MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

Definition: The mathematical language is the system used to communicate mathematical

ideas.

I. Expression versus Sentences

An expression (or mathematical expression or phrase) is a finite combination of

symbols that is well defined according to rules that depend on the context. The symbols can
designate numbers, variables, operations, functions, brackets, punctuations, and groupings to
help determine order of operations, and other aspects of mathematical syntax. This does not
contain a complete thought, and it cannot be determined if it is true or false.

A sentence ( or mathematical sentence or equation) makes a statement about two

expressions, either using numbers, variables, or a combination of both. A mathematical
sentence can also use symbols or words like equals, greater than, or less than. The sentence
gives a complete thought and can be determined whether it’s true, false, sometimes
true/sometimes false.

Mathematical Notations (usually letters from various alphabets) – they are variables which
represent any number

English Alphabet a, b, c, ……x, y, z

A, B, C, ….
Greek letters ∝ (alpha) , β (beta) , γ (gamma), etc.
subscripts x1 , x2 , ….
superscipts x2 , xn, …

Spoken mathematical language contain symbolic verb

Symbols English Word

= equal
< Less than
> Greater than
≤ Less than or equal
≥ Greater than or equal
+ Addition
- Subtraction
x Multiplication
÷ Division
∈ element
∀ For all
∃ There exists
→ implies
↔ If and only if
∞ infinity
≈ approximately
∴ therefore
Illustrations:

Expressions Explanation Mathematical Explanation

Sentence or Equation
1. A mathematical An equation that
expression only tells you that two
2x - y but does not 4x + 5 = 9 expressions are
give a complete equal
thought
2. If a “What” is 5 green apples are If upon reading the
4 green apples asked in an expression gives
sweet.
3. 7x expression then 7x < 1 you a complete
it is only a thought then it is a
4. 9 9>6
phrase mathematical
5. sentence or
The girl The girl is beautiful.
equation.

Supplementary Exercise 1:

Determine which of the following is an expression or a sentence.

1. 2x2 + 3 ________________
2. x + 1 < 4 ________________
3. 5x + 3y = 2 ________________
4. Today is a sunny day. ________________
5. busy day ________________
6. Go! ________________
7. What is your name? ________________
8. (4x + 6) / 5 ________________
9. Eleven minus x is equal to 9. ________________
10. Peter’s age is twice as his brother. _______________

II. Basic Concepts

A. Sets
A set is a well-defined collection of objects; the objects are called elements or
members of the set. The symbol ∈ is used to denote that an object is an element of a set, and
the symbol ∉ denotes that an object is not an element of a set.

A set is denoted by capital letters of the alphabet (A, B, C, …) and the elements of the
set are enumerated separated by commas or given as a rule which are enclosed in
parentheses.

Examples:

Set Read as Method

A = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 }
Set A is a set containing Roster Method or
the numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Tabulation Method (when
the elements of a set are
enumerated and separated
by comma)
 B = { x ŀ x is a set of vowel Set B is the of all x such Rule Method or Set Builder
letters} that x is a set of vowel Method ( this is used to
letters. describe the elements or
members of the set)
C = { w, o, d } Set C is a set containing
the letters in the word
“wood”.
Notice that the letter “o” is Roster Method or
not repeated since the Tabulation Method
elements in a set should
be distinct meaning it is
only written once.
D = { x ŀ x is a positive integer Set D is the set of all x
less than 10} such that x is a positive
Rule Method or Set Builder
integer less than 10.
Method
Thus, the elements are 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9

From the examples,

1∈A 1 is an element of set A or 1 belongs to set A

a∈B a is an element of set B or a belongs to set B
c ∉ C c is not an element of set C or c does not belong to set C
10 ∉ D 10 is not an element of set D or 10 does not belong to set D

Supplementary Exercise 2:

A. Indicate which of the following verbal descriptions

1. The provinces of the Philippines.
2. The list of courses offered in PUP Open University.
3. The list of honest senators in the Philippines Senate.
4. The list of intelligent monkeys in Manila Zoo.
5. The list of counting numbers from 1 to 5.

B. List the elements of the following sets. Re-write the set in Roster Method.
1. A = { x ŀ x is a letter in the word mathematics }
2. B={xŀx+2=5}
3. G is the set of letters from a to e .
4. E is the set of months with 31 days.
5. J = { x ŀ x ∈ integers between 1 to 8 }

C. Write the following sets in Rule Method.

1. A = { 2, 4, 6, …..}
2. E = { autumn, winter, summer, fall}
3. J = { Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon}
4. G = { DepEd, TESDA, CHED}
5. H = { Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday }

D. Let A = { a, b, c, d, e}. Identify which of the following are True and which are False.
1. A is a set in Rule Method.
2. e is not an element of set A.
3. There are 5 elements in set A.
4. d∈A
5. { c, e } ∈ A

Assignment No. 3

Answer the Supplementary Exercises 1 & 2.

Write in Short Bond Paper but must be handwritten.
Use the same format of Assign. # 2.

Date of Submission: March 7, 2020.