MATHEMATICS AS A LANGUAGE

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Expressions vs. Sentences
Conventions in the Mathematical Language
Four basic concepts: sets, functions, relations, and binary operations
Elementary Logic: connectives, quantifiers, negation, variables
 Functions and Limits

Objectives:
At the end of the unit, the learners are expected to:

1. Relate the concept of finding an expression for

the slope of a tangent line at a certain point, to
the derivative of a function.
2. Enumerate and apply the different theorems of
differentiation, given certain forms of
expressions.
 Mathematics as a Language

Characteristics of
Mathematical
Language
 Mathematics as a Language

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Mathematics as a language is …

• precise (able to make very fine distinctions)

• concise (able to say things briefly)
• powerful (able to express complex
thoughts with relative ease)
 Mathematics as a Language

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Just as English language has nouns and

sentences, so does mathematics that
have its own ‘nouns’ (objects or
quantities being studied) and ‘sentences’
(stating complete mathematical
thoughts).
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions
vs.
Sentences
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

An expression is an object of interest

represented by mathematical symbols
(number, variable, or both).
4
𝑥 + 2 ∙𝑦
expressions because 5
thoughts are incomplete.
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

Synonyms also exist among mathematical

expressions.

4 can be written as:

1+1+1+1 8
16
2
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

Synonyms also exist among mathematical

expressions.

10 can be written as:

−(−10) 1+2+3+4 100

 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

A sentence involves a collection of

expressions related by equality or
inequalities symbols. These symbols act as
verb that connects the expressions on its left
and right sides.
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

20 – 17 = 13

“20 – 17” and “13” are two different

expressions related by “=”

Twenty minus seventeen is equal to thirteen.

 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

Truth of Sentences
Sentences can either be true or false.
However, expressions could not be classified
as true or false simply because they carry an
incomplete thought. A mathematical
sentence can either be true or false
depending upon what message it conveys.
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

This is true because getting the

25 = 5 square root of 25 is really 5.

This is false because using the rule

6 – (−7) < −1 of subtracting integers, 6 minus
negative 7 results to 13, and 13 is
not less than -1.
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

𝑥 + 8 = 23
This is sometimes true/sometimes false. This a
conditional sentence because its truth depends
upon the value of the variable. If x is 15, then
the sentence is true. Otherwise, it is false.
 Mathematics as a Language

Expressions vs. Sentences

0
=1
0
This is indeterminate because its truth is not fully
determined, because it satisfies all of the rules in
mathematics enumerated below.
• Any fraction whose numerator is equal to the
denominator is equal to 1.
• If a fraction’s numerator is 0, then its value is 0.
• If a fraction’s denominator is 0, then it is undefined.
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the
Mathematical
Language
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

SENTENCES
Regardless if real or imaginary, numbers
carry their own values. They are constant
because their values do not change. As for
the real numbers, they can be plotted on a
number line to visualize their exact
position.
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

ENGLISH ALPHABET
EXAMPLES USUAL MEANING
Start of the alphabet Generally, they are used in general formats of
(a, b, c, …) equations and they stand for constants.
From i to n
(i, j, k, l, m, n)
They stand for positive integers
End of the alphabet
(… , x, y, z)
They are used as variables.

𝒊= −𝟏 𝒆 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟖𝟏 …
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

GREEK ALPHABET
Greek letters play a fair share in
mathematics language. Usually, they are
used in formulas not only in mathematics
but also in different branches of science
like chemistry and physics.
 Mathematics as a Language
GREEK ALPHABET
GREEK GREEK SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE
LETTER CAPITAL SMALL
Angles, coefficients, attenuation constant,
Alpha Α α
absorption factor, area
Beta Β β Angles, coefficients, phase constant
Complex propagation constant (cap), specific
Gamma Γ γ gravity, angles, electrical conductivity,
propagation constant
Incrment or decrement, determinant (cap),
Delta Δ δ
permittivity (cap), density, angles
Dielectric constant, permittivity, electric
Epsilon Ε ε
intensity
 Mathematics as a Language
GREEK ALPHABET
GREEK GREEK SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE
LETTER CAPITAL SMALL
Zeta Ζ ζ Coordinates, coefficients
Intrinsic impedance, efficiency, surface
Eta Η η
charge density, hysteresis, coordinates
Angular phase displacement, angles, time
Theta Θ θ
constant, reluctance

Iota Ι ι Unit vector

Susceptibility, coupling coefficient, thermal
Kappa Κ κ
conductivity
 Mathematics as a Language
GREEK ALPHABET
GREEK GREEK SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE
LETTER CAPITAL SMALL
Permeance (cap), wavelength, attenuation
Lambda Λ λ
constant
Permeability, amplification factor (in valves/
Mu Μ μ vacuum tubes), prefix for the micro
multiplier.

