LEARNING OBJECTIVES

✓ Discuss the language and symbols and

conventions of mathematics
✓ Explain the nature of mathematics as a
language
✓ Perform operations on mathematical
expression correctly
✓ Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful
language
 Language is ...
•a systematic means of communicating by
the use of sounds or conventional symbols

•the code humans use as a form of

expressing themselves and communicating
with others

•a system of words used in a particular

discipline
 COMPONENTS OF LANGUAGE
•A vocabulary of symbols or words
•A grammar consisting of rules on the use
of these symbols
•A community of people who use and
understand these symbols
•A range of meanings that can be
communicated with these symbols
Since all of the aforementioned components
are found in mathematics, thus it also
qualifies as a language.
 IDEAS ABOUT MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE

Mathematics is a language in itself

✓ Read and write mathematics texts

Mathematics as a language is clear and

objective
✓ Used to communicate ideas with
precision and conciseness
 IDEAS ABOUT MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE

Language conventions are necessary for it to

be understood by all
✓Universal language
 Characteristics of the Mathematical
Language

✓No past, present, or future tense in

math
✓Devoid of emotional content

✓Precise , Concise, Powerful

➢ absence of ambiguity
➢able to make very fine distinctions

English: The sun is very far from Earth.

Math: The sun is 93 million km from Earth.
➢ able to say things briefly

English: The sum of three and four is

seven
Math: 3 + 4 = 7
➢ express complex thoughts with relative ease

English: If you are a diligent student, then

you will pass in GE Math. Lisa is a
diligent student.
Therefore, Lisa will pass in GE Math
Math: 𝑝 → 𝑞Therefore, q → 𝑝
 NOTIONS IN THE
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

▪Synonyms
▪The importance of truth
▪Conventions and syntax
▪Definitions and undefined terms
▪Simplicity and elegance
English: happy – glad

Math: 5=6–1
10
5=
2
3
5=2 −3
English:
The word “cat” begins with the letter “k”.

Math: t+7=7+t
x=1
Examples
Definition of even number a:
a = 2n, n ∈ Z

Union of set A and set B

If A and B are sets, then
AB = 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ∈ 𝐵
Prove that the product of two even numbers
is even.
Solution:
Let a = 2n and b = 2m, where n,m ∈ Z
ab = (2n)(2m)
ab = 4nm
ab = 2(2nm)
ab = 2k where 2nm = k ∈ Z
Therefore, the product of two even numbers
is even.
• Like other languages, mathematics has
nouns, pronouns, verbs and sentences.
• It has its own vocabulary, grammar, syntax,
synonyms, negations, sentence structure,
paragraph structure, conventions and
abbreviations.
• Where mathematicians and scientists
have decided that particular symbols
will have particular meaning.
Mathematics uses many of symbols.
•Ten digits (0, 1,2,3..9)
•Symbols for operations ( +, -, x , ÷)
•Symbols that represent values (x, y, z, etc.)
•Many special symbols ( = , <, >, ≥, π, etc.)
Vocabulary vs. Sentences
Every language has its vocabulary (the
words) and its rules (syntax) for
combining these words into complete
thoughts (the sentences).
Nouns could be constants, such as numbers
or expressions
12, 24−13, 3 , f(x), pq

Pronouns could be variables like

𝑥 , 5𝑥−8; 2𝑥𝑦; −4𝑥
Verbs and Sentences

•A mathematical verb could be the following

=, > or ≥, , 

•A mathematical sentence can be formed by

putting together these parts:
3𝑥 + 7 = 24; 𝐴  𝐵
 Mathematical Expressions
•Does not state a complete thought; it does
not make sense to ask if an expression is
true or false.
10
5, 2+3, , 6−2+1, 1 +1+1+1+1
2
Mathematical Sentence
•similar of an English sentence
•Correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
that states a complete thought
•Makes sense to ask about the TRUTH of the
sentence
• Example: 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 7
 1+2=3 True

1+2=4 False

X=2 it is true when x is

2, and false
otherwise.

The sentence ‘x+3=3+x ’is (always) true, no

matter what number is chosen for x.
 Reading Mathematical
Expression or Sentences

Absolute value of x minus y

 Variables
used as a placeholder when you want to talk
about something but either
(1)you imagine that it has one or more
values but you don’t know what they are,
or
(2) you want whatever you say about it to be
equally true for all elements in a given set
 Examples What they usually mean
Start of the
a,b,c, . . . Constant (fixed numbers)
alphabet:
Positive integers (for
From I to n: I,j,k,l,m,n
counting)
End of the
. . . x,y, z Variables (unknowns)
alphabet

In the equation 𝑦=𝑎𝑥+𝑏

 Example:
Use variables to rewrite the following sentences
more formally.
The sum of the square of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is equal to the
square of 𝑐.
 Mental Exercises
Translate each of the following phrases into a
mathematical expression. Use as few variables as
possible.
1. The sum of a number and 10
2. The product of two numbers
3. One-half times the sum of two numbers
4. A man’s age 10 years ago
5. Five more than three times a number
6. The sum of three consecutive even integers
END