Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

UNIT 2: MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

Introduction

Galileo Galilei once said, "The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics."
There is direct mathematical equivalent to this circumstance. Because mathematical concepts
are typically given in a foreign language—the language of mathematics—people frequently
struggle to understand them. Mathematics has its own symbols, grammar, and rules that must
be followed to be expressed and understood by others. The second unit of the module builds
upon the first unit's discussion of multiple special languages, or the language of variables, sets,
relations, and functions, as the basis for mathematical cognition. This module's exercises and
readings are both rather simple.

Learning Outcomes

After finishing this unit, you should be able to:

a. discuss the mathematical terms, symbols, and notions;

b. elucidate the language-like aspect of mathematics;

c. identify the mathematical language's conventions;

d. operate correctly mathematical expressions; and

e. understand that the language of mathematics is a valuable one.

17
 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Lesson 1: Nature of Mathematics as a Language and Binary Operations

We will think of this unit as a warm up to our mental muscles before we start to work and do
our best on mathematical problems. How do we attack a mathematical problem? The idea is
the need to understand the mathematical language clearly, precisely and unambiguously.
Mathematics is about ideas -- relationships, quantities, processes, and ways of figuring out
certain kinds of things, reasoning, and so on. It uses words.
Thus, we need to get extensive practice with mathematical language ideas, to enhance the
ability to correctly read, write, speak, and understand math. The language of math can be
learned, but requires the efforts needed to learn any foreign language. With this, the learner can
easily understand and solve problems in mathematics.

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this lesson, you are expected to:

a. discuss the language, symbols and conventions of mathematics;
b. explain the nature of mathematics as a language; and
c. Perform basic unary and binary operation.

Mind Activation
Let’s see how you do well in understanding the expressions in mathematics. This will tell you
the language in mathematics that you understand.

If possible, classify the entries in the list below as: • an English noun, or a mathematical
expression • an English sentence, or a mathematical sentence.
a) Carol _____________________
b) Carol loves mathematics. _____________________
c) The name ‘Carol’ begins with the letter ‘ C ’. _____________________
d) 7 _____________________
e) 3 + 4 _____________________
f) 7 = 3 + 4 _____________________
g) 3 + 4 = 7 _____________________
h) 7 = 3 + 5 _____________________
i) t _____________________
j) t = 2 _____________________

18
 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

k) 0 = 2 − t _____________________
l) t – 1 _____________________

Acquiring New Skills

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Some of the reasons why learners find difficulties in math just because they lack the language
and the characteristics of math. Hence, it is important that you are equipped with these symbols
and their notion for you to easily understand math.

Mathematical Language Features

The precise, succinct, and strong ideas that mathematicians prefer to express can be easily
expressed using the language of mathematics.
1. Exact and accurate are synonyms for precise. It is frequently employed in mathematical
or scientific applications when precise, unchanging measurements or declarations are
required. Although precise and exactly are practically equivalent, they should not be used
interchangeably. If you are referring to a measurement or a time, exact is better. For
example, my alarm is programmed to go off at precisely 5:30 A.M.
2. Symbols should be used simply to convey more. It refers to expressing something briefly,
with as few words as possible while maintaining the intended meaning.
3. Being powerful requires having a relatively simple way of expressing difficult ideas.

The definitions that follow will help you better understand these concepts.
Nouns are used to name subjects of conversation in English (such as persons, places, and
objects), but sentences are used to express a complete notion. At least one noun and one verb
are present in every normal English sentence. Gemma, for instance, enjoys mathematics.
The mathematical equivalent of a noun is known as an expression. Thus, a name given to a
mathematical object of interest, such as a number, set, matrix, or average, to mention a few, is
called an expression.

19
 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Expressions versus Sentences

MATHEMATICS

Expression Sentence
(name given to mathematical object of (must state a complete
interest) thought)
Number TRUE : 1+ 2 = 3
Number, Set, Matrix, Ordered pair, FALSE: 1 + 2 = 4
Average ST/SF : x =1

