OUTLINE

Module 2. Mathematical Language and Symbols

2.1 Conventions of mathematical language:

Core idea: Like any language, mathematics has its own symbols,
syntax, structure and rules.

Characteristics of mathematical language:

precise, concise, and powerful
Mathematical expressions and mathematical sentences

2.2 Sets

2.3 Functions and Relations

2.4 Binary Operations

2.5 Elementary logic
“Mathematics cannot be learned
without being understood . . .
but of acquiring a capacity for
What’s
systematic thought.” happening
here ?
2.4 Binary Operations

•The word “binary” means composed of two pieces.

•A binary operation on a set is a rule or calculation

involving two elements of the set ♥
to produce another element of the set. ♥

•The most widely known binary operations are those learned

elementary school: addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division on various sets of numbers.
EX 2. Let binary operation, , be defined on the set
{1, 2, 3, 4} as follows:

1 2 3 4
a) What is 2  3 ? 32? 1 4 3 2 1
What is 4  2 ? 24? 2 3 1 4 2
3 2 4 1 3
b) Is  commutative?
4 1 2 3 4

c) What is the identity element for the operation  ?

d) Is  associative for these values?

“Identity element”
a b c d

GIVEN the binary table, a a b c d

what is the identity b b c d a
element? c c d a b
d d a b c

Checking for the identity element:

You will know the identity element
when you see it, because ALL of
the values in its row OR column
are the SAME as the row or
column headings.
On Identity Elements
(Does identity element exist?)

3.  a b c 4.  0 1 2 3

a a c b 0 0 1 2 3
b a b b 1 1 2 3 0
c b a c 2 2 3 0 1
3 3 0 1 2
 }

1 2 3
1
2
3
ACTIVITY
Assignment: DO #s 4 - 6
 Coincidence or Not ???
IF…
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

EQUALS …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
THEN …
K+N+O+W+L+E+D+G+E = 96 %
H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K = 98 %
BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, BUT FALL SHORT OF 100 %
BUT
A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E = 100 %
Answers (#s 1-3)