Mathematics in

the Modern
World
Course Material in Mathematics

Jenette C. Pangilinan
Course Instructor
2 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

Mathematical Language
and Symbols 2
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Here’s what I will teach you in this course material:

LESSON OUTLINE
• Understand the characteristics of mathematical language.
• Characteristics of
• Differentiate mathematical expressions from sentences.
mathematical
language Understand the conventions in mathematical language.
Unit Outline •

• Understand sets, functions, relations and binary operation.

• Expressions vs
Sentences

• Conventions in
mathematical RESOURCES NEEDED
language
For this lesson, you would need the following resources:
• Sets, Functions,
Relations and • Textbook:
Binary • Video:
Operations
• Website:
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 3
LAGUNA

PRE-TEST
Before you start, try answering the following questions briefly.

A. Classify each given equation as a mathematical expression (E) or mathematical

sentence (S).

1. a + 9 ______________________

2. b + 0 ______________________
𝑔
3. ______________________
100

4. 2 ______________________

5. x = 1 ______________________

B. List all the subsets of 1, b.

Answer: _________________________

C. Using distributive property, write the equivalent expression of a (-x +y -z)

Answer: _________________________________
4 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

PRE-ACTIVITY
Direction:

Watch the video, “Math isn’t hard, it is a Language” in this link:

https://youtu.be/V6yixyiJcos

After watching, answer the following questions:

1. Is Mathematics part of the human language? Why?

Answer: __________________________________________________

2. Does Mathematics have vocabulary and grammar? How do we know then whether a
statement in mathematics is meaningful?
Answer: __________________________________________________
 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 5
LAGUNA

The Language of Mathematics

People frequently have trouble understanding mathematical ideas:

CONTENT AND not necessarily because the ideas are difficult, but because they are being
presented in a foreign language, that is, the language of mathematics. In this
DISCUSSION lesson, we will discuss the importance of understanding the language of
mathematics and how it will make it easy for you to express the kinds of
thoughts that mathematicians like to express. Let us start with the
characteristics of the language of mathematics: precise, concise and
powerful.

Characteristics of the Language of Mathematics

• The language of mathematics is PRECISE.
- able one to make very fine distinctions.
Key Point
- exact and accurate.
• The language of mathematics is CONCISE.
Comprehending a message
- able to say things briefly.
- no need for unnecessary words.
is better understood if a
• The language of mathematics is POWERFUL.
person understand how
- able to express complex thoughts with relative ease.
things are said and may
know why it is said. In this
Examples:
lesson, the use of language
in mathematics is far from a. x=5
ordinary speech, instead it b. 1 – 4 = -3
can be learned but needs a c. P is the point of intersection of line L and M.
lot of efforts like learning a d. CD is perpendicular to AB or CB ⊥ AB.
new dialect or language.

Learning the language of

mathematics is vital for the
development of
mathematical proficiency.
Thus, it is important to
understand the
characteristics of the
language of mathematics:
precise, concise, and
powerful.
 6 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS

Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its rules for combining these
words into complete thoughts (the sentences). Mathematics is no exception. As a first step in
discussing the mathematical language, we will make a very broad classification between the
‘nouns’ of mathematics (used to name mathematical objects of interest) and the ‘sentences’ of
mathematics (which state complete mathematical thoughts).

Language is a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional

symbols. However, in Mathematics, it is a system of communication about objects which is
presented in a form of numbers, variables, operations, functions, and equation.

Language and Mathematics

Fig. 1

EXPRESSIONS versus SENTENCES

In English nouns are used to name things we want to talk about (like people, places, and things);
whereas sentences are used to state complete thoughts. A typical English sentence has at least one
noun, and at least one verb.

Example:
Karii loves mathematics.

Here Karii and mathematics are “nouns” and “loves” is a verb.

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 7
LAGUNA

The mathematical analogue of a ‘noun’ will be called an expression. Thus, an expression is a name
given to a mathematical object of interest. Whereas in English, we need to talk about people, places,
and things, we’ll see that mathematics has much different ‘objects of interest’. Also, the
mathematical analogue of a ‘sentence’ will also be called a sentence. A mathematical sentence,
just as an English sentence, must state a complete thought.

Table 1.
English Mathematics
name given to an object of NOUN (person, place, thing) EXPRESSION
interest: Examples: Carol, Laguna, book 1
Examples: 5, 2 + 3,
2

a complete thought: SENTENCE SENTENCE

Examples: Examples:
The capital of Laguna is Sta. 3+4=7
Cruz. 3+4=8
Mathematics is easy.