Nu Ν ν Reluctivity, frequency

Xi Ξ ξ Coordinates

Omicron Ο ο
 Mathematics as a Language
GREEK ALPHABET
GREEK GREEK SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE
LETTER CAPITAL SMALL
Pi Π π Universally used for 3.1416 . . . .
Resistivity, volume charge density,
Rho Ρ ρ
coordinates
Summation (cap), surface charge density,
Sigma Σ σ complex propagation constant, electrical
conductivity, leakage coefficient, deviation
Time constant, volume resistivity, time-phase
Tau Τ τ
displacement, transmission factor, density
Upsilon Υ υ
 Mathematics as a Language
GREEK ALPHABET
GREEK GREEK SYMBOL
USED TO DENOTE
LETTER CAPITAL SMALL
Phi Φ φ Scalar potential (cap), magnetic flux, angles
Chi Χ χ Electric susceptibility, angles
Dielectric flux, phase difference, coordinates,
Psi Ψ ψ
angles
Electrical resistance (cap), solid angle, angular
Omega Ω ω
velocity
Reference: Greek Alphabet Symbols & Characters: mathematical uses. (n.d). Retrieved from
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/basic_concepts/letters-symbols/greek-alphabet-
characters-list.php
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

SYMBOLS
Various symbols for operation and
relationship of two quantities are used in
mathematics. Furthermore, mathematical
symbols can be directly translated from
English phrases.
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Symbol/Operation Common Phrases
Added to, sum of, plus, increased
+
by
Subtracted from, less, less than,
–
decreased by, difference of, ago
∗ 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑟 Of, multiplied to, times, product,
𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑡 twice, thrice
÷ 𝑜𝑟 / or fraction Divided by, ratio of, quotient
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Symbol/Operation Common Phrases

= Is, equals, results to
> Is greater than, exceeds
< Is less than
Is at least, is greater than or equal
≥
to, at minimum, not less than
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Symbol/Operation Common Phrases

Is at most, is less than or equal to,
≤
at maximum, not greater than
≠ Is not equal to
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

STATEMENTS
Sentences in mathematics may be
considered universal, conditional, or
existential statements.
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

STATEMENT DEFINITION EXAMPLE

All positive
-states that a certain
Universal numbers are
property is true for all
Statement greater than
elements in a set.
zero.
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

STATEMENT DEFINITION EXAMPLE
- indicates that if one
thing is true, then
some other things are If 378 is divisible
Conditional
also true. by 18, then 378
Statement
- usually constructed is divisible by 6.
as an if-then
statement
 Mathematics as a Language

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

STATEMENT DEFINITION EXAMPLE

- says that, given a
property that may or
There is a prime
Existential may not be true. there
number that is
Statement is at least one thing
even.
for which the
property is true
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts:

Sets, Functions,
Relations and
Binary Operations
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
A. Sets

A set is a collection of well-defined objects

called elements.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
A. Sets

“Well-defined” refers to an objective and

common understanding of all regarding the
commonalities of the elements in a set.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
A. Sets

The name of the set is always written in capital

letters, while its elements are in lowercase letters.
If the elements are numeric, they should be
written in ascending order.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Example:

1. The group of easy subjects in junior high

school is not a set because the definition
of the term “easy” varies from person to
person.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Example:
2. The group of all the first year students
enrolled in PUP Santa Rosa for the
academic year 2023-2024 is a set because
one can easily identify if a student belongs
to this set using the registration card.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Example:

3. The collection of all even positive

numbers is also a set.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

From Example 3, it can be noted that 4 is an

element of this set, which will now be referred
as set A. This can be written as 4 ∈ 𝐴, and is read
as “4 is an element of A”. On the other hand, 11
is not an element of A or 11 ∉ 𝐴.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Cardinality of a set A (written as n(A)) refers to

the number of elements contained in a set. For
example, set X contains the even counting
numbers below 11. Thus, set X can be written as:
𝑋 = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}. From here it can be seen
that set X has 5 elements. So: 𝑛(𝑋) = 5.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

There are three ways

in writing a set
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
EXAMPLE:
SET NOTATION DEFINITION SET S = {FIRST THREE
MULTIPLES OF 9}
- requires all the elements of the
1. Roster set to be written inside a pair of
Method/ braces and separated by comma.
Listing If the set has infinite number of 𝑆 = {9, 18, 27}
Method elements, an ellipsis (3 dots) is
used to denote the unlisted
elements
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
EXAMPLE:
SET NOTATION DEFINITION SET S = {FIRST THREE
MULTIPLES OF 9}