The mathematical equivalent of an English phrase is a correctly assigned set of mathematical

symbols that expresses a coherent idea. It contains connectives and verbs. Additionally, the
idea of truth (the quality of being true or untrue) must be taken into account because it is crucial
to the understanding of mathematics. We construct mathematical phrases using symbols
and numbers rather than words.
Example:
1. In the formula, 6 + 9 equals 15. Actually a verb, the equal sign is one of the
most commonly used verbs in mathematics.
2. In the equation 6 + 9 = 15, the sign "+" is a connective, which is used to link
things of the same type.
3. An expression can be true or false. Asking if a sentence is true makes sense. If
it is true, ask. Is it untrue? Is it occasionally true? occasionally false?
Conventions in the Mathematical Language
In mathematics, we frequently need to work with numbers, these numbers are the most
common mathematical expressions. And, numbers have lots of different names and they are in
simplified form (fewer symbols, fewer operations, better suited to current use and preferred/
style/format) is extremely important in mathematics. This is the same concept as synonyms in
English (words that have the same or nearly the same) meaning.
Example: Numbers with different names and simplified form
a. 5, 2 + 3, 10÷2 , (6 - 2) + 1, or 1 + 1+ 1 +1+ 1
b. 3 + 1 + 5 and 9 are both names for the same number but 9 uses fewer
symbols.
c. 3 + 3+ 3 + 3 + 3 and 5×3 are both names for the same number, but
5×3 uses fewer operation.
1
d. 3.25 units versus 3 4 unit (fraction in simplest form is necessary).
1 13
e. We write instead of . We usually write fraction in reduced form
2 26
or simplest form.

20
 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

Grammar of Mathematics
The grammar of mathematics is the structural rules governing the use of symbols
representing mathematical objects. The main reason for the importance of mathematical
grammar is that statements of mathematics are supposed to be precise.
Mathematical sentences become highly complex if the parts that made them up are not clear
and simple which makes it difficult to understand. Some difficulties in math language are:

(a) the word "is" could mean equality =, inequality (, ≥, , ≤) or membership (∈, ∉ )
in a set;

(b) different uses of a number; to express quantity (cardinal), to indicate the order
(ordinal), and as a label (nominal);

(c) Mathematical objects may be represented in many ways, such as sets and functions;
and
(d)
(e) The words "and' & "or" means different from their English uses.
Examples: In expressing the following using mathematical symbols:
a. 3 is the square root of 9
b. 15 is greater than 10
c. 103 is a prime number
the answers are:
a. 3 = √9
b. 15  10
c. 103 ∈ 𝑃 where P is a prime number

Basic Concepts and Objects Used in Mathematics

To better understand mathematical language, one must have an understanding of at least a few
of the four basic mathematical objects and concepts.

a. Objects in Mathematics are Numbers, Variables, and Operations (unary & binary).
b. Four Basic Concepts are: sets (relationships, operations, properties), relations
(Equivalence relations), functions and binary operations.

1. Operations (Unary or Binary)

A Unary operation is an operation on a single element.

21
 Exploring Mathematics in the Modern World

2. Binary Operations

A binary operation is an operation that combines two elements of a set to give a single element.
A binary operation on a set A is a function that takes pairs of elements of A and produces
elements of A from them.

We use the symbol * to denote arbitrary binary operation on a set A.

Four Properties of binary operations:

1. Commutative Property: For all real numbers x and y.

𝑥∗𝑦=𝑦∗𝑥
• Example for addition operation: 2 + 4 = 4 + 2
• For example, multiplication on real numbers is said to be commutative since
3×6=6×
2. Associative Property: For all real numbers x, y and z.
x* (y*z) = (x*y)* z
• For example, addition operation: 2 + (4 + 6) = (2 + 4) + 6
• Example for multiplication operation:3 × (6 × 9) = (3 × 6) × 9

3. Existence of Identity element e for all real number x such that

𝑒 ∗ 𝑥 = 𝑥 ∗ 𝑒 = 𝑥.
• The identity element for addition is 0 such that 0 + 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 0 = 𝑥 .
• The identity element for multiplication is 1 where 1 ≠ 0 such that
1×𝑥 =𝑥×1=𝑥

4. Existence of Inverse element a for all real number x such that

𝑎 ∗ 𝑥 = 𝑥 ∗ 𝑎 = 𝑒.
• The additive inverse of element 𝑎 is −𝒂 such that
(−𝑎) + 𝑎 = 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0.
• For instance, the additive inverse element of 5 is −𝟓 such that 5 + (−5) =
(−5) + 5 = 0. Adding the number and its inverse (negative) of that number
results to additive identity element 0. The inverse of a number will always be
distinct and unique.

𝟏
• The multiplicative inverse of element 𝑎 is where 𝒂 ≠ 0 (reciprocal of 𝑎)
𝒂
1 1
such that 𝑎
×𝑎 =𝑎×𝑎 =1
1 1
• The multiplicative inverse of 5 is 5 × ( ) = ( ) × 5 = 1. Multiplying the
5 5
number and its inverse (reciprocal) of that number results to multiplicative
identity element 1.

22