Mathematics

in the Modern
world
Module 2 : Language of
Mathematics

By: Villamor, Allen Jhon R.

Longcop Richard Jr T.
Mr. Pateño
BS ENTREP 1B Jayson
OVERVIEW The language of mathematics is a powerful tool used to
understand the simple and complex mathematical concepts. In
this module, you will learn that mathematics, like any other
disciplines, has its own symbols, syntaxes, and rules that
minimizes misconceptions and allows deeper understanding of
mathematical thoughts.

Moreover, this module will develop your ability in writing

mathematical sentences formally.
 Learning Outcomes:

After working on this module, you will be able to:

1. know the characteristic of the language of mathematics

2. identify analogies of the English language and mathematical language;
3. distinguish mathematical expression from a mathematical sentence;
4. determine the truth of a mathematical sentence;
5. know the conventions in the language of mathematics; and
6. translate English phrases to mathematical expressions, and vice-versa.
 LANGUAGE

- Facilitates communication
and clarifies meaning.
- Allows people to express
themselves and maintain their
identity.
ACTIVITY TO DO:
 Characteristics of the
Mathematical Language
There are three characteristics that
distinguishes mathematical language from the
ordinary language. The language of
mathematics is:

(1) precise. -It is able to give or make very fine

distinctions between concepts.

(2) concise. -It is able to express concepts

correctly and briefly.

(3) powerful. -It is able to express complex

ideas with relative ease.
EXPRESSION VERSUS SENTEN
ENGLISH

NOUN
SENTENCE
(name given to object of
(must state a complete
interest)
thought)

Person place. True False.

Thing Sometimes true,

Carol. Idaho Sometimes false

Cat
The word cat. The word cat The cat is
MATHEMATI
black
CSBegin with
Letter “c”
begin with
letter “k”

EXPRESSION
SENTENCE
( name given to
(must state a complete
mathematical object of
thought)
interest)
The following table will give us a better understanding between the
English language and mathematical language.
Explore the difference
of

English language
and Mathematical

language
 EXAMPLE 1

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The sentence “Leo loves geometry.”
expresses a complete thought. The
sentence is true if Leo really loves
geometry. The sentence is false if
Leo does not love geometry. Thus,
the sentience is sometimes true or
sometimes false.
EXAMPLE
1
Mathematical Language
The sentence “4 + 5 = 9”, read
as “four plus five is equal to 9”,
states a complete thought. The
mathematical verb of the
sentence is the equal sign or ‘=’.
This is an example of a true
sentence. The symbol ‘+’ is a
connective used to connect
numbers 4 and 5 to give a new
number, that is, 9.
E
X The correct arrangement of
P symbols used to represent
R mathematical object/s is called an
E expression.
S
The truth value of an expression
S cannot be determined since it does
I not state a complete thought.
O
N
 SENTENCE
The correct arrangement of symbols used to represent
mathematical objects that states a complete thought is called a
sentence.

The truth value of a sentence can be determined as true, false,

or sometimes true or sometimes false.

Mathematical sentences are composed of expressions and verb.

EXAMPLE 2.
Cassify each of the
following as a English
Sentences, Mathematical
Sentence, Noun,
Expression. If it is a
Sentence, encircle the verb
EXAMPLE 3. Determine the truth value of the following
Let us take a look at Example 3 (Problems 4 and 5). The sentence “ 𝑎” is an

no specific value/s defining 𝑎. The truth of the sentence is sometime true or

example of an open sentence since the truth is not known because there are

sometime false depending on the chosen value of 𝑎. Thus, an open sentence

is a sentence whose truth is not known to be true or false, that is, it is
sometimes true or sometimes false.

