Part 1 Mathematical Language and Symbols

Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols
Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and

Symbols
Mathematics in the Modern World
Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr.
Mathematics Area
De La Salle Lipa
S.Y. 2018 - 2019
Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Contents
1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language
2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Mathematical Expressions and Sentences
Synonyms: Different Names for the Same Object
Ideas Regarding Sentences
Vocabulary and Grammar of the Language of
Mathematics

Characteristics of Mathematical Language
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will
1 discuss the language and symbols, and conventions of
mathematics;
2 construct mathematical expressions or equations from
given statements;
3 group different mathematical symbols based on their use;
and
4 construct mathematical expressions representing English
statements and vice-versa.


Mathematical language is precise. Mathematics able
to make very fine distinctions or definitions among a set
of mathematical symbols.
Mathematical language is concise. Mathematicians
can express otherwise ling expositions or sentences briefly
using the language of mathematics.
Mathematical language is powerful. One can express
complex thoughts with relative ease.

Expressions vs. Sentences
Next:

Mathematics

Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its

rules for combining these words into complete thoughts
(the sentence).
In English, nouns are used to name things we want to
talk about (like people, place, and things; whereas
sentences are used to state complete thoughts. A typical
English sentence has at least one noun, and at least one
verb.
For example, consider the sentence
Carol loves mathematics.
Here, ‘Carol’ and ‘mathematics’ are nouns; ‘loves’ is a verb.

The mathematical analogue of a ‘noun’ will be called an

expression. Thus, an expression is a name given to a
mathematical object of interest. 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.

Definition
An expression is the mathematical analogue of an
English noun; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical
symbols used to represent a mathematical object of interest.
An expression does NOT state a complete thought.
Definition
A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English
sentence; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
that states a complete thought.

Example
Classify each entry as mathematical expression (EXP), or a
mathematical sentence (SEN)
1 1+2=3
1
2
2
3 x−1
4 x−1=3
5 1+2+3
6 x÷3
7 x÷3=2
8 x − 2 = 3(x + 5)

Next:

Mathematics

Numbers have lots of different names. This idea is

extremely important in mathematics. English has the same
concepts: synonyms are words that have the same (or nearly
the same) meaning. However, this ‘same object, different
name’ idea plays a much more fundamental role in
mathematics than in English.
For example, the expressions
5, 2 + 3, 10 ÷ 2, (6 − 2) + 1, 1+1+1+1+1
all look different, but are all just different names for the same
number.

Example
Do as indicated:
1 Give several synonyms for the English word “similarity”.
2 The number “three” has lots of different names. Give

names satisfying the following properties. There may be
more than one correct answer.
a the “standard” name
b a name using a plus sign (+)
c a name using a minus sign (−)
d a name using a division sign (÷)

Next:

Mathematics

Some ideas regarding sentences are explored.

1Sentence have verbs
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.
2Truth of sentences
Sentences can be true or false. The notion of truth (i.e.,
the property of being true or false) is of fundamental
importance in the mathematical language.

Example
Do as indicated:
1 Circle the verbs in the following sentences:
a The capital of the Philippines is Manila.
b The capital of Indonesia is Manila.
c 3+4=7
d 4+3=8
2 TRUE or FALSE:
a The capital of the Philippines is Manila.
b The capital of Indonesia is Manila.
c 3+4=7
d 4+3=8

Exercise
If possible, classify the entries in the list below as:
an English noun, or a mathematical expression
an English sentence, or a mathematical sentence
Try to fill in the blanks. In each sentence (English or
mathematical), encircle the verb.
1 cat
2 2
3 The word ‘cat’ begins with the letter ‘k’.
4 1+2=4
5 5−3
6 5−3=2
7 The cat is black.
8 x
Exercise
If possible, classify the entries in the list below as:
an English noun, or a matheatical expression
an English sentence, or a mathematical sentence
Try to fill in the blanks. In each sentence (English or
mathematical), encircle the verb.
9 x=1
10 x − 1 = 0
11 t + 3
12 t + 3 = 3 + t
13 This sentence is false.
14 x + 0 = x
15 1 · x = x
16 Hat sat bat

Vocabulary and Grammar of the Language of Mathematics
Next:

Mathematics

We can easily write about things, sets, functions, and

some others using the language of mathematics.
The following summarizes the commonly used
vocabulary and grammatical rules in mathematics.

Language of Mathematics
Subtraction Key Multiplication Key

Addition Key Words Division Key Words Equals Key Words
Words Words
sum less (than) multiplied divided (evenly) is/are
plus minus times quotient the same as
decrease or decreased
add total split equals
by
and more than of each equal to
total (of) difference per cut result is
increased by * reduce as much equal pieces
more (than) lost twice average
raise left by every
combined remain (der) (ing) area out of
in all fell volume ratio
altogether dropped product shared
additional change apiece how many times
together nearer doubled shared equally
both farther tripled per
added to how much more part
how much less
diminished
grow down
increase *
subtract from

Exercise
Directions. Translate each of the following English phrases
into a mathematical expressions
1 The sum of a number and 10
2 The product of two numbers
3 A number less 8
4 Twice a number
5 A number plus 6
6 Four times the square of a number
7 Five more than three times a number
8 The square of the sum of 5 and a number
9 A man’s age 10 years ago
10 The area of a rectangle whose length is 7 more than the
width

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Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr.

S.Y. 2018 - 2019

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

The mathematical analogue of a ‘noun’ will be called an

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Numbers have lots of different names. This idea is

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

2 The number “three” has lots of different names. Give

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Some ideas regarding sentences are explored.

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

13 This sentence is false.

16 Hat sat bat

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2 Expressions vs. Sentences

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

We can easily write about things, sets, functions, and

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Subtraction Key Multiplication Key

Roberto M. Marcelo, Jr. <roberto.marcelo.jr@dlsl.edu.ph> Chapter 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

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