In addition, just as English sentences have verbs, so do mathematical sentences. In the mathematical
sentence “3 + 4 = 7 “, the verb is “ = ”. If you read the sentence as “three plus four is equal to seven”, then
it’s easy to “hear” the verb. Indeed, the equal sign “ = ” is one of the most popular mathematical verbs.

CONVENTIONS IN THE
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

Languages have conventions. In English, for example, it is conventional to capitalize

proper names (like “Carol” and “mathematics”). This convention makes it easy for a reader to
distinguish between a common noun (like “carol”, a Christmas song) and a proper noun (like
“Carol”). Mathematics also has its conventions, which help readers distinguish between different
types of mathematical expressions.

The common symbol used for multiplication is “ x” but it can be mistakenly taken as the variable
x. There are also instances when the centered dot ( • ) is a shorthand to be used for multiplication specially
when variables are involved. If there will be no confusion, the symbol may be dropped.

Examples:
8 • y = 8y
a • b • c = abc
t • s • 9 = 9 st

Note: It is conventional to write the number first before the letters. If in case the letters are more than one,
you have to arrange the letters alphabetically.

Sets are usually denoted by uppercase letters like S. The symbols ℝ and ℕ represent the real
numbers and the set of natural numbers, respectively. A lowercase letter near the end of the alphabet like x,
y or z represents an element of the set of real numbers. A lowercase letter near the middle of the alphabet
particularly from i to n may represent an element of the set of integers.
 8 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

Sets, Functions, Relations and Binary Operations

SETS

A set is a collection of any object. It is a mathematical expression in which a name is given to

some collection of objects. Sets are usually represented by uppercase letters like S. For example,
the set of integers is represented by the symbol ℤ .

Elements or members of the set refer to the objects. If the numbers of elements in a set can be
enumerated, it called a finite set. Otherwise, infinite set. Also, a set that has no members is called
empty set which is denoted using   or  .

Examples: x S , this is read as “x is in S” which is a mathematical sentence

x  S, is a mathematical sentence which is read as “ x is not in S”.

List method is a way of describing the set in which the members are separated by commas and
enclosed in braces like set A =  4,8, 12. Here, we can express 4 as an element of set A by writing
4 A. However, if the members of the set are infinite or cannot be easily described using the list
method, then the set- builder notation can be used.

Example:
List method: A = {1,2,3,4}
Set-builder notation: B = {𝑥x  I and x > −3}

Cardinality of a set tells the number of elements of a set. For example, J = 2,5, here, set J contains
exactly two elements, so J has a cardinality of 2. Using the mathematical notation, it is represented
as n (J) = 2.

If two sets, A & B have precisely the same elements, then they are called equal sets. On the other
hand, if there is a one-to-one correspondence between two sets, they are called equivalent sets.

Example:
Equal sets: A =  d, e, f and B = f, d, e
Equivalent sets:
D = {Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon} and E = {Innovation, Love, Peace, Prosperity,
Unity}
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 9
LAGUNA

Note that a set is a subset of a given set if any one of the following three conditions holds: a.) it is
the given set, b.) it is the empty set, c.) each member of the set is also an element of the given set.

Example:
Let S = 1,2 3. All the subsets of S are listed below:
a. 1,2 3 (S itself)
b.   (the empty set)
c. 1, 2, 3 (all one-member subsets)
d. 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3 (all two-member set)

Thus, there are eight subsets in set S.

FUNCTIONS AND RELATION

A relation from x to y is a set of ordered pairs (x, y) such that to each x  X, there corresponds
AT LEAST ONE y  Y. Generally, a relation is a set of ordered pairs.

Example:
R = (1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6), (4, 7)

A function is a relation in which the element of the first set (domain) corresponds to only one
element of the second set (range). In addition, a function may also be many to one correspondence.

Example:
R = (1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6), (4, 7)
Domain:  1, 2, 3, 4
Range: 4, 5, 6, 7

therefore, the given set of ordered pairs is a FUNCTION.

Fig.2
10 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

BINARY OPERATIONS

A unary operation is an operation that has only one input, while binary operation has two
inputs. Addition ( + ), subtraction ( - ), multiplication ( x ), and the division (  ) are examples of
binary operations.

