𝑥. However, other letters
and characters may also be used.

Page 19 of 31
Operation or Keyword/Phrase Example Translation
Connector
Plus A number plus seven 𝑥+7

More than Five more than a number 𝑥+5

Addition The sum of The sum of a number and six 𝑥+6

(+) The total of The total of ten and a number 10 + 𝑥

Increased by A number increased by two 𝑥+2

Added to Eleven added to a number 𝑥 + 11

Minus A number minus eight 𝑥−8

Less than Four less than a number 𝑥−4

Subtraction The difference of The difference of a number and ten 𝑥 − 10

(−) Less Nine less a number 9−𝑥

Decreased by A number decreased by eight 𝑥−8

Subtracted from Six subtracted from a number 𝑥−6

Times Five times a number 5𝑥

The product of The product of five and a number 5𝑥

Multiplication
Twice; double Twice a number; double a number 2𝑥
(×)
Multiplied by A number multiplied by negative two −2𝑥
3
Of Three-fifths of a number 𝑥
5
𝑥
The quotient of The quotient of a number and nine
9
Division
20
Divided by Twenty divided by a number
(÷,/) 𝑥
𝑥
The ratio of The ratio of a number and twelve
12
The square;
Powers The square of a number; a number squared 𝑥2
squared

(𝑥𝑛) The cube of;

The cube of a number; a number cubed 𝑥3
cubed

Equals Ten less than a number equals one. 𝑥 − 10 = 1

Is Three times a number is negative five. 3𝑥 = −5

Equals
Is the same as Eighteen is the same as twice the number. 18 = 2𝑥
(=)
Yields Twelve added to a number yields eleven. 𝑥 + 12 = 11
Nine less than a number amounts to
Amounts to 𝑥 − 9 = 25
twenty-five.

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 In translation problems, the words sum, total, difference, product and
quotient imply at least two parts – use parentheses when a sum or difference
is multiplied. For example, the phrase "the sum of three times a number and
five" translates to "3𝑥 + 5," while the phrase "three times the sum of a number
and five" translates to "3(𝑥 + 5)."
Other common issues in converting English phrases and sentences to
mathematical expressions and sentences are summarized in the following
table.

Issues Incorrect Process Correct Process

Using the wrong key word for the One half of twenty
problem 1 1
20 ÷ ∗ 20 or 20
2 2 2

Incorrect word order with subtraction Five less than two

times a number
2𝑥 – 5
5 – 2𝑥

Not validating by translating from Twice the sum of three

symbols back to words. and a number
2(3 + 𝑥)
2×3+𝑥

Use of punctuation Three times a number, 3𝑥 + 4

plus four.

3(𝑥 + 4)

Redundancy 2𝑥 = 12 Twice a number is

Twice the product of twelve.
two and x is twelve.

Page 21 of 31
 Here are more examples of translations to mathematical symbols.

Example Translation
1
One-half is a rational number. ϵℚ
2

• 𝑥 ϵ {7𝑛 ∶ 𝑛 ϵ ℕ}
• 𝑥 ϵ {7𝑛 ∶ 𝑛 ϵ ℤ}
The number 𝑥 is a multiple of seven.
• 𝑥 = 7𝑛 for some 𝑛 ϵ ℤ
• 𝑥 = 7𝑛, 𝑛 ϵ ℤ
• 𝑥 ϵ 𝐴 and 𝑥 ϵ 𝐵
The element 𝑥 belongs to both sets 𝐴 and 𝐵. • 𝑥𝜖𝐴∩𝐵

The values of the integer 𝑛 range from • {−3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}

negative three to eight. • {𝑛 ϵ ℤ∶ −3 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 8}

The values of the real number 𝑛 range from • {𝑛 ϵ ℝ ∶ −3 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 8}

negative three to eight. • [−3,8]
The square of a number is not more than
𝑦2 ≤ 20
twenty.
The square of a number in non-negative. 𝑥2 ≥ 0
𝑥 + 8 = 2𝑦
Tina’s age in eight years is twice Gino’s age. where
𝑥 is Tina’s present age and
𝑦 is Gino’s present age

Learning Activity 10

Directions. Translate the following sentences to mathematical symbols.

