Mathematics As A Language
Mathematics As A Language
MATHEMATICS
AS A LANGUAGE
INTRODUCTION
• Language is very powerful. It is used to express our emotions,
thoughts, and ideas. However, if the recipient of the message cannot
understand you, then there is no communication at all. It is very
important that both of you understand the language. Mathematics is
very hard for others to study because they are very overwhelmed
with the numbers, operations, symbols and formulae.
EXPRESSION VERSUS SENTENCES
• You learned in your English subject that expressions do not state
a complete thought, but sentences do. Mathematical sentences
state a complete thought. On the other hand, mathematical
expressions do not.You cannot test if it is true or false.
MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION
• Natural numbers includes all the positive integers from 1 till infinity and
are also used for counting purpose excluding zero (0).
• Example: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,…
• The word integer originated from the Latin word “Integer” which means
whole or intact. Integers is a special set of numbers comprising zero,
positive numbers and negative numbers.
• Z* : The set of all nonzero integers
• The set of irrational numbers is represented by the letter I. Any real number that is not rational is irrational.
These are numbers that can be written as decimals, but not as fractions. They are non-repeating, non-
terminating decimals. Some examples of irrational numbers are:
• Real numbers can be defined as the union of both the rational and irrational numbers. They can be both
positive or negative and are denoted by the symbol “R”. All the natural numbers, decimals and fractions
come under this category.