Example: unary operation: the square root function, √16 = 4

binary operation: the plus operation is a binary operation:
3+5 has two inputs ("3" and "5") to produce an output of 8

Properties of Addition and Multiplication as binary operations:

I. Closure Property
Addition: The sum of any two real numbers is also a real number.
Example: 12 + 34 = 46
Multiplication: The product of any two real numbers is also a real number.
Example: 7 x 20 =140

II. Commutative Property

Addition: For any two real numbers x and y, x + y = y + x
Example: 5 + 3 = 3 + 5
Multiplication: The product of any two real numbers is also a real number.
Example: 8 x 5 = 5 x 8
40 = 40
Note: Applying the commutative property of addition, we may write the equivalent
expression of 8m + 7n as: 8m +7n = 7n +8m.

III. Associative Property

Addition: For any two real numbers x ,y and z, x + (y + z) = (x +y) + z.
Example: 3 + (10 +9) = (3+10) + 9
3 + 19 = 13 + 9
22 = 22

Multiplication: For any two real numbers x, y, and z, x • (y• z) = (x •y) • z.

Example: 3 • (9 • 6) = (3 • 9)•6
3 • (54) = (27)• 6
162 = 162
Note: Using the associative property of multiplication, we may write the equivalent
expression of (42𝑐 3 ) ∙ (16 𝑎2 𝑏5 ) as : (42𝑐 3 ) ∙ (16 𝑎2 𝑏5 ) = (16 𝑎2 𝑏5 ) ∙ (42𝑐 3 ).
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 11
LAGUNA

IV. Identity Property

Addition: For any real number x, x + 0 = x. The number “0” is called the additive
identity.
Example: 78 + 0 = 78

Multiplication: For any real number x, x • 1 = x. The number “1” is called the
multiplicative identity.
Example: 98 • 1 = 98.

Note: Using the identity property, we may write an equivalent expression of a mathematical
expression by substituting an expression that is equal to the additive identity or
multiplicative identity.
3𝑐 7
Example 1: Write an equivalent expression of by multiplying 7 instead of 1.
5
3𝑐 3𝑐 7 21𝑐
= ∙ =
5 5 7 35
3𝑐 21𝑐
Therefore, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 are equivalent expressions.
5 35

Example 2: Write an equivalent expression of 9𝑎2 − 5 by adding (2m – 2m) instead of 0.

9𝑎2 − 5 = 9𝑎2 − 5 + 0
= 9𝑎2 − 5 + (2𝑚 − 2𝑚)
= 9𝑎2 + 2𝑚 − 5 − 2𝑚
Therefore, 9𝑎2 − 5 and 9𝑎2 + 2𝑚 − 5 − 2𝑚 are equivalent expressions.

V. Distributive Property of Multiplication Over Addition

For any two real numbers x, y and z, x (y+z) = xy +xz.

VI. Inverses of Binary Operations

Addition: For any real number x, x + (-x) = 0
Example: 100 + (-100) = 0
1
Multiplication: For any real number x, x • 𝑥 = 1
1
Example: 98 • 98 = 1
12 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

FOR ENRICHMENT
Read the section on The Language and Grammar of mathematics in the link below:
https://www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/~wtg10/grammar.pdf

CRITICAL THINKING
CRITICAL THINKING

Use the mathematical expression “x” in

three sentences:
1. one that is always true
Answer: __________________________

2. one that is always false, and

Answer: __________________________

3. one whose truth cannot be determined

without additional information.
Answer: ___________________________
 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 13
LAGUNA

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY
Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. Why is the language of mathematics precise?

Answer: _________________________________________

2. Why is the language of mathematics concise?

Answer: ________________________________________

3. Why is the language of mathematics powerful?

Answer: ________________________________________
14 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU LAGUNA

POSTTEST
Directions:
A. Classify each given equation as a mathematical expression (E) or a mathematical
sentence (S).

1. 1 + 2 = 5_____________________

2. (6-2) + 1 _____________________

3. 3x +11 = 35 ___________________

4. 53, 5 ____________________

5. 3, 5 ______________________

B. Using the answers in numbers 1-5, classify the truth value of each of the
mathematical sentences as a.) always true (T), b.) always false (F) or c.) sometimes
true/sometimes false (T/F).
1. 1 + 2 = 5_____________________

2. (6-2) + 1 _____________________

3. 3x +11 = 35 ___________________

4. 53, 5 ____________________

5. 3, 5 ______________________

C. Justify your answer to the question: Is  -1, 2, 3 a subset of the whole numbers?
Answer:
________________________________________________________________
 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD • NU 15
LAGUNA

ONLINE RESOURCES
VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/V6yixyiJcos

BOOK SECTION:
https://www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/~wtg10/grammar.pdf

REFERENCES

Auffman, R., Lockwood, J., Nation, R., Clegg, D. (2013) Mathematical Excursions (3rd ed).
Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning
https://www.onemathematicalcat.org/cat_book.htm