Gov. Alfonso D.

Tan College
Maloro, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental 7214
www.gadtc.edu.ph

GE MODMAT
Mathematics in the Modern World

Module 2
Mathematical Language and Symbols

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Name: Program/Year:

Instructor: Course Schedule:

 Course Description:
This course deals with nature of mathematics, appreciation of its practical,
intellectual, and aesthetic dimensions, and application of mathematical tools in
daily life.

Course Intended Learning Outcome:

At the end of this course, the students should be able to:
KNOWLEDGE
1) Discuss and argue about the nature of Mathematics, what it is, how it is
expressed, represented, and used;
2) Use different types of reasoning to justify statements and arguments made
about Mathematics and mathematical concepts;
3) Discuss the language and symbols of Mathematics;
SKILLS
4) Use a variety of statistical tools to process and manage numerical data;
5) Use Mathematics in other areas such as finance and business, codes and
coding schemes, networks, voting, health and medicine, environment, arts
and design, and recreation;
VALUES
6) Express appreciation of the nature and uses of Mathematics in everyday life;
and
7) Affirm honesty and integrity in the application of Mathematics to various
human endeavors.

Margin Icons:
While working through this MODULE you will notice the frequent
use of margin icons. These icons serve to “signpost” a particular piece of text, a
new task or change in activity; they have been included to help you to find your
way around this MODULE.
A complete icon set, is shown below. We suggest that you familiarize yourself
with the icons and their meaning before starting your study.

Overview Learning Lesson Activity Summary Assessment Reference

Outcomes Proper
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 Overview

Language is important to understand and express one’s ideas, feelings or

opinion. Language serves as the transmitter of information and knowledge. It helps
to construct social identity. Misunderstanding of one’s language leads to confusion
and misconceptions.

Mathematics has its own language. It was designed so we can write about
things and can do something (add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.) on those things.
And just like human languages, mathematics language consists of structural rules
governing the use of symbols
representing mathematical objects.
Unit Intended
Learning Outcomes Like any other languages,
mathematics has its own symbols and
At the end of this unit, you should be able syntax and rules characterized as
to: precise, concise, and powerful
1. Discuss the language, symbols and mathematical language. It
conventions of Mathematics; distinguishes expressions from
2. Explain the nature of Mathematics as
language;
sentences. It discusses the conventions
3. Perform operations on Mathematical in the mathematical language. It
expressions correctly; includes elementary logic, connectives,
4. Express the statement in other forms negation and variables with formality.
of logical statement; and
5. Evaluate the truth and falsity of the
statement.

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 Lesson 1 –Mathematical Language

Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students are expected to:
1. Explain the nature of Mathematics as language;
2. Identify Mathematics expressions and mathematical sentences; and
3. Perform operations on Mathematical expression correctly.

Language is a means of communication. If we know the language, then we

will be able to communicate with others. The same is true of Mathematics. Like
any language, Mathematics has its own symbols and rules. We need to learn and
understand the mathematical language in order to think, to comprehend, and to
communicate mathematically.

Mathematical Language is the system used by mathematicians to

communicate mathematical ideas among themselves.

Mathematics as a language has symbols to express a formula or to represent

a constant. It can designate numbers, variables, operations, functions, brackets,
punctuation, and grouping to help determine order of operations. It also has syntax
to make the expression well-formed to make the characters and symbols clear and
valid that do not violate the rules.

Characteristics of the Mathematical Language

a. Precise (able to make very fine distinctions or definitions)
Example: The use of mathematical symbol is only done based on its
meaning and purpose. Like,
+ means to add
− means to subtract
× means to multiply
÷ means to divide

b. Concise (able to say things briefly)

Example: The long English sentence can be shortened using mathematical
symbols. Like,
“Eight plus two equals ten” means 8 + 2 = 10.

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 c. Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease)
Example: The application of critical thinking and problem-solving skill
requires the comprehension, analysis and reasoning to obtain the correct
solution.

Expression Vs. Sentence

Mathematical expression is a finite combination of symbols that is well-

formed according to rules that depend on the context. An expression does not state
a complete thought; it does not make sense to ask if an expression is true or false.
The most common expression types are numbers, sets, and functions. For
example,
5, 2 + 3, 8� − 5, �−2
On the other hand, a mathematical sentence is the correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. Sentences have verbs. In the
mathematical sentence ‘3 + 4 = 7’, the verb is ‘=’. Other examples are,

1 + 2 = 3. True
1+2 = 4 False
�=2 Sometimes true/Sometimes false; it is
true when r is 2, and false otherwise.
�+3 = 3+� True; no matter what number is
chosen for y.