Start Here:

1. The sum of two numbers is seven.

2. Three less than a number is twelve.
3. Four more than a number is fifteen.
4. Five less than twice a number is ten.
5. Five-eighths of a number is twenty.
6. The values of the real number 𝑥 ranges from
negative four to seventeen.
7. Two is a real number.
8. The sum of the squares of two numbers.
9. The square of the sum of two numbers.
10. The cube of thrice a number added to five
yields thirty.

Page 22 of 31
2.3.2 Some Elementary Logic

Essential to the study of mathematics is logic. Aristotle is generally

regarded as the Father of Logic.
Logic started in the late 19th century with the development of axiomatic
frameworks for analysis, geometry and arithmetic. It allows us to determine
the validity of arguments in and out of mathematics. Through logic, the
preciseness and conciseness of mathematics can be illustrated.
2.3.7.1 Statement or Proposition
A statement (or proposition) in logic is a declarative sentence which is
either true or false, but not both. The truth value of the statements is the
truth and falsity of the statement.
Here are some examples to distinguish statements from other
sentences.
Sentence Remarks
1. Manila is the capital of the
The sentence is a true statement.
Philippines.
This is not a statement since it is not
2. What day is it?
declarative.
This sentence is not a statement since it
3. Help me, please.
cannot be categorized as true or false.
This sentence is not a statement since it is
4. He is handsome.
neither true nor false.
This is not a statement since it is not
5. Wait!
declarative.
6. All multiples of seven are odd This is a statement. However, this
numbers. statement is false.
This is not a statement since it is not
7. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2. declarative.
8. The set of natural numbers is a
This is a true statement.
subset of itself.

Statements are of two types: simple and compound. A simple statement

is a statement that conveys a single idea. A compound statement is a
statement composed of two or more simple statements connected by some
words and phrases such as and, or, if … then, and if and only if creates a
compound statement.
For instance, the statement “I will attend the meeting or I will go to
school.” is a compound statement. It is composed of two simple statements,
“I will attend the meeting.” I will go to school.” The word or connects the two
simple statements. In logic, the word “or” is a logical connective.

Page 23 of 31
 Learning Activity 11

Directions. Identify whether or not each of the given sentences is a

statement: statement (S), not a statement (NS)

Start Here:

1. Write the symbol for addition.

2. Two is an even number.
3. Where is the triangle in the set?
4. Five less than twice a number is ten.
5. This is how you solve 3𝑥 = 5.

2.3.7.2 Logical Connectives and Symbols

In logic, variables are used to represent statements. A formal
propositional statement is written using propositional logic notations p, q, and
r which are used to represent simple statements and the symbols , , ~, →
and ↔ to represent logical connectives.
The following table summarizes the different symbols logical connectives and
how they are applied to statements.

Type of Symbolic
Statement Connective Truth value
statement form
True if 𝑝 and 𝑞 are
Conjunction 𝑝 and 𝑞 And 𝑝𝑞
both true
True if either 𝑝 or 𝑞 is
Disjunction 𝑝 or 𝑞 Or 𝑝𝑞
true
True except when 𝑝 is
Conditional If 𝑝, then 𝑞 if … then 𝑝→𝑞
true and 𝑞 is false.
True if 𝑝 and 𝑞 are
Biconditional 𝑝 if and only if 𝑞 if and only if 𝑝↔𝑞 both true of if 𝑝 and 𝑞
are both false

2.3.7.3 Negation

The negation of the statement is its opposite. For example, the negation
of the statement “Five is a rational number” is the statement “Five is not a
rational number.” The tilde symbol (~) is used to denote the negation of a
statement. If the statement 𝑝 is true, its negation ~𝑝 is false, and if the
statement 𝑝 is false, its negation ~𝑝 is true. Meaning, the truth value of the
negation of a statement is always the reverse of the truth value of the original
statements.

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 A popular theorem facilitates negation of compound statements of the
forms 𝑝  𝑞 and 𝑝  𝑞. It is called De Morgan’s Laws which are stated as
follows:

1. ~(𝑝  𝑞) is equivalent to ~𝑝  ~𝑞
2. ~(𝑝  𝑞) is equivalent to ~𝑝  ~𝑞

To get the negation of the statement “A number 𝑥 is greater than or equal

to a number 𝑦.”, we let

𝑝 ∶ A number 𝑥 is greater than a number 𝑦.

