Republic of the Philippine

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

MODULE 2

MATHEMATICS AS LANGUAGE

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics is not just about patterns. It is also about understanding concepts using
symbols and rules peculiar to mathematics. Hence, mathematics is considered as a language.
The module starts by enumerating the characteristics of mathematics as a language, and
then a discussion on the different sets of symbols in math follows. Math is also compared to
English as a language. Basic concepts are likewise discussed. The module ends with a
discussion on mathematical logic.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the characteristics of mathematics as a language;

2. Apply the basic concepts in math in differentiating expressions and sentences and in
translating expressions using mathematical symbols; and
3. Construct truth table for negation, conjunction, disjunction, and conditional.

LEARNING RESOURCES

The learner is encouraged to have a copy of any textbook in Mathematics in the Modern
World.

The following books are references for the entire module.

Nocon, R., & Nocon, E. (2018). Essential Mathematics for the Modern World. C&E Publishing,
Inc.

Calingasan, R., Martin M. & Yambao, E. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. C&E
Publishing, Inc.

You also need an android phone or laptop with internet connectivity to be used for Fb-GC
updates, Google meet, and zoom.
 Republic of the Philippine
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

EXPLORE

Lesson 2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICS AS A LANGUAGE

Language consists of symbols that human used for communication. With this
definition, mathematics qualifies as a language. Mathematics, however, differs from spoken
languages, in at least five aspects. Jamison (2000) mentioned three of these characteristics
and Earnhart and Adina (2018) added two more.
1. Math is not temporary.
2. Math is devoid of emotional content. (It is so objective.)
3. Math is precise. (It lacks the ambiguities of ordinary speech.)
4. Math is concise. (It can be stated briefly.)
5. Math is powerful. (It can turn complex ideas into simpler forms.)

Lesson 2.2 MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE: SYMBOLS AND CONCEPTS

As a language, math has its own sets of symbols; you have encountered most of
these symbols way back in basic education. Earnhart & Adina (2018) made a summary of
these types of symbols.

SYMBOLS IN MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

Shown in Table 1 are the different symbols, with some description and examples.

Table 1: Different Symbols in Mathematics

Symbols Description Examples
Numbers symbols for quantity 6, 23, 49, etc.
(equivalent to “nouns” in
English
Operations symbols applied to at least +, -, ÷, x, √, !, etc.
one number to obtain
another number
Relations symbols for comparing <, >, ≤,≥,≠, =, etc.
quantities; they functions as
verb in math
Grouping symbols symbols for associating ( ), [ ], { }, | |,
groups of numbers and
operators

Variables symbols representing x, y, z, etc.

quantities; functions as
pronouns
Special symbols symbols that could stand for ∞, Ø, Ǝ, Ɐ, Ꞓ , etc.
some conditions in math
 Republic of the Philippine
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

COMPARING ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS

In mathematics, we usually distinguish between expression and sentence. An

expression in mathematics is a number or a combination of a number, an operation, a
grouping symbol, or variables that do not express a complete thought. A mathematical
sentence on the other hand, expresses a complete thought (usually involving relation
symbol) which can be regarded as true or false.

Burns(www.onemathematicalcat.org) made a distinction between English and

Mathematics. Shown in the Table 2 on the next page is their distinction.

Table 2: Distinction between English and Mathematics

English Mathematics
Name for an object of NOUN EXPRESSION
interest Examples: Andres (name), Examples: 20, 6+11, ¾
Manila (place), calculator
(thing)
A complete thought SENTENCE SENTENCE
Examples: The Philippines is Examples:
in Asia. The Philippines is an 7+10 = 17
archipelago. 25 + 4 ≠ 30

BASIC CONCEPTS

SETS
One of the undefined terms in mathematics is set. Although undefined, it can be
described as a collection of symbols or objects.
Example: 2 is prime.
In symbol: 2 Ꞓ P and not 2 = P.
Note: The symbol Ꞓ is read as “is an element of”.

FUNCTIONS
A function is a rule relating elements in two sets S1 and S2, where for every element
x in S1, there exists an element y in S2 related by a certain specified rule.
 The domain is the set of all elements in S1.
 The range is the set of all elements in S2 covered by the specified rule.
Examples:
The cube of 3 is 27.
The tangent of 180o is 0.
A = { (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6)} Domain= 1, 2, 3 Range: 2, 4, 6
C = { (5, 10), (6, 10), (7, 20)}
RELATIONS
A mathematical “object” that links two other “objects” is called a relation.
Examples: “equals”, “is an element of”
B= {(1, 3), (1, 5), (2, 6)} ordered pair: (1, 3) or (x, y) x=1, y=3
Domain- x values, Range= y values
BINARY OPERATIONS
A binary operation on set S is defined as a rule or function that selects two elements
in S and these two produces an element found in set S again.
Examples: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
 Republic of the Philippine
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

Two plus three equals five.

 Republic of the Philippine
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

TRANSLATING WORD PHRASES TO OPEN PHRASES

In translating word phrases (phrases expressed in ordinary language) to open
phrases (expressions using mathematical symbols), you should be familiar with the words or
phrases associated with the different operation. Listed in Table 3 are some of these words
and/or phrases.