Set S
2. Verbal - defines the set’s unifying contains the
Descriptive characteristic in a first three
Method sentence format. multiples of
9.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
EXAMPLE:
SET NOTATION DEFINITION SET S = {FIRST THREE
MULTIPLES OF 9}
- identifies the rule behind the set
using the format { x | (state the
rule)} and is read as “x such that x
S = { x | x is the
3. Set Builder is (state the rule)”
first three
Notation - the verb in set builder notation is
multiples of 9}
always singular. However, it
describes all the possible elements
in the set.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Furthermore, the following are the kinds of sets:
• A universal set contains all the possible
elements of any set used in the present
situation being studied. It is always
represented by a capital letter U.
• A null set (or empty set) is a set with no
elements. It is denoted by an empty pair of
braces { } or ∅.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Furthermore, the following are the kinds of sets:

• A unit set is a set with exactly one element.
• A finite set is a set with definite and countable
number of elements.
• An infinite set is a set with indefinite number
of elements. If written in roster method.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Sets can also be related to each other in
multiple ways:
Joint Sets Disjoint Sets
Two or more sets are
Two or more sets are
said to be joint if they
disjoint if they have no
have at least one
element in common.
element in common.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Examples:
𝐶 = {3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18}
𝐷 = {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19}
𝐸 = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50, … }
• Sets C and D are joint sets because they both
have the elements 12, 15, and 18.
• Sets C and E are disjoint sets because they do
not have any element in common.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Equivalent Sets Equal Sets

Two or more sets are
equal if they have the
Two sets are equivalent
same cardinality and
if they have the same
exactly the same
cardinality.
elements (regardless of
order).
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Examples:
𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑒, 𝑖, 𝑜, 𝑢}
𝑇 = {96, 97, 98, 99, 100}
𝑆 = {100, 99, 98, 96, 97}
• Sets B and T are equivalent because 𝑛(𝐵) = 5 and
the 𝑛(𝑇) = 5, too.
• Sets T and S are equal sets because they have the
same cardinality and exactly the same elements.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Example: List all the subsets and proper subsets
of this set:
𝐺 = {1, 2, 3}
Subset Proper Subset
{ } {1} {2} {3} { } {1} {2} {3}
{1,2} {1,3} {2,3} {1,2,3} {1,2} {1,3} {2,3}
Notice that the subset {1,2,3} is not a proper subset,
because it contains all the elements of G.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Operations on sets can also be done.

Furthermore, Venn diagram can be helpful
to visualize these operations, and
interpret what the data in the set actually
imply.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Below are the different operations on sets

and their corresponding illustrations in
the Venn diagram. Regions on the Venn
diagram are shaded to emphasize the part
on the Venn diagram where the answer in
the operation lies.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION DEFINITION SYMBOL VENN DIAGRAM

Union of sets
contains the 𝐴∪𝐵
Union elements found = 𝑥 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛
in set A or in set 𝐴 𝑶𝑹 𝑖𝑛 𝐵}
B, or in both.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION DEFINITION SYMBOL VENN DIAGRAM

Intersection of
sets contains 𝐴∩𝐵
Intersection the elements = 𝑥 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛
𝐴 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑖𝑛 𝐵}
found in both
sets A and B.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION DEFINITION SYMBOL VENN DIAGRAM

The difference of
set B from set A 𝐴−𝐵
= 𝑥 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛
Difference contains the 𝐴 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕
elements in set A 𝑖𝑛 𝐵}
but not in set B.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION DEFINITION SYMBOL VENN DIAGRAM

A complement
of set A is the 𝐴′𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑐
Complement difference of = {𝑥|𝑥
∉ 𝐴}
set A from the
universal set.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION DEFINITION SYMBOL VENN DIAGRAM

The Cartesian
Products of two sets
A and B is the sets of 𝐴𝑥𝐵
Cartesian = { (𝑎, 𝑏) | 𝑎
ordered pairs (a,b)
Product ∈ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏
where a is an ∈ 𝐵}
element of A and b is
an element of B.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
Examples: Perform the following operations on
the sets below:

𝑈 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, … }
𝐸 = {1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20}
𝐶 = {10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20}
𝑄 = {0, 1}
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
1. 𝐸 ∩ 𝑄
Get all the common elements between E and Q.
∴ 𝑬 ∩ 𝑸 = {𝟏}

2. 𝐶 ∪ 𝑄
Get all the elements in C, in Q, or in both. In other
words, combine the elements of the two sets.
∴ 𝑪 ∪ 𝑸 = {𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟏𝟎, 𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟒, 𝟏𝟔, 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎}
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

