MATHEMATICS

In the Modern
World
“Mathematics exists everywhere and it is applied in the most useful
phenomenon. Even looking by just at the ordinary part of the house, the
room and the street, mathematics is there.”

Ms. Maria Angelica M. Denia

INSTRUCTOR
GRACE MISSION COLLEGE
Mathematics in the Modern World
 GRACE MISSION COLLEGE
Catiningan Socorro Oriental Mindoro

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

(MODULE 3)

Objectives: At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
a. Discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics;
b. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language;
c. Perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly, its basic concepts and logic; and
d. Translate simple english phrases to mathematical expression.

TOPIC: The Language, Symbols, Syntax and Rules of Mathematics

The language of Mathematics is the system used by mathematicians to communicate
mathematical ideas among themselves. The language (halimbawa ay English) using technical terms
and grammatical conventions that are peculiar to mathematical discourse, supplemented by a highly
specialized symbolic notation for mathematical formulas.
Mathematics as a language has symbols to express a formula or to represent a constant. It has
syntax to make the expression well-formed to make the character and symbols clear and valid that do
not violate the rules. Mathematical symbols can designate numbers(1, 2, 3, ..) (constants), (a, b,
c,..)variables, (+ , - , …) operations, functions, brackets, punctuation and grouping to help
determine order of operations, and other aspects of logical syntax. A mathematical concept is
independent of the symbol chosen to represent it. In short, convention dictates the meaning.
The language of Mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of symbols, syntax and rules
that mathematicians like to do and characterized by the following:
a. Precise (able to make very fine distinctions)
Example: the use of mathematical symbol is only done based on its meaning and purpose. Like
(+) means add, (-) means subtract, (x) multiply and (÷) means divide.
b. Concise (able to say things briefly)
Example: The long English sentence can be shortened using mathematical symbols. Eight plus
two equals ten means 8 + 2 = 10.
c. Powerful (Able to express complex thoughts with relative sense)

GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Mathematics in the Modern World
 Example: The application of critical thinking and problem solving skills requires the
comprehensive , analysis and reasoning to obtain the correct solution.
Writing Mathematical Language as an Expression or a Sentence
In Mathematics, an expression or mathematical expression is a finite combination of symbols
that is well-formed according to rules that depend on the context. It is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols used to represent a mathematical object of interest. An expression does not
state a complete thought; it does not make sense to ask if an expression is true or false. The most
common types of expressions are numbers, sets and functions. Numbers has lot of different names:
for example, the expression:
5 2+3 10/2 (6 -2) + 1 1+1+1+1,
All look different, but are all just different names for the same number. This simple idea - that
numbers have lots of different names - is extremely important in mathematics. The most common
mistake is to forget parentheses (). For example, the expression: 1/(x+1) is different from 1/x+1
which the system interprets as (1/x) + 1.
The use of expressions ranges from the simple:
8x-5 (linear polynomial)
7x2 + 4x - 10 (Quadratic polynomial)
x −2
2 (Rational Fraction)
3 x +12
And complex:
2π
1
∫ dθ
2 π 0 a+ b sinθ
On the other hand, a mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a
correct arrangement of mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. Sentence have verbs. In
the mathematical sentence “4 + 5 = 9”, the verb is “=”.
Mathematical Convention
A mathematical convention is a fact, name, notation or usage which is generally agreed upon by
mathematicians. Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other mathematicians to
understand what they write without connstantly having to redefine basic terms. The following
symbols are commonly used in the order of operations.

GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Mathematics in the Modern World
 Word associated to symbols/meaning Symbols Example
equal to = 1+4=5
less than < 4 < 6.7
greater than > 78 > 23
not equal to ≠ x ≠ 1.2
less than or equal to ≤ x≤3
greater than or equal to ≥ x≥2
Add, plus or increased, sum + 33 + 2 = 35
Subtract, minus, decreased, diminished - 45 - 10 = 35
Multiply x 3x2=6
Divide or over ÷ or / 20 ÷ 4 = 5, 20/5 = 4
pi π A = π r2
infinity ꝏ This means endless
therefore ∴ a=b∴b=a
Radical or square root √ √ 16 = 4
Aproximately equal to ≈ π ≈ 3.14
degrees ° 37°

Example english phrase to mathematical phrase.

Phrase/ Phrases Variables Expression
5 more than a number y y+5
12 decreased by 9 12 - 9
10 less than a number r r- 10

Perform Operations on Mathematical Expression Correctly

In simplifying mathematical expressions, the following order of operations is one critical point
to observe. Order of operations is hierarchy of mathematical operations. It is the set of rules that
determines which operations should be done before or after others.

GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Mathematics in the Modern World
For Example;
1. Evaluate : (11 - 5) x 2 - 3 + 1
Solution:
=6x2-3+1 remove the parenthesis
= 12 - 3 + 1 multiply
=9+1 subtract
= 10 add

2. 10 ÷ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 x 3
Solution: From the PEMDAS rule, we need to evaluate the division and multiplication before
subtraction and addition. It is recommended that you put in parentheses to remind yourself the other
operation. So from the given, 10 ÷ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 x 3
= (10÷ 2) + (12 ÷ 2 x 3)
= 5 + (6 x 3)
= 5 + 18
= 23

TASK I
Direction: Evaluate the following expression.
1. 4 - 3 [4-2(6-3)] ÷ 2
2. 16 - 3(8-3)2 ÷ 5
3. 44 + 16 ÷ 2 x 5
4. 56 - 16 x 4 + 3
5. 54 + 2 x 6

TASK II
Direction: Translate the following verbal phrases into symbols or mathematical expression.
1. the sum of x and five ______________________________

GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Mathematics in the Modern World
 2. the product of four and seven, dimished by ten ______________________________
3. sixteen less nine ______________________________
4. the quotient of g and negative two ______________________________
5. twice the value of x less eight ______________________________

Prepared By:
Denia, Maria Angelica M.
Instructor

If you have any question, please feel free to contact me or message me on the listed contact
information below.

Messenger: Maria Angelica Denia

Cp. No. 09915321261

GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Mathematics in the Modern World