The sentence “If 𝑥 and y are real numbers, then 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥.”, is an

that is always true or always false. For any real numbers x and y, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦
example of a closed sentence. A closed sentence is a mathematical sentence

+ 𝑥 is always true. Let us consider the sentence “x 0 = 1”. This closed

sentence is always false. No matter what the number substituted to x and
multiplied to 0 will always result to 0.
All languages have conventions and mathematics
is not an exception. Conventions are used to
distinguish concepts from other concepts. For
example, we use capital letters to denote proper
nouns in English and small letters for improper
nouns. While in mathematics, we use capital
letters To name a set and small letter to denote
the elements or members of the set. Conventions
in mathematical language will be discussed
throughout
Moreover, we thecan
entire
givelessons in names
different Modules
for2,a3, and
particular object. In English
4.
language, the word “wonderful” has the following synonyms: “delightful”,
“pleasing”, “brilliant”, and a lot more. We may use a thesaurus find the
synonyms of English words.
In mathematical language, we use expressions to give different names to
a number. To show this property, let us consider the following example:

Give the different names of number “eight”.

4 Note: There are many different correct answers.

1.Standard name 8

1+7
EXAMPLE

2. name using plus sign “+”

15-7
3. name using minus sign “-”
1x8

4. name using multiplication 16 ➗ 2

sign “x”
5. name using division sign “➗”
We have always encountered this common instruction from our teachers: “Simplify the following
expressions.”. To simplify an expression means to get a different name for the expression, that in
some way is simpler. However, the notion of “simpler” have different meanings, namely:

1. fewer symbols- Sometimes, “simpler” means fewer symbols. Instead of using “3 + 4 + 5”, we
may consider “12”. Both names the same number, but “12” uses fewer symbols.

2.Fewer operations - Often “simpler” means using fewer operations, such as addition, or
multiplication. The expressions “2 + 2 + 2 + 2” and “2 4” means the same number “8”. The “2 4”
uses fewer operations compared to “2 + 2 + 2 + 2”.

For example, if we mean to 1 𝑓𝑡 convert units of inches to units of feet, it is best to use “ ” to
3. better suited for current use -In some cases, “simpler” means better suited for current use.

denote the number “1”. 12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠

4. preferred format and style -Sometimes “simpler” means in a preferred format and style.
This is common when we express fractions to its reduced form. Instead of using (two-sixths), we
use (one-thirds).
 VARIABLE

In the preceding lesson, we have been using symbols

(x, y, z, a, b, c) to represent mathematical objects.
Consider the sentence “x + 1 = 4”, the variable x is
the temporary name to a mathematical object that
has the following property: a mathematical object that
when added to 1 it gives a result of 4. We all know that

3. Moreover, 𝑥 should be a positive real number.

this mathematical object is a number and is equal to
Now let us explore using the following examples:
 What is Variable?

A variable is a symbol (usually letters in the

English alphabet) that is used to represent a
member of a specified set. This specified set is
called the variable’s universal set.
In the above examples, the variables, such as 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧, were chosen
from some sets, which we may call the variable’s universal set.

Consider Example 5. The universal set in (1) is the set {0, 1, 2, 3, …} or

the set of whole numbers. In (2), the universal set is the set {13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19}. And in (3), the universal set is the set of numbers

“U is the set with 𝑧, element of the set of integers such that 𝑧 is greater
between 90 and 180. We can write the set as, U = . This can be read as

integers 𝑧 greater than 90 but less than 180”. There are other ways to
than 90 but less than 180”. Or, “U is equal to a set whose elements are

read the set as long as we use the mathematical terms properly.

The symbol U denotes the universal set and ℤ denotes the
set of integers. Lessons on “sets” will be discussed in Module
3.

Some common uses variables:

1. to state a general principle

For all real numbers 𝑥 and 𝑦, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥.

Let us consider this property:

of real numbers. The variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 ‘hold’ any real

The statement informs us that the universal set is the set

statement 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥 remains to be true. This property

number, and no matter what these numbers are, the

also tells us that the expressions 𝑥 + 𝑦 and 𝑦 + 𝑥 are two

different names for the same number. In this case, the
variables allowed us to say an infinite number of things, all at
once.
 Read the expression 2(x + 1).