3. (𝑄 ∩ 𝐶) ∩ 𝐸
Start with (𝑄 ∩ 𝐶). But (𝑄 ∩ 𝐶) = { }
Then get its intersection with 𝐸.
∴ (𝑸 ∩ 𝑪) ∩ 𝑬 = { }
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

4. 𝑄 − 𝐸
To get their difference, remove from Q
the elements found in both Q and E.
𝑄 = {0,1} but 𝐸 also contains 1, so this
element must be removed from 𝑄
∴ 𝑸 − 𝑬 = {𝟎}
Note: 𝑄−𝐸 is not equal to 𝐸−𝑄.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

5. (𝑄 − 𝐸)′
From example 5, the element of 𝑄 − 𝐸 is
already determined. So remove its from the
universal set. Whatever left are the elements
′
of 𝑄 − 𝐸
′
∴ 𝑸−𝑬
= {𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 𝟒, 𝟓, 𝟔, 𝟕, 𝟖, 𝟗, 𝟏𝟎, 𝟏𝟏, 𝟏𝟐, … }
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
6. 𝑄 𝑥 𝐶
To get its elements, pair each term of 𝑄 by a term in 𝐶.
Enclose each pair in a parenthesis and proceed to
another pair.
Distribute the each of the elements of 𝑄 = {0,1} to each
of the elements of 𝐶 = {10,12,14,16,18,20}
∴ 𝑸 𝒙 𝑪 = {(𝟎, 𝟏𝟎), (𝟎, 𝟏𝟐), (𝟎, 𝟏𝟒), (𝟎, 𝟏𝟔), (𝟎, 𝟏𝟖),
(𝟎, 𝟐𝟎), (𝟏, 𝟏𝟎), (𝟏, 𝟏𝟐), (𝟏, 𝟏𝟒), (𝟏, 𝟏𝟔), (𝟏, 𝟏𝟖), (𝟏, 𝟐𝟎)}
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
B. Relations

Man, by nature, is related to others. Be it by blood

(if they share common ancestor), by marriage, or
just be hierarchical position (e.g. leader-and-
subordinate, employer-and employee, etc.).
Similarly, objects in mathematics are may be related
in various ways.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
C. Functions
A function F from a set A to a set B is a relation with
domain A and co-domain B that satisfies the
following two properties:
1. For every element x in A, there is an element y in B
such that (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝐹
2. For all elements x in A and y and z in B, If (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈
𝐹 and (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝐹, then 𝑦 = 𝑧.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

D. Binary Operations
Primarily, the word “binary” means “composed
of two”. Thus, binary operation is simply a rule
combining two values in order to give a new
value.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations
• For sets, the binary operations are intersection,
union, and difference.
• For logic statements, the binary operations are
conjunction and disjunction.
• For real numbers, the binary operations are
addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION/S
PROPERTY DEFINITION
INVOLVED

If a ∈ℝ and b ∈ℝ,
then:
Addition and
Closure
Multiplication
(𝑎 + 𝑏) ∈ ℝ
(𝑎)(𝑏) ∈ ℝ
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION/S
PROPERTY DEFINITION
INVOLVED

Addition and 𝑎+𝑏 = 𝑏+𝑎

Commutative
Multiplication (𝑎)(𝑏) = (𝑏)(𝑎)
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION/S
PROPERTY DEFINITION
INVOLVED

𝑎+𝑏 +𝑐
Addition and = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐)
Associative
Multiplication 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= (𝑎) [(𝑏)(𝑐)]
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION/S
PROPERTY DEFINITION
INVOLVED

𝑎 + 0 = 𝑎 𝑜𝑟 0 + 𝑎 = 𝑎
(The identity element of
addition is 0.)
Addition and
Identity 𝑎 1 = 𝑎 𝑜𝑟
Multiplication (1)(𝑎) = 𝑎
(The identity element of
multiplication is 1.)
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

OPERATION/S
PROPERTY DEFINITION
INVOLVED

Addition and 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0

Inverse
Multiplication (𝑎)(1/𝑎) = 1
 Mathematics as a Language

Four Basic Concepts: Sets, Functions, Relations and

Binary Operations

Closure property is very important in binary

operations. You can only say that an
operation is a binary operation under a
certain group/set of numbers if and only if it
is closed under the said operation.
 Mathematics as a Language

Reference:
Alignay, R.C.T (2020). Instructional Material for Calculus 1.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Santa Rosa Branch
Atienza, R. J. M., & Alignay, R.C.T (2020). Instructional Material
for Set Theory and Math Logic. Polytechnic University of the
Philippines – Santa Rosa Branch
Aufmann, R. N., Lockwood, J. S., Nation, R. D., & Clegg, D. K.
(2018). Mathematical Excursion (4th Edition). Boston, MA:
Cengage Learning.