Mathematical Language & Symbols

Mathematics is a symbolic language. Some of the symbols you may encounter as you read
Math books are the following:
∑ the sum of
∃ there exists
∀ for every (for any)
∈ element of (or member of)
∉ not an element of (or not a member of)
⊆ subset of
→ if…, then
↔ if and only if
R set of real numbers
N set of natural numbers
Z set of integers
Q set of rational numbers
∞ infinity

Translate each mathematical expression into words.

1)∀x ∈R, x² ≥ 0 For any real number of x, its square is greater than or
equal to 0.
2) ∃m , n ∈Z , m –n ≤ m + n There exists integers of m and n such that m minus n is less than
or equal to m plus n.
3) 10 ∈ { 2n , n ∈N } Ten is an even number.
4) 10 = 2k , k ∈N Ten is equal to twice the value of k such that k is an element of a
set of
a set of natural numbers.
Mathematical Statements
A mathematical statement is a declarative sentence that is either true or false but not both.
Examples:
1. Five is less than eight. mathematical statement – True
2. π is a cool number. not a mathematical statement
3. (2 + 4)2= 22 + 42 mathematical statement – False
4. x > 5 not a mathematical statement

Which of the following sentences are statements?

1) x + 4 = 7 NOT A MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT
2) Algebra is a difficult subject. NOT A MATHEMATICAL
STATEMENT
3) How many sides does a pentagon have? NOT A MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT
4) Natural numbers are greater than 0. MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT
(TRUE)
5) 0 ÷0 = 0 MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT (FALSE)
6) Solve the equation x² = 1. NOT A MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT

Types of Mathematical Statements

1. UNIVERSAL STATEMENT
• This type of statement says that a certain property is true for all elements in a set.
• It contains universal quantifiers such as “for all” or “for every”.
Examples:
• All positive numbers are greater than 0.
• For any real number x, its square is greater than or equal to 0.
2. EXISTENTIAL STATEMENT
• This type of statement says that if one thing is true then some other thing also has to be
true.
• It contains existential quantifiers such as “there exists” or “for some”.
Examples:
• There is a prime number that is even.
 • There exists an integer z, such that z²=25.
3. CONDITIONAL STATEMENT
• This type of statement says that given a property that may or may not be true, there is at
least one thing for which the property is true.
Examples:
• If 378 is divisible by 18, then 378 is divisible by 6.
• If a triangle is equilateral, then all three of its sides are equal.

What type of mathematical statement is each statement?

1. Every real number has an inverse. UNIVERSAL STATEMENT
2. There exist integers a, b, and c such that a²+b² = c². EXISTENTIAL STATEMENT
3. All squares are parallelograms. UNIVERSAL STATEMENT
4. Some polygons have three sides. EXISTENTIAL STATEMENT
5. If 10 > 7, then 10 + x> 7 + x CONDITIONAL
STATEMENT
6. Three points are coplanar if they all lie in the same plane. CONDITIONAL
STATEMENT

Conditional Statements (pq) or “if p, then q”

 A conditional statement takes the form “If p, then q” where p is the hypothesis while q is
the conclusion. It also called an implication.
 The hypothesis is the part p of a conditional statement following the word if.
 The conclusion is the part q of a conditional statement following the word then.
 In addition, the statement “If p, then q” is commonly written as the statement “p implies
q” which is expressed symbolically as p → q.
 Given an if-then statement "if p , then q ," we can create three related statements.

The Converse of a Conditional Statement (qp)

 For a given conditional statement p → q, we can write the converse statement by
interchanging or swapping the roles of the hypothesis and conclusion of the original
conditional statement. Therefore, the converse is the implication q → p.
  Notice, the hypothesis p of the conditional statement becomes the conclusion of the
converse. On the other hand, the conclusion of the conditional statement q becomes the
hypothesis of the converse.

The Inverse of a Conditional Statement (~p → ~q)

 For a given conditional statement p → q, the inverse statement is created by negating
both the hypothesis and conclusion of the original conditional statement. Thus, the
inverse is the implication ~p → ~q.
 The symbol ~p is read as “not p” while ~q is read as “not q”.

The Contrapositive of a Conditional Statement (~q → ~p)

 For a given conditional statement p → q, we compose the contrapositive statement by
interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion of the inverse of the same conditional
statement.
 Therefore, the contrapositive of the conditional ~q → ~p

Example:

Conditional Statement

If two angles are congruent, then they have the same measure.

Converse:
If two angles have the same measure, then they are congruent.

Inverse:
If two angles are not congruent, then they do not have the same measure.

Contrapositive:
If two angles do not have the same measure, then they are not congruent.

Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of the given conditional statement.
1. Conditional Statement: If a quadrilateral is a rectangle, then it has two pairs of parallel
sides.
Converse: If a quadrilateral has two pairs of parallel sides, then it is a rectangle.
Inverse: If a quadrilateral is not a rectangle, then it does not have two pairs of parallel sides.
Contrapositive: If a quadrilateral does not have two pairs of parallel sides, then it is not a
rectangle.
2. Conditional Statement: If two circles have the same diameter, then they have the same
circumference.
Converse: If two circles have the same diameter, then they have the same circumference.
Inverse: If two circles do not have the same diameter, then they do not have the same
circumference.
Contrapositive: If two circles do not have the same circumference, then they do not have the
same diameter.
Logical Connectives
A logical connective is the mathematical equivalent of a conjunction in English. The connectives
generally used in mathematics are ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘if ...then’, ‘if and only if’.

Let
P: The sun is shining. Q: It is raining. R: The ground is wet.
1. It is raining and the ground is wet. Q∧R
2. The sun is shining or it is raining. P∨Q
3. The ground is not wet. ~R
4. If it is raining, then the sun is shining. Q→P
5. The ground is wet if and only if it is raining. R↔Q
6. If it is raining, then the sun is not shining. Q → ~P
7. The ground is wet if and only if it is raining and the sun is shining. R ↔ (Q∧P)
8. It is not raining and the sun is shining. ~Q ∧ P
9. If it is not raining, then the ground is not wet. ~Q → ~R

Let P, Q, and R represent the following simple statements:

P: A student misses lecture. Q: A student studies. R: A student fails.
Write each of these symbolic statements in words:
1. (Q ∧ ~P) → ~R
If a student studies and does not miss lecture, then the student does not fail.
2. Q ∧ (~P → ~R)
A student studies, and if the student does not miss lecture, then the student does not fail.

Let P, and R represent the following simple

statements:
P: 2 is a factor of n Q: 3 is a factor of n R: 6 is a factor of n
Write each of these symbolic statements in words:
1. P ∧ Q 2 is a factor of n and 3 is a factor of n.
2. P ∨ Q 2 is a factor of n or 3 is a factor of n.
3. ~P ∧ ~Q 2 is not a factor of n and 3 is not a factor of n.
4. (P ∧ Q) → R If 2 is a factor of n and 3 is a factor of n, then 6 is a factor of n.
5. (~ P ∨ ~ Q) ∨ R 2 is not a factor of n or 3 is not a factor of n, or 6 is a factor of n.

Operations on Sets and Venn Diagrams

❑A set is a collection of objects, things or symbols which are clearly defined. A set is denoted
by capital letters.

❑The individual objects in a set are called the members or elements of the set. A set does not
list an element more than once since an element is either a member of the set or it is not.

❑We relate a member and a set using the symbol ∈. If an object x is an element of set A, we
write x ∈ A. If an object z is not an element of set A, we write z ∉ A. If A = {1, 3, 5} then 1 ∈ A
and 2 ∉ A

❑A set can be defined in the following ways: 1. Listing all the elements, A = {a, b, c, d} 2.
Describing the properties held by the members A = {x | x is the first 4 letters of the alphabet}

Which of the following is not a set?

A. The collection of months in year.
B. The collection of some months in a year.
C. The collection of first ten prime numbers.
D. The collection of days in a week
❑A set is a collection of objects, things or symbols which are clearly defined. A set is denoted
by capital letters.

❑The individual objects in a set are called the members or elements of the set. A set does not
list an element more than once since an element is either a member of the set or it is not.

❑We relate a member and a set using the symbol ∈. If an object x is an element of set A, we
write x ∈ A. If an object z is not an element of set A, we write z ∉ A. If A = {1, 3, 5} then 1 ∈ A
and 2 ∉ A

❑A set can be defined in the following ways: 1. Listing all the elements, A = {a, b, c, d} 2.
Describing the properties held by the members A = {x | x is the first 4 letters of the alphabet}

Given:
B={2,4,6,8,10}
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. 2 ∈ B
B. B ∈ 10
C. 3 ∉ B

❑A set is a collection of objects, things or symbols which are clearly defined. A set is denoted
by capital letters.

❑The individual objects in a set are called the members or elements of the set. A set does not
list an element more than once since an element is either a member of the set or it is not.

❑We relate a member and a set using the symbol ∈. If an object x is an element of set A, we
write x ∈ A. If an object z is not an element of set A, we write z ∉ A. If A = {1, 3, 5} then 1 ∈ A
and 2 ∉ A

❑A set can be defined in the following ways: 1. Listing all the elements, A = {a, b, c, d} 2.
Describing the properties held by the members A = {x | x is the first 4 letters of the alphabet}

Which rule describes the set {…, – 3, – 2, – 1, 0, 1, 2}

A. {x| x is any real number less than 3}
B. {x| x any rational number less than 3}
C. {x| x any integer less than 3

❑The cardinality or cardinal number of a set is the number of elements in a set.

The cardinality of a set is denoted