Mathematical Convention

A mathematical convention is a fact, name, notation, or usage which is

generally agreed upon by mathematicians. Mathematicians abide by conventions in
order to allow other mathematicians to understand what they write without
constantly having to redefine basic terms. The mathematical notation used for
formulas has its own grammar, not dependent on a specific natural language, but
shared internationally by mathematicians regardless of their mother tongues.

Perform Operations Correctly

In simplifying mathematical expressions, the following order of operations is one

critical point to observe. Order of operations is the hierarchy of mathematical
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operations. It is the set of rules that determines which operations should be done
before or after others. We commonly used PEMDAS as order of operation.

P Parentheses Simplify everything inside the parenthesis

first
E Exponents Simplify every exponential number
MD Multiplication and Division Multiply and divide whichever comes first,
from left to right.
AS Addition and Subtraction Add and subtract whichever comes first,
from left to right.

Examples:
1. Evaluate 11 − 5 × 2 − 3 + 1.

Solution:

P =6×2−3+1
E
MD = 12 − 3 + 1
AS =9+1
= 10✓

2. Evaluate 10 ÷ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 × 3.

Solution:

P
E
MD = 5 + 12 ÷ 2 × 3
=5+6×3
= 5 + 18
AS = 23✓

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3. Simplify 4 − 3[4 − 2 6 − 3 ] ÷ 2.

Solution:

P = 4 − 3[4 − 2 3 ] ÷ 2
= 4 − 3[4 − 6] ÷ 2
= 4 − 3[ − 2] ÷ 2
E
MD =4+6÷2
=4+3
AS = 7✓

4. Simplify 16 − 3(8 − 3)2 ÷ 5.

Solution:

P = 16 − 3(5)2 ÷ 5
E = 16 − 3(25) ÷ 5
MD = 16 − 75 ÷ 5
= 16 − 15
AS = 1✓

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 Lesson 2 – Mathematical Symbols

Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students are expected to:
1. Rewrite verbal phrases into mathematical expression and vice versa; and
2. Discuss the language, symbols and conventions of Mathematics.

The language of mathematics has an abundant vocabulary of specialist and

technical terms and also uses symbols instead of words which are essential to the
power of modern mathematics.

Some of the symbols commonly used in Mathematics are the following:

 The 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, …, 9
 Symbols for operations and sets: +, − , × , ÷ , ∩ , ∪ , ⊂ , ⊃ , etc.
 Symbols that “stand in” for values (variables): x, y, …
 Special symbols: �, = , < , ≤ , …
 Logic symbols: ∧ , ∨ , ∃, Σ, etc.
 Set notations: ℕ, ℤ, ℝ, ℚ, ℂ, etc.
Often letters are used in mathematical statement. And these letters have
special uses:

Examples What they usually

mean
Start of the alphabet: a, b, c, … constants (fixed values)
From i to n: i, j, k, l, m, n positive integers (for
counting)
End of the alphabet: …, x, y, z variables (unknowns)
https://www.mathsisfun.com/mathematics-language.html

Proper writing of mathematical sentences aids to the proper solving of

problems and proofs of theorems or conjectures.

For example,
Examples: Mathematical phrases (for examples)
addition The sum of two and a number

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 or
The total of two and a number
or
Two increased by a number
The difference of twelve and five
or
Twelve decreased by five
subtraction or
Twelve less five
or
Five less than twelve
The product of three and seven
or
Three times seven
multiplication
*Twice a number

division The quotient of a number and fifteen

fraction of a number One-fourth of a number

Additive inverse Opposite of a number

The fourth power of ten

exponentiation *The square of three

*The cube of a number

radical expression The square root of four

The multiplicative inverse of a number
multiplicative inverse or
The reciprocal of a number

More examples,

Mathematical Phrase to Verbal Phrase

Mathematical Verbal Phrase

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 Expression/Sentence
2 The difference of five and the product
5− � ∙6
3 of the two-thirds of a number and six
2� + 9 The sum of twice a number and nine.
1 The total of the square of a number and
�2 +
7 the reciprocal of seven.
8 −� + 9 The product of eight and the sum of the
opposite of a number and nine.
3� + 8 = 15 − 8�2 The sum of thrice a number and eight is
the same as the difference of fifteen,
and eight times the square of the
number.

