Module 3 Math Language

Math in the
MATH LANGUAGE & SYMBOLS

Modern World
Module Objective:
At the end of this module, the students are expected to use mathematical language appropriately in speaking
and writing mathematical ideas.
Learning Approaches: Google classroom, independent study
Introduction
In writing and speaking the language of mathematics, it is important that we know some basic mathematical
terms because we will most likely encounter mathematical sentences with complicated structures. One very
important element for a student to succeed in mathematics is the ability to communicate effectively in
mathematics. Students should be given opportunities to understand the math language in the classroom so that
they can correctly read and write mathematical symbols which they can use effectively to solve math problems.
Most students have problems in understanding mathematical concepts not because they are difficult but
because the ideas are presented in the language of math. Thus, familiarization with the mathematical language
and symbols is important.
The language of mathematics uses symbols to communicate mathematical ideas. The symbolic language of
mathematics is a distinct, special-purpose language. Just like any ordinary language, mathematics also has
syntax and structure which can be categorized into 5 forms.
1. Numbers are the very first symbols that can be used to represent quantity.
2. Operation symbols like , ∧, and ∨ can act as connectives in a mathematical sentence.
3. Relation symbols such are used for comparison in the mathematical language.
4. Grouping symbols such as are used to associate groups of numbers and operators.
5. Variables are letters that represent quantities.
A mathematical expression refers to objects of interest acting as the subject in the ordinary language.
Mathematical expressions use math symbols instead of words. For example, “the sum of five and a number ”
can be written as ; “a number y decreased by 2” can be written as ; and “twice a number increased
by 5” can be written as
Another examples of mathematical expressions: . All do not state complete thoughts.
A sentence with a complete thought is a mathematical sentence which can be regarded as true or false. For
example: is a mathematical sentence. It is true only for
Basic Concepts of Mathematical Language
The mathematical language is full of terminologies and mathematical notations, and has very precise and
powerful meaning. Notations are very important in understanding the mathematical language which may
include the use of sets, relations, and functions.
Where to learn more…

Module 3
1. Math in the Modern World (Richard T. Earnhart & Edgar M. Adina)
2. Math in the Modern World (Richard N. Aufmann, et al)
3. Math in Our World (Dave Sobecki)
Math in the
Modern World
Sets
A set is a well-defined distinct collection of objects called elements of the set. These objects can be numbers,
letters, colors, animals, or just about anything else you can imagine. The symbol ∈ is used to denote that an
object is an element of a set and the symbol ∉ denotes that an object is not an element of a set. If an object a
belongs to a particular set S then write ∈ . If a is not an element of the set then write ∉
A set can be defined by describing the contents or by listing the elements of the set enclosed by braces { }.
Examples:
Some examples of sets defined by describing the contents:

a) The set of all even numbers
b) The set of all Math in the Modern World books
c) The set of all colors of the rainbow
Some examples of sets defined by listing the elements of the set:
a) {1, 3, 9, 12}
b) {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple}
Some sets are designated using a variable
a)
A set simply specifies the contents; order is not important.

The set represented by {1, 2, 3} is equivalent to the set {3, 1, 2}.
Notation
The symbol ∈ “ l t of” th y ol ∉ “ ot l t of”
A = { x | x is a vowel letter}
A = {a, e, i, o, u}
∈A
∈A
∉A
A set that contains no elements, { } is called the empty set or null set, and is notated as ∅.
Methods of Writing Sets:
1. Roster Method (List Method) – The elements of the set are enumerated, separated by a comma and
enclosed in braces.
Ex: A = {a, e, i, o, u}
B = {Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Z o g S g y …
2. Rule Method (Set Builder Notation) – A descriptive phrase is used to describe the elements of the set. It
uses a variable, braces, and a vertical bar ( | wh ch “such that”

Module 3
Math in the
Modern World
Ex:
3. Descriptive Method – uses a short verbal statement to describe the set.

Ex A is a set of vowel letters.
B is a set of provinces in Mindanao.
Remarks: It is more convenient to represent a set in rule method or descriptive method rather than in
roster method especially if the set contains a big number of elements or with infinite number of
elements.
Ex: Set B is a set of provinces in Mindanao.
B = {Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga l S Z o g S g y …
Set C is a set of integers.

