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UNIT 2. MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

2.0 Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you should be able to:
a. discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics;
b. explain the nature of mathematics as a language; and
c. perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly.

2.1 Introduction
Mathematics is written in a symbolic language that is
designed to express mathematical thoughts. Language is
necessary to facilitate communication or to express your
ideas, feelings or opinion. It serves as the transmitter of
information and knowledge. It leads to understanding of
one’s language and also helps to construct social identity.
This part of the module describes how mathematical
thoughts, methods and facts, are expressed in symbols. You
will be taught the mathematical way of thinking that will
serve you in a wide range of situations. Sometimes, when
you start working on mathematical problems, you find it
hard to proceed because you lack enough knowledge on its
language and symbols. The closer you get to a solution to a
problem, the more you need language that expresses
mathematical ideas clearly and precisely. This unit will give
you some of the special language of variables, sets, relations,
and functions in order to warm up your mental muscles and
do your best in performing mathematical expressions and
eventually solving problems activities.

The “You try this” section of the module should be answered and to be
submitted to me for checking. It will serve as your grade in the participation.
So, you must answer all of them.

2.2 Mathematical Language and Symbols

What is mathematical language?
Mathematical language is used to convey knowledge about things such as numbers, symbols,
sets, functions and what we do with these things like performing operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.

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What are the vocabulary of mathematics?

Symbols:
The 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Operations symbols and sets: +, -, x, /,ᴜ, ∩, ‫ﬤ‬, etc.
Symbols for values: x, y, z, etc.
Special symbols: ꞊, <, >, π, etc.
Logic symbols: Σ, ν, ϵ, ϶, Λ, , , etc.
Set notations: N, Z, R, Q, C, etc.

You will find below additional examples:

Symbol Meaning Example
+ plus, added to, increased by 1+2=3
- minus, subtracted from, less than 10-7=3
x, • times, multiplied by, the product of 2x6=12, 3•4=12
÷, / divided by, the quotient of, the ratio of 25/5=5, 6/3=2
( ) grouping symbols 4(a + 2)
[ ] grouping symbols 3[(a-b)(n+m)]
{ } set symbols {1, 2, 3}
π pi A = πr2
ꝏ infinity ꝏ is endless, 1/0= ꝏ
= equals, is equal to, is 10+4=14
≈ approximately equal to π ≈ 3.14
≠ is not equal to 1≠5
<, ≤ is less than, is less than or equal to 2<7, a≤5
>, ≥ is more than/greater than, is more 9 > 3, b ≥ 2
than/greater than or equal to
˚ degrees 35˚
! factorial 4!=4x3x2x1=24
→ implies (if…then) a and b are odd →a+b is even
↔ “if and only if” or iff or “is equivalent to” x=y+1 ↔ y=x-1
‰ percent, part of a hundred 15%
• •
•• therefore a=b • • b=a

Variables: The symbols you use to represent quantities/numbers that vary or take
different values are called variables. You may represent speed of a car as s,
while the travel time may be represented as, t. Subscript can be added to define
the variable further, like, t1, t2, t3 as the time travelled in the morning, in the
afternoon and in the evening, respectively. Here are additional examples:

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Special Uses of Letters

Examples What they mean
Start of the alphabet a, b, c, … constants (fixed values)
From c to g c, d, e, f, g positive integers (counting)
End of the alphabet …x, y, z variables/unknown

Rules in the use of symbols

Characteristics of Math Language

Precise (able to make very fine distinctions or definitions)
Concise (able to say things briefly)
Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease)

Difficulties
The word “is” could mean equality, inequality or membership in set
Different use of number (cardinal, ordinal, nominal, ratio)
Mathematical objects such as sets and functions
Words “and” and “or” mean differently in mathematics from its English use

The Language of Mathematics

Expression (name given to Sentence (must state a complete thought)

mathematical object of interest)

SET MATRIX TRUE FALSE ST/SF

10
{3} 10 1+2=3 1+2=4 x=1

NUMBER FUNCTION ] ORDERED

Note: ST means sometimes true
PAIR
3 f(x) SF means sometimes false
(x, y)
]

You try this! (number 2)

A. Translate each sentences to mathematical symbols.

1. What is the sum of 35 and y?
2. What is forty-five less than m?
3. What if the number (a) of patients infected by COVID19 virus was reduced by 505?
4. I drive my car at 85 mi/hr. How far will I go in x hours?
5. Ten students rent an apartment for y per month. How much will each pay?

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B. Translate the following mathematical symbols to verbal statements.

6. x + y = 13
7. 2x – 3y = 24
8. 3xy / 1-y
9. d - 2(3x+3y)
10. (4x + y)/cd

Mathematical logic

Why do you need to study mathematical logic? Simply because, it is a branch

of mathematics with close connections to computers. It integrates mathematical logic
and the formal applications of logic to other areas of mathematics. Its importance
cannot be overstated. No conjecture in mathematics is considered fact until it has been
proven logically and valid analysis is done within the rigors of logic. Let us start by
first knowing what is a statement or proposition.

A statement or proposition is a declarative sentence that is true or false but not both. In
here, propositional variables are used such as p, q, r, s, t, etc.

Examples:
Determine whether the following statements are propositions or not.