𝑞: A number 𝑥 is equals to a number 𝑦.

The statement in symbols is given by 𝑝  𝑞 with negation ~(𝑝  𝑞). By De

Morgan’s law, ~(𝑝  𝑞) is equivalent to ~𝑝  ~𝑞. We have

~𝑝: A number 𝑥 is not greater than a number 𝑦.

~𝑞: A number 𝑥 is not equal to a number 𝑦.
~𝑝  ~𝑞: A number 𝑥 is not greater than a number 𝑦 and
not equal to 𝑦.
~𝑝  ~𝑞: A number 𝑥 is less than a number 𝑦.

The statement ~𝑝: A number 𝑥 is not greater than a number 𝑦 means that
either 𝑥 is less than 𝑦 or 𝑥 equals. However, ~𝑞: A number 𝑥 is not equal to a
number 𝑦 tells us that 𝑥 cannot be equal to 𝑦. Thus, the negation is “ a
number 𝑥 is less than 𝑦.

2.3.7.4 Truth value and truth tables

The truth value of a simple statement is either true (T) or false (F) but not
both. For compound statements, the truth value depends on the truth values
of its simple statements and connectives.

The truth table is a table that shows the truth value of a compound
statement for all possible truth values of its simple statements. The following
table gives the truth values of compound statements with two simple
statements 𝑝 and 𝑞.

𝑝 𝑞 p𝑞 𝑝𝑞 𝑝→𝑞 𝑝↔𝑞

T T T T T T
T F F T F F
F T F T T F
F F F F T T

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2.3.7.5 Writing Compound Statements in symbols

To write a compound statement in symbols, we need to identify its simple

statements and represent them using the symbols 𝑝, 𝑞, and 𝑟.

Consider the compound statement “Two and three are rational zeroes of
the function 𝑓.” Here, the word “and” suggests that the compound statement
may be paraphrased as “Two is a rational zero of 𝑓 and three is a rational zero
of 𝑓.” Thus, we may represent the simple statements as

𝑝: Two is a rational zero of 𝑓.

𝑞: Three is a rational zero of 𝑓.

For the connector “and”, we use the symbol . Thus, the statement in
symbol is given by 𝑝  𝑞.

The compound statement “If an integer is odd, then it is not divisible by

2.” Has simple statements

𝑝 : An integer is odd.
𝑞 : An integer is not divisible by 2.

Since the compound statement is a conditional statement, we use the

logical connective →. Hence, the statement in symbol is given by 𝑝 → 𝑞.

Learning Activity 12

Directions. Identify the simple statements in each of the following

compound statements. Then write the compound statement in symbols.

Example:
𝑛
If 𝑛2 is an integer, then 𝑛 is an 𝑝: 2 is an integer. 𝑝→𝑞
even integer. 𝑞: 𝑛 is an even integer
Start Here:

1. The numbers 2 and −3 are 𝑝:

rational zeros of the function 𝑓. 𝑞:

2. If 𝑥 is even, then it is a multiple 𝑝:

of 2. 𝑞:

3. Either 𝑓 is an odd or 𝑝:
even function. 𝑞:

Page 26 of 31
 2.3.3 Quantifiers

A predicate (or open statement) is a statement whose truth depends on

the value of one or more variables. Predicates become propositions once every
variable is bound by assigning a universal set.

An example is the sentence “𝑥 is an even number”. It is a predicate whose

truth depends on the value of 𝑥. Using the notation 𝑃(𝑥) to represent the “𝑥
is an even number.”, we know that 𝑃(2) is true, and 𝑃(3) is false. Here, 𝑃(𝑥)
is called a propositional function which becomes a statement only when
variable 𝑥 is given particular value. Propositional functions are usually
denoted as 𝑃(𝑥), 𝑄(𝑥), and 𝑅(𝑥).

In a statement, the word some and the phrases there exists and at least
one are called existential quantifiers. Existential quantifiers are used as
prefixes to assert the existence of something. In a statement, the words none,
no, all, and every are called universal quantifiers. The universal quantifiers
none and no deny the existence of something, whereas the universal
quantifiers all and every are used to assert that every element of a given set
satisfies some condition. The following table shows the symbols for universal
and existential quantifiers and their translations.