Verbal Phrase to Mathematical Phrase

Verbal Phrase Mathematical Expression

The sum of the quotient of the 1
÷2 +4
reciprocal of a number and two, and �
four.
The product of the difference of (2� − 3)(4 + 3�)
twice a number and three, and the
sum of four and three times the
number.
The fifth power of the sum of seven 7+� 5

and a number.
The sum of the cubes of a number �3 + 23
and two.
The sum of the cube of a number �3 + 2
and two.

Since writing mathematically is essential then after knowing the

fundamental concepts, one needs to practice writing.

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 Lesson 3 –Elementary Logic

Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students are expected to:
1. Express the statements in other logical forms of logical statement; and
2. Evaluate the truth and falsity of the statement by constructing a truth table.

Logic is defined as the analysis of methods of reasoning, according to David

M. Kueker (2009). Logic is the basis of all mathematical reasoning, and of all
automated reasoning. Mathematical logic is the study of reasoning as used in
mathematics. It is a branch of mathematics with close connections to computers. It
includes both mathematical study of logic and the applications of formal logic to
other areas of mathematics.

A proposition (or statement) is a declarative sentence that is true or false but

not both. Propositional Variables such as p, q, r, s, t, etc. are used to represent
propositions.

Examples:
1. Manila is the capital of the Philippines. TRUE
2. Misamis University is in Tangub City. FALSE
3. Oroquieta City is part of Region X. TRUE
4. 1 + 1 = 2. TRUE
5. 2 + 2 = 3. FALSE

Not all sentences are considered propositions. For instance, consider the
following:
1. Where are you going?
2. Please give me some water.
3. Read the instructions carefully.
4. 5� + 1 = 2
5. � + 2� = 3�

Sentences 1, 2 & 3 are not propositions since they are not declarative
sentences; sentences 4 & 5 are not propositions because they are neither
trueor false; sentences 4&5 can be turned into a proposition if we assign
values to the variables. For example,
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 PROPOSITION - � + 1 = 2, �� � = 1. TRUE

Remark: If a proposition is true, then we say its truth value is true,and if a

proposition is false, we say its truth value is false.

Logical Connectives
Propositions may be joined by logical connectives. Logical Connective is a
word or symbol that joins two propositions to produce a new one. These
connectives are Conjunction, Disjunction, Implication, Biconditional, and
Negation.

Definitions:
Let p and q be propositions.

1. Conjunction
The conjunction of the propositions � and � is the compound statement “�
and �” denoted as � ∧ � which is true only when both � and � are true,
otherwise, it is false.

2. Disjunction
The disjunction of the propositions � and � is the compound statement “� or
�” denoted as � ∨ � which is false only when both � and � are false,
otherwise, it is true.

3. Implication (also named Conditional)

The implication of the propositions � and � is the compound statement “If �,
then �.” denoted as � → � which is false only when � is true and � is false.

4. Biconditional
The biconditional of the propositions � and � is the compound statement “�
if and only if �. ” denoted as � ↔ � which is true only when both � and �
have the same truth values.

5. Negation
The negation of the statement � is denoted by ∼ � where ∼ is the symbol
for “not”. The truth value of the negation is always the reverse of the truth
value of the original statement.

Name Connective Symbolic Form Statement

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 Conjunction And � ∧� � and �
Disjunction Or � ∨� � or �
Implication If…then… �→� If �, then �
Biconditional …if and only if… �↔� � if and only if �
Negation Not ∼� Not p

Example:
Translate the following into statement from logical expressions:
1. �: GADTC uses Microsoft Teams as platform for online classes.
�: GADTC adapts blended learning.

Negations
~�: GADTC does not use Microsoft Teams as platform for online classes.
~�: GADTC does not adapt blended learning.
Conjunction
� ∧ �: GADTC uses Microsoft Teams as platform for online classes and it
adapts blended learning.
Disjunction
� ∨ � : GADTC uses Microsoft Teams as platform for online classes or it
adapts blended learning.
Compound Statement
� →∼ �: If GADTC adapts blended learning then it does not use Microsoft
Teams as platform for online classes.

The truth value of propositions is presented in a truth table. A truth table

displays the relationships between the truth values of propositions.