1. Catbalogan City is the capital of Samar.

Answer: Proposition because it has a truth value (TRUE)
2. Nora is beautiful and sexy.
Answer: Not Proposition because it is neither true nor false
3. What are you doing?
Answer: Not Proposition because the sentence is interrogative.
4. x < 7 if x = 10
Answer: Proposition because it has a truth value (FALSE)

If a proposition is true, then we say that its truth value is true

and if a proposition is false, we say that its truth value is false.

Do you know what are logical connectives? Well, they are used to combine
simple propositions to form compound statements. Words or phrases such as as
and, or, if, then, if and only if, are used. These are Conjunction, Disjunction,
Implication, Biconditional, and Negation. George Boole, in his symbolic logic, used
symbols like p, q, r and s to represent simple statements and connective symbols
such as ᴧ , ᴠ, ¬, →, ↔. A truth table will be used in our discussion to display the
relationships between the truth values of propositions. It is valuable in the

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determination of the truth values of propositions constructed from simpler

propositions. Let us start our discussion with these definitions:

Let p and q be propositions.

1. Conjunction. The conjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “p and q” denoted by p ᴧ q which is true only when both p and q are
true, otherwise, it is false.

Truth Table for Conjunction

p q pᴧq
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F

2. Disjunction. The disjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “p or q” denoted by p ᴠ q which is false only when both p and q are
false, otherwise, it is true.

Truth Table for Disjunction

p q pᴠq
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F

3. Negation. The negation of the statement p is denoted by ¬p where ¬ is the

symbol for “not”. The truth value of the negation is always the reverse of the
truth value of the original statement.

Truth Table for Negation

p ¬p
T F
F T

4. Implication. The implication of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “if p, then q.” denoted by p→q which is false only when both p is true
and q is false.

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Truth Table for Implication

p q p→q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T

5. Biconditional. The biconditional of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “p if and only if q.” denoted by p ↔ q which is true only when both p
and q have the same truth values.

Truth Table for Biconditional

p q p ↔q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T

To be able to guide you, which operators should come first, you have to remember
this:

Operator Precedence
¬ 1
ᴧ 2
ᴠ 3
→ 4
↔ 5
Look at this example:

1. Construct the truth table for ¬p ᴠ ¬q.

Solution:
p q ¬p ¬q ¬p ᴠ ¬q
T T F F F
T F F T T
F T T F T Answer
F F T T T

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You try this! (number 3)

Construct the truth table for (¬p ᴧ q) ᴠ (p ᴧ ¬q).

p q ¬p ¬q ¬p ᴧ q p ᴧ ¬q (¬p ᴧ q) ᴠ (p ᴧ ¬q)
T T F F F F ?
T F F T F T ?
F T T F T F ?
F F T T F F ?

Look at this additional example:

2. Translate into logical expressions.

You can access the internet from the campus if you are a Psych student or you
are not a freshman.
Solution:

Let p be the proposition “you can access the internet from the campus.”
Let q be the preposition “you are a Psych students.”
Let r be the proposition “you are a freshman.”

Answer: p → (q ᴠ r)

You try this! (number 4)

Translate into logical expression.

You cannot access the internet if you are a sophomore unless you are
a Psych student.

Solution:

Let p be the proposition “you are sophomore.”

Let q be the preposition “you can access the internet.”
Let r be the proposition “you are a Psych student.”

Answer: ?

Converse, Inverse and Contrapositive

For every implication or conditional statement, you can construct its

converse, inverse and contrapositive.

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Suppose we have the following statements for P and Q.

P: It rains
Q: They can cancel school

The implication, converse, inverse, and contrapositive will be written in this

manner.
Implication: P →Q
If it rains then they cancel school.

Converse: Q→P
If they cancel school then it rains.

Inverse: ¬P → ¬Q
If it does not rain then they do not cancel school.

Contrapositive: ¬Q → ¬P
If they do not cancel school, then it does not rain.

You try this! (number 5)

State the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the proposition

below:

1. If you will attend review classes, then you will pass the licensure examination.

Converse: ______________________________________________________________
Inverse: ________________________________________________________________
Contrapositive: __________________________________________________________

2.3 References

Quintos, R. T. Jr., Alba, M. C. S., Esquerra, I. T., Cruz, C. G., Camacho, J. D., Jugo,
C. M., David, A. D., & Tolentino, M. Q. (2019). Mathematics in the modern
world. St. Andrew Publishing House.

Rodriquez, M. J., Salvador, I. G. O., Ragma, F. G., Torres, E. M., Manalang, E. M.,
Oredina, N. A., & Ogoy, J. I. N. (2018). Mathematics in the modern world.
Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd.

2.4 Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above.

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Name _____________________________ Course, Year and Section __________

Exercise No. 2 (Mathematical Language and Symbols)

I. Determine whether the following statements is a proposition or not. Write

your answer before each number.
_________ 1. All multiples of 5 are odd numbers.
_________ 2. The sum of two prime numbers is even.
_________ 3. Is it raining?
_________ 4. Come to me!
_________ 5. All even numbers are multiples of 2.

II. Construct a truth table for each of these compound statements.

1. (p ᴠ q) → (p ᴧ q)

Solution:
p q (p ᴠ q) (p ᴧ q) (p ᴠ q) → (p ᴧ q)

2. (p ↔ q) → (p ᴧ q)

Solution:

p q (p ↔ q) (p ᴧ q) (p ↔ q) → (p ᴧ q)

III. State the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the proposition below.

1. The ship will sink if it is overloaded.

Converse: ________________________________________________
Inverse: __________________________________________________
Contrapositive: ____________________________________________

C. M. D. Hamo-ay