Table 3: Mathematical Operations and Words/Phrases Associated with these Operations

OPERATIONS WORDS/PHRASES
Addition added to, more than, larger than, plus, sum, increased by
Subtraction decreased by, diminished by, less than, subtracted from, minus,
etc.
Multiplication times, twice, thrice, doubled, product, etc.
Division divided by, etc.

What other words or phrases can you think of for each operation?

Example 1: Translate to open phrase: six more than twice the number N.
Answer: 2N + 6
Example 2: Translate to open phrase: the sum when each of two numbers M and N is
squared.
Answer: M2 + N2
Example 3: Translate to open phrase: the result when two consecutive integers are
multiplied if N is the smaller.
Answer: N(N + 1)
Example 4: Translate to open phrase: Carlo’s age five years ago if he is N years old at present.
Answer: N – 5

LESSON 2.3: MATHEMATICAL LOGIC

PROPOSITION
A proposition, or a statement, is a declarative sentence which can be either true or false but
not both.
Examples:
a) 8 is a multiple of 4.
b) The sum of 8 and 12 is 20.
Note: For propositions, lowercase letters are used.
Example: s: 8 is an integer.
Nonexamples:
1. Enjoy the lovely weather! (This is not a proposition because this is not a declarative
sentence.)
2. Divide 8 by 4. (This, too, is not a proposition because this is not a declarative
sentence.)

TRUTH VALUES
This refers to the “truth” or “falsity” of a given proposition.
Note: T is for “Truth”; F for “Falsity”.
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CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

If s is true, then the truth value of s is TRUE and is written T.

Examples:
The statement “2 is an even number” is TRUE.
The statement “1/2 < 1/3” is FALSE.

MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
In mathematical logic, there are basic propositions and the symbols used for each.
Table 4 shows these propositions and symbols.

Table 4: Basic Propositional Logic and Their Symbolic Forms

Propositional Modifier/Connective Symbol Symbolic Form How It Is Read
Logic Involving
Propositions
Negation Not ~ ~s It is not true
that s. (s is
false.)
Conjunction And/But ^ s^t s and t
Disjunction Or v svt s or t
Conditional/ Implies(if…, then…) → s→t If s, then t.
Implication (s implies t)

NEGATION
~s is the negation of s. It is the statement arrived at by the opposite statement of s. Table 5
shows the truth table for negation.
Example:
Let s: 3 divides 9.
Then ~s: It is not the case that 3 divides 9. This is also possible: ~s: 3 does not divide 9.

Table 5: Negation(Truth Table)

s ~s
T F
F T

CONJUNCTION
The conjunction of the statements s and t, written s ^ t, is the statement that connects
statements s and t by “and”. Table 6 shows the truth table for conjunction.

Table 6: Conjunction (Truth Table)

s t s^t
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F
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CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

In the table, examine closely the truth values of a conjunction. When is the conjunction
TRUE?

Example:
Let s: 2 is even and t: 2 is composite.
The truth value of s is T, while the truth value of t is F.
Then s ^ t: 2 is both even and composite. Its truth value is F.

DISJUNCTION
The disjunction of the statements s and t, written s v t, is the statement resulting from
combining statements s and t using “or”. Table 7 shows the truth table for disjunction.

Table 7: Disjunction (Truth Table)

s t svt
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F

In the table, examine closely the truth values of a disjunction. When is the disjunction FALSE?

Example: Let s: A square is a polygon and t: A quadrilateral is a rectangle.

The truth value of s is T, while the truth value of t is F.
Then s v t: A square is a polygon or a quadrilateral is a rectangle. Its truth value is
T.

Note: Disjunctions in ordinary speech can be ambiguous.

s: I like my coffee with milk.
t: I like my coffee without milk.

Then s v t: I like my coffee with milk or I like my coffee

without milk.
Is s v t the same as: “I like my coffee with or without milk”?
Question: Would you like your coffee with or without milk?
Answer: Yes please!

CONDITIONAL/IMPLICATION
The statement “if s, then t” is called an implication, or a conditional, and is written s → t.
Table 8 shows the truth table for implication.
Note: In the statement s → t, s is referred to as the hypothesis and t as the conclusion.

Table 8: Implication (Truth Table)

s t s→t
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
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CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Pasacao, Camarines Sur

Look at the table. When is the conditional FALSE?

Example:
Let s: A square is a polygon; and
t: A quadrilateral is a rectangle.
The truth value of s is T, while the truth value of t is F.
Then s → t: If a square is a polygon, then a quadrilateral is a rectangle.
Its truth value is F.

DISCUSSION BOARD

Let us find out how much you have learned in this lesson. This is a non-graded activity.

A. In not more than five sentences, discuss one of the characteristics of mathematics as a
language. Provide examples if needed.

POST-COMPETENCY CHEKLIST

Let us now evaluate what you have learned for this lesson. This time, the activity is graded.

Learning Activity 2.1