� � �∧� �∨� ∼� �→� �↔�

T T T T F T T
T F F T F F F
F T F T T T F
F F F F T T T

A tautology is a statement which is always true.

Examples:
1. � ˅ (� ˄ �) ↔ (� ˅ �) ˄ (� ˅ �)
2. ~ (� ˅ �) ↔ ~� ˄ ~�
A contradiction is a statement which is always false.
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Example:
1. � ˅ ~� → � ˄ ~�

More Examples:
We will prove the statements from the examples above (tautology and
contradiction) using truth table.
1. � ↔ ~ (~�)
� ~� ~ (~�) � ↔ ~ (~�)
T F T T
F T F T
Therefore, � ↔ ~ (~�) is a tautology.

2. ~ (� ˅ �) ↔ ~� ˄ ~�
� � � ∨ � ~ (� ˅ �) ~� ~� ~� ˄ ~� ~ (� ˅ �)
↔ ~� ˄ ~�
T T T F F F F T
T F T F F T F T
F T T F T F F T
F F F T T T T T
Therefore, ~(� ˅ �) ↔ ~� ˄ ~� is a tautology.

3. � ˅ (� ˄ �) ↔ (� ˅ �) ˄ (� ˅ �)
� � � � ˄ � � ˅ (� ˄ �) � ˅ � � ˅ � (� ˅ �) ˄ (� ˅ �)�˅ (� ˄ �)
↔ (� ˅ �) ˄ (� ˅ �)
T T T T T T T T T
T T F F T T T T T
T F T F T T T T T
T F F F T T T T T
F T T T T T T T T
F T F F F T F F T
F F T F F F T F T
F F F F F F F F T
Therefore, � ˅ (� ˄ �) ↔ (� ˅ �) ˄ (� ˅ �) is a tautology.

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4. (� ˅ ~�) → (� ˄ ~�)
� � ~� ~� � ∨ ~� � ˄ ~� (� ˅ ~�) → (� ˄ ~�)
T T F F T F F
T F F T T F F
F T T F T F F
F F T T T F F
Therefore, (� ˅ ~�) → (� ˄ ~�) is a contradiction.

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 Module Summary

The following table summarizes essential concepts in this module.

Mathematical Language and Symbols

Languageis a means of communication. Mathematical Language is the system
used by mathematicians to communicate mathematical ideas among themselves.
The mathematical notation used for formulas has its own grammar, not
dependent on a specific natural language, but shared internationally by
mathematicians regardless of their mother tongues. We need to learn and
understand the mathematical language in order to think, to comprehend, and to
communicate mathematically.
The language of mathematics has an abundant vocabulary of specialist and
technical terms and also uses symbols instead of words which are essential to the
power of modern mathematics. Proper writing of mathematical sentences aids to
the proper solving of problems and proofs of theorems or conjectures.

Mathematical logic is the study of reasoning as used in mathematics. A

proposition (or statement) is a declarative sentence that is true or false but not
both. Logical Connective is a word or symbol that joins two propositions to
produce a new one. These connectives are Conjunction, Disjunction,
Implication, Biconditional, and Negation.

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 Reference

Aufmann, Richard N. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World, First Edition.

Rex Book Store, Inc.

Daligdig, Romeo M. (2019). Mathematics in the Modern World. LORIMAR

Publishing Inc.

Manuel-Guillermo, Raflyn, et al. (2019). Mathematics in the Modern World (A

Worktext). Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd.

Rodriguez, Mary Joy J., et al. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Nieme
Publishing House Co. Ltd.

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 GADTC VISION
GADTC is integral to Tangub City’s becoming a center for
learning and eco-cultural tourism by producing God-centered
citizens committed to be the light of the world.

GADTC MISSION
To provide opportunities for continuing education for faculty
and staff, providing upgraded facilities for quality and research-
based instruction to students towards community engagement
and linkages to industry.

Institute of Arts and Sciences VISION

The GADTC-Institute of Arts and Sciences is the Heart of the
institution in providing humanistic and scientific education
needed to produce holistic individuals who are globally-
competitive and value-oriented professionals appreciative to
both culture and innovations.

Institute of Arts and Sciences MISSION

The GADTC-Institute of Arts and Sciences shall produce
globally competitive and value-oriented professionals who
appreciate tradition and innovation and contribute to the
understanding of the diversity of cultures producing socio-
cultural and environment related researches to further serve
the institute and the community.
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