… …
Certain sets of numbers are so frequently referred to that they are given special symbolic names.
Symbol Set
ℝ set of all real numbers
ℤ set of all integers
ℚ set of all rational numbers, or quotients of integers
ℚ’ set of irrational numbers
ℕ set of natural numbers
ℙ set of prime numbers
ℙ’ set of composite numbers
set of whole numbers
ℂ set of complex numbers
Cardinality of a Set
The cardinal number of a set is the number of elements in the set. The cardinality of set A is denoted by .
Examples:
1. A = {a, e, i, o, u}
, because there are 5 elements in the set, a, e, i, o, and u.
2. B = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
3. C = {1, }

Module 3
Math in the
Modern World
Finite & Infinite Sets
A Finite Set is a set whose elements are limited or countable and the last element can be identified. A set that
has no elements is also called finite.
Ex: C = { x | x is a positive integer less than 10}
D = { x | x is a real number and }
A = set of vowel letters in the alphabet
An Infinite Set is a set whose elements are unlimited or uncountable, and the last element cannot be specified.
Ex: G = The set of whole numbers
H = The set of molecules on earth
I … …
J = { x | x is a counting number }
Unit Set, Empty Set, & Universal Set
A Unit Set is a set with only one element. It is also called singleton.
Ex: J = { x | x is a whole number greater than 1 but less than 3}
A Empty Set is a unique set with no elements. It is also called Null Set and denoted by a symbol ∅ or { }.
Ex: K = { x | x is an integer less than 2 but greater than 1 }
L = { x | x is a real number that satisfies }
Universal Set [U ] is a fixed set containing all the elements we are interested in. this would have to be defined by
the context..
a) If we were discussing searching for books, the universal set might be all the books in the library.
b) If we were grouping your Facebook friends, the universal set would be all your Facebook friends.
c) If you were working with sets of numbers, the universal set might be all whole numbers, all integers, or all
real numbers
U …
A co pl t A’ is relative to the universal set.
So A’ co t ll th l t th l t th t ot A
Ex G U&A …
∴ A’ …

Module 3
Math in the
Modern World
Suppose the universal set is U = all whole numbers from 1 to 9.
If A = {1, 2, 4}, then
A’ = {3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}.
Subset
A subset of a set A is another set (B) that contains only elements from the set A, written as B⊂A .
Ex: Suppose & .

Thus, ⊂ .
Trivial subsets: Every set is a subset of itself.

The empty set is a subset of every set.
Proper Subset
Let A and B be sets.
A p op t of B A⊂B f o ly f y l t of A B t th tl to l t of B
that is not in A. The symbol ⊄denotes that it is not a proper subset.
Ex: Suppose A c ,
B c
Th A⊂B A⊂ B⊄
Superset
A p t of B w tt A⊃B f o ly f A co t B th t ll l t of A l o l t
of B I th x pl o B⊃
Equal Sets
A and B are equal sets, written as A B, if and only if, every element of A is in B and every element of B is in A.
In other words, two set A and B are equal if they have exactly the same elements.
Ex: Suppose B c
c
Since sets B and C have identical elements,
Hence, B .

Module 3
Math in the
Modern World
Equivalent Sets
A and B are equivalent sets, written as A B, if and only if, sets A and B have the same number of elements.
Ex: Suppose A
B o
Since A and B have the same number of elements,
therefore, A B
Remarks: All equal sets are equivalent sets, but not all equivalent sets are equal sets.
Set Operations
1. Set Union
The union of two sets A and B, symbolized by , is the set of all elements that are in either set A or
set B (or both).
For example, if and

,
then the union
Even though 5 and 20 are in both sets, we list them only once in the union.
2. Set Intersection
The intersection of two sets A and B, symbolized by A ∩ B, is the set of all elements that are in both
sets.
For example, if and
,
then the intersection , since 14 and 15 are the only elements that are common to
both sets.
3. Set Difference
The difference of set A and set B is the set of elements in set A that are not in set B.
if and
,
then

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Math in the

MATH LANGUAGE & SYMBOLS

Learning Approaches: Google classroom, independent study

Another examples of mathematical expressions: . All do not state complete thoughts.

Basic Concepts of Mathematical Language

Where to learn more…

Some examples of sets defined by describing the contents:

A set simply specifies the contents; order is not important.

Methods of Writing Sets:

Where to learn more…

3. Descriptive Method – uses a short verbal statement to describe the set.

Set C is a set of integers.

Where to learn more…

Finite & Infinite Sets

Ex: C = { x | x is a positive integer less than 10}

D = { x | x is a real number and }

A = set of vowel letters in the alphabet

Ex: G = The set of whole numbers

H = The set of molecules on earth

Unit Set, Empty Set, & Universal Set

Ex: J = { x | x is a whole number greater than 1 but less than 3}

Ex: K = { x | x is an integer less than 2 but greater than 1 }

L = { x | x is a real number that satisfies }

A co pl t A’ is relative to the universal set.

Where to learn more…

Suppose the universal set is U = all whole numbers from 1 to 9.

If A = {1, 2, 4}, then

Ex: Suppose & .

Trivial subsets: Every set is a subset of itself.

Let A and B be sets.

Let A and B be sets.

Where to learn more…

Let A and B be sets.

For example, if and

Where to learn more…

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