Quantifier Symbol Translation

Existential ∃ There exists
There is some
For some
For which
For at least one
Such that
Satisfying
Universal ∀ For all
For each
For every
For any
Given any

The statement “there exists an 𝑥 such that 𝑃(𝑥),” is symbolized by

∃𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥). The symbol ∃ is used to denote the existential quantifier. The
statement “∃𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥)”is true if there is at least one value of 𝑥 for which 𝑃(𝑥) is
true.

The statement “for all 𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥),” is symbolized by ∀𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥). The symbol 
is used to denote the universal quantifier. The statement “∀𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥)”is true if
only if 𝑃(𝑥) is true for every value of 𝑥.

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 The truth values for quantified statements are given in the following
table.

Statement Is True when Is False when

There is at least one 𝑥 for
∃𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥) is false for every 𝑥.
which 𝑃(𝑥) is true.

∀𝑥, 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥) is true for every 𝑥. There is at least one 𝑥 for which
𝑃(𝑥) is false.

The following English statements are paired with their translations into
symbolic form. Their truth values are also included. It must be clear that 𝐸(𝑛)
represents the set of even integers and 𝑂(𝑛) the set of odd integers.
Statement Translation Truth Value
Every integer that is not odd is • ∀𝑛 ∈ ℤ, ∼ (n is odd ) → True
even. (n is even)
• ∀𝑛 ∈ ℤ, ∼ 𝑂(𝑛) → 𝐸(𝑛)
There is an integer that is not • ∃𝑛 ∈ ℤ, ∼ 𝐸(𝑛) True
even.
For every real number 𝑥, there • ∀𝑥 ∈ ℝ, ∃𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦3 = 𝑥 True
is a real number 𝑦 for which
𝑦 3 = 𝑥.
Given any two rational • ∀𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℚ, 𝑎𝑏 ∈ ℚ True
numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏, it follows
that 𝑎𝑏 is rational.
Every integer is even. • ∀𝑛 ∈ ℤ, 𝐸(𝑛) False
There is an integer 𝑛 for which • ∃𝑛 ∈ ℤ, 𝑛2 = 2 False
𝑛2 = 2.
For every real number 𝑥, there • ∀𝑥 ∈ ℝ, ∃𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦2 = 𝑥 False
is a real number 𝑦 for which
𝑦2 = 𝑥.
Given any two rational • ∀𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℚ, 𝑝 𝑎𝑏 ∈ ℚ False
numbers a and b, it follows
that √𝑎𝑏 is rational.

Given a set 𝑆, a quantified statement of form ∀𝑥 ∈ 𝑆, 𝑃(𝑥) is understood to

be true if 𝑃(𝑥) is true for every 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆. If there is at least one 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆 for which
𝑃(𝑥) is false, then ∀𝑥 ∈ 𝑆, 𝑃(𝑥) is a false statement. Similarly, ∃𝑥 ∈ 𝑆, 𝑃(𝑥) is
true provided that 𝑃(𝑥) is true for at least one element 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆; otherwise it is
false.
We recall that the negation of a false statement is a true statement and
the negation of a true statement is a false statement. We will use this fact to
form the negation of quantified statements.

If we consider the statement, “All dogs are mean.”, we may think that the
negation is “No dogs are mean.”, but this is also a false statement. Thus the
statement “No dogs are mean.” is not the negation of “All dogs are mean.” The
negation of “All dogs are mean,” which is a false statement, is in fact “Some
dogs are not mean,” which is a true statement. The statement “Some dogs are
not mean” can also be stated as “At least one dog is not mean” or “There exists

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a dog that is not mean.” What is the negation of the false statement, “No
doctors write in a legible manner”?

When a statement contains two quantifiers, we must consider their order,

for reversing the order can change the meaning. Quantified statements are
often misused in casual conversation. Some would say “All students do not
pay full tuition.” when they mean “Not all students pay full tuition.” This
mistake must never be observed in a mathematical context. Do not say “All
integers are not even.” because that means there are no even integers.
Instead, say “Not all integers are even.”

