Instructional Material Development

(IMADE)
Mathematics in the Modern World

Created by: Stefhany G. David , LPT

Section 1. The Nature of Mathematics
II. Mathematical Language and Symbols
Overview
Objectives
Course Materials
Activities/Assessments
Overview
Like any language , Mathematics has its own
symbols , syntax and rules. The language of
Mathematics was designed so that we could write
about things like numbers, sets ,functions , etc.
The language of mathematics is the system used by
mathematicians to communicate mathematical
ideas among themselves, and is distinct from
natural languages in that it aims to communicate
abstract, logical ideas with precision and
unambiguity.
Objectives:
After successful completion of this module, you
should be able to:
 Discuss the language, symbols and conventions of
Mathematics
 Explain the nature of Mathematics as a language
 Perform operations on mathematical expressions
correctly
 Acknowledge that Mathematics is a useful
language
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1.Mathematical Language and Symbols
1.1 Mathematical Language
- is the system used to communicate mathematical
ideas
1.1.1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language
* It is non- temporal. There is no past future in
Math
* It is devoid of emotional content and it is
always precise.
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1.1.1.1 Precise
-able to make very fine distinction
Ex. The use of mathematical symbols is only base on
its meaning and purpose like
+ means add
- means subtract
x means multiply
÷ means divide
1.1.1.2 Concise
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1.1.1.2 Concise
say things briefly
Ex. The long English sentence can be shortened using
mathematical symbols like Eight plus two equals ten
which means 8+2 = 10
1.1.1.3Powerful
able to express complex thoughts with relative ease
Ex. The application of critical thinking and problem
solving skills requires the comprehension, analysis and
reason simple obtain the correct solutions.
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1.2 Operational Terms and Symbols
1.2.1 Mathematics Symbols
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ORDER IN OPERATIONS
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1.2.2.Mathematical Expressions
- consists of terms. This terms of mathematical
expressions is separated from other terms with
mathematics symbols.
Ex. 3 , -6 , 2x , 5y
1.2.3. Variables
- also called literal coefficient , represents the
unknown and make use of letters.
* the number with the variable is the numerical coefficient
Ex. 2x ,-5y ,10b , -4ac
1.2.4 Constant
- any single number
Ex. -1 ,0 ,1
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1.2.4. Mathematical Sentence
-combines two mathematical expressions using a
comparison operator
Ex. Equation : x + y =1
Inequality : 15x – 5 y < 3y
1.2.4.1 Open Sentence
-it uses variables, meaning that is not know
whether or not the mathematical sentence is true or false
Ex. 4 -3 = v , 23xy <3y
1.2.4.1 Close Sentence
it is a mathematical sentence which is known to
be true or false
Ex. 18(32) > 1655 , 25-25 =1
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1.3 Comparison of English Language to
Mathematical Language
 English Language  Mathematical Language
 Noun  Expression
 Peter , Binan , Car  8x , 4+3 , -6y
 Sentence  Sentence
 She is pretty.  4+5=9
 Sentential Form  Expression Form
 The sum of four and six is 10.  4 + 6 = 10
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1.4 Logical Connections
Logic – study of the methods and principles used to distinguish good from bad.
Logical Operator – symbols or words used to connect two or more sentences
1.4.1 Proposition
A proposition is a declarative statement which is either true or false. It is a
technique of knowledge representation in logical and mathematical form.
*Propositional logic (PL) is the simplest form of logic where all the statements are
made by propositions.
Ex. a) It is Sunday.
b) The Sun rises from West (False proposition)
c) 3+3= 7(False proposition)
d) 5 is a prime number.
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1.4.1 Proposition
Following are some basic facts about propositional logic:
 Propositional logic is also called Boolean logic as it works on 0 and 1.
 In propositional logic, we use symbolic variables to represent the logic, and we
can use any symbol for a representing a proposition, such A, B, C, P, Q, R, etc.
 Propositions can be either true or false, but it cannot be both.
 Propositional logic consists of an object, relations or function, and logical
connectives.
 These connectives are also called logical operators.
 The propositions and connectives are the basic elements of the propositional
logic.
 Connectives can be said as a logical operator which connects two sentences.
 A proposition formula which is always true is called tautology, and it is also called
a valid sentence.
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1.4.1 Proposition
Following are some basic facts about propositional logic:
 A proposition formula which is always false is called Contradiction.
 A proposition formula which has both true and false values is called
 Statements which are questions, commands, or opinions are not propositions such
as "Where is Robin", "How are you", "What is your name", are not propositions.
1.4.1.1 Syntax of propositional logic
The syntax of propositional logic defines the allowable sentences for the
knowledge representation.
1.4.1.2 Types of Propositions:
1.4.1.2.1Atomic Proposition
Atomic propositions are the simple propositions. It consists of a single
proposition symbol. These are the sentences which must be either true or
false.
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1.4.1.2.1Atomic Proposition
Ex. a) 2+2 is 4, it is an atomic proposition as it is a true fact.
b) "The Sun is cold" is also a proposition as it is a false fact.
1.4.1.2.2 Compound proposition
Compound propositions are constructed by combining simpler or atomic
propositions, using parenthesis and logical connectives.
Ex. a) "It is raining today, and street is wet."
b) "Ankit is a doctor, and his clinic is in Mumbai.“
1.4.2 Logical Connectives
Logical connectives are used to connect two simpler propositions or representing a
sentence logically. We can create compound propositions with the help of logical
connectives. There are mainly five connectives, which are given as follows:
1.4.2.1 Negation
A sentence such as ¬ P is called negation of P. A literal can be either Positive
literal or negative literal.
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1.4.2.2 Conjunction
A sentence which has ∧ connective such as, P ∧ Q is called a conjunction.
Example: Rohan is intelligent and hardworking. It can be written as,
P= Rohan is intelligent,
Q= Rohan is hardworking.
→ P∧ Q.
1.4.2.3 Disjunction
A sentence which has ∨ connective, such as P ∨ Q. is called disjunction, where P
and Q are the propositions.
Example: "Ritika is a doctor or Engineer",
Here P= Ritika is Doctor. Q= Ritika is Doctor,
so we can write it as P ∨ Q.
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1.4.2.4 Implication
A sentence such as P → Q, is called an implication. Implications are also known
as if-then rules. It can be represented as
Ex. If it is raining, then the street is wet.
Let P= It is raining, and Q= Street is wet,
so it is represented as P → Q
1.4.2.5 Biconditional
A sentence such as P⇔ Q is a Biconditional sentence
Ex. If I am breathing, then I am alive.
P= I am breathing, Q= I am alive,
it can be represented as P ⇔ Q.
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Following is the summarized table for Propositional Logic Connectives:

1.4.3 Truth Table

In propositional logic, we need to know the truth values of propositions in all
possible scenarios. We can combine all the possible combination with logical
connectives, and the representation of these combinations in a tabular format is
called Truth table. Following are the truth table for all logical connectives:
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 References for reading
 The Language of Mathematics
(from One Mathematics Cat ,
Please! By Carol Burns Fisher)
 (ii) The Language and Grammar of
Mathematics
 References for videos
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hwkns-pyPJ8
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=M7xYj7cAzog
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PCpS3i-T2wc
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=BouqkWYlfzg&t=3s
Activities /Assessments
 Individual Activities:
1. Exercises about PEMDAS/BOMDAS (see the last slide)
2. Exercises about Logical Connectives
*Make your own 3 samples for each kinds of Logical
Connectives

 Assessment
Online Quiz