3. to represent something that is currently “unknown”, but that we would like to know
This third common use of variables is very evident when we are solving word or real-life
problems in mathematics. First, we assign a name (that is, the variable) to the object we want
to know. Then, we write a mathematical sentence that involves the variable and the facts given
in the problem. Lastly, we find choice/s for the variable that would make our mathematical
sentence true.

Such problem-solving techniques will be discussed in Lesson 1.3 (Module 5 – 7).

 How would a mathematician
state the general principle that
is being illustrated in the
following cases?

E
X
A
M
P
L
E

6
 Use variables to rewrite the following
sentences more formally.

E 1. Are there numbers with the property that the sum

X of their squares equals the square of their sum?

A 2. Given any real number, its square is nonnegative.

M
1. Are there numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 with the property that 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎 +
P Solution

L 𝑏)2?
Another answer: Are there numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = (𝑎
+ 𝑏)2?
E
Another answer: Do there exist any numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that 𝑎2
+ 𝑏2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)2?
7
2. Given any real number 𝑟, 𝑟2 is nonnegative.
Another answer: For any real number 𝑟, 𝑟² > 0
Another answer: For all real numbers 𝑟, 𝑟 ² > 0
 Use a few variable as
possible EXAMPLE 8

Solution
A.
A.Translate each of the following phrases 1. X + 10
into a mathematical expression. 2. x . y
1. the sum of a number and 10 3. -1 . y
2. the product of two numbers 4. (x + y)
3. the product of – 1 and a number 5. -10
4. one-half times the sums of two numbers

6. If 𝑥 be Lota’s present age, then the

5. five less than a number B.

expression is 𝑥 + 5.
7. If 𝑟 be the speed and the distance
B. Choose a quantity to be represented by a

formula, 𝑑 = 𝑟𝑡, where 𝑑 is the distance

variable, the write a mathematical

and 𝑡 is time, then the expression is 𝑑 = 60𝑡.

expression for each.

8. Let 𝑃 = perimeter, 𝑤 = width, and 𝑙 =

6. Lota’s age in five years

length of the rectangle. We write, 𝑙 = 2𝑤.

7. the distance traveled by a man driving

Using the formula for perimeter, 𝑃 = 2𝑙 +

at the rate of 60 kph

2𝑤, the expression is 𝑃 = 2(2𝑤) + 2𝑤 You

8. the perimeter of a rectangle whose
length is twice the width.
may use other letters in the English alphabet
 The module introduced us to some special language that serves as a foundation in understanding
mathematical concepts. The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of
thought that mathematics like to express. It is precise, concise, and powerful.

S As a language, mathematics has also its own vocabulary and rules for combining these into
complete thoughts. The first lesson taught us that the mathematical analogue of “noun” is an
“expression”, and the mathematical analogue of “sentence” is also called a “sentence”. Nouns
U and expressions do not state a complete thought. While English and mathematical sentences,
express a complete thought and we can determine the truth value of these sentences.

M Mathematical sentences are classified as open or closed sentences. The truth value of an open
sentence depends on the value/s of the variable/s. We say, the truth of open sentences is

M sometimes true or sometimes false. While, closed sentences are always true or always false for
any value/s of the variable/s.

A We have also discussed some conventions in mathematical language that are necessary in
understanding basic and complex mathematical ideas. Moreover, we have studied a common
type of a problem which involves expressions, that is, simplification of mathematical expressions.
R The term “Simpler” in mathematics means fewer symbols and operations, better suited for the
current use, and according to preferred format or style.

Y Variables take a huge part in mathematics. These letters or symbols represent a member or
element of a universal set. Variables are used to state a general principle, represent a sequence
of operations, and represent something that is currently “unknown”, but we would like to know.

In this module, we were able to write and read mathematical expressions and sentences using
THANK YOU!