Learning Activity 13

Directions. Write the following as English sentences. Say whether they are
true(T) or false(F)

Example:
For all real number 𝑥, the negative of 𝑥 False
∀𝑥 𝜖 ℝ, −𝑥 < 0. is less than zero.

Start Here:

1. ∀𝑥 𝜖 ℝ, 𝑥2 ≥ 0

2. ∀𝑥 𝜖 ℝ, ∃𝑛 𝜖 ℕ, 𝑥𝑛 ≥ 0

3. ∃𝑎 𝜖 ℝ, ∀𝑥 𝜖 ℝ, 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑥

2.1 Recommended learning materials and resources

• Mathematical Notation – Language of Mathematics by Sarada Herke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-c_CgxxPF0
• How to Read Math from Domain of Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp2bYWRQylk
• Mathematical symbols
https://www.rapidtables.com/math/symbols/Basic_Math_Symbols.h
tml#basic
2.2 Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM)
Remote (asynchronous)

• module, exercises, problems sets, powerpoint lessons

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2.3 Assessment Task
A. Write your answer on the blank after each item.

1. Describe the set {6,8,10,12,14,16,18} using

Set-Builder Notation.
2. What is the Cartesian product of the sets
{0,1,2} and {𝑎, 𝑏}?
3. Consider the set 𝐵 = {1,2,3,4,5}. The pair
(𝑥, 𝑦) ϵ 𝑅 if 𝑥 and 𝑦 are both odd or both
even. Write out 𝑅 as a set of ordered pairs.
4. Let 𝑓: {0,1,2} → {0,2,4} defined by 𝑓(𝑎) =
2𝑎, 𝑎 ϵ {0,1,2}. Express 𝑓 as a set of ordered
pairs.
5. A visor costs 90 pesos more than a paper
fan. If we let ℎ be the cost of the fan, what
will be the cost of the visor in mathematical
symbols?
6. Jenny is older than Miko by 4 years. The
sum of their age is 45. If we let 𝑚 be Miko’s
age, what is the representation of the sum of
their ages in mathematical symbols?
7. What is the negation of the compound
statement: “The real number 𝑦 is less than
or equal to the real number 𝑥.”
8. Write the simple statements in the
compound statement: “If the parallelogram
has perpendicular diagonals, then it is a
rhombus.”
9. Write in symbols: “For every positive integer
𝑥, there exists a real number 𝑦 such that the
square of 𝑦 is 𝑥.”
10. Write in symbols: “There exist natural
numbers 𝑥 and 𝑦 such that the difference of
𝑥 and 𝑦 is the same as the difference of 𝑦
and 𝑥.”

B. Essay:
1. What is the nature of mathematics as a language?
2. What is the most useful about the language of mathematics?
3. Give your reaction to the following statements:
a. Mathematics is not a language, but a useless set of formal rules and
alien symbols.
b. Mathematics confuses the communication of concepts and ideas.
c. Mathematics is full of unnecessary symbols, rules, and conventions.

Page 30 of 31
 Your answers in Essay will be graded according to the given
standards/basis for grading:
Score Criteria
Unable to elicit the ideas and concepts from the learning activity, material,
0
or video
Able to elicit the ideas and concepts from the learning activity, material, or
1
video but shows erroneous understanding
Able to elicit the ideas and concepts from the learning activity, material, or
2
video and shows correct understanding
Able to elicit the correct ideas from the learning activity, material, or video
3 and also shows evidence of internalization and consistently contributes
additional thought to the core idea

2.4 References
Books and Lecture Notes
Aufmann, et. al. 2013. Mathematical Excursions. Third Edition. Cengage
Learning, USA
Fischer, Carol Burns. The Language of Mathematics. One Mathematical Cat
Please.
Hammack, Richard. 2013 Book of Proof. Department of Mathematics and
Applied Mathematics. Virginia Commonwealth University
Jamison, R.E. 2000 Learning the Language of Mathematics. Language and
learning across the disciplines
Sirug, Winston. (2018) Mathematics in the Modern World. Mindshapers Co.,
Inc. Publishing Company
Internet source:
https://www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/~wtg10/grammar.pdf
date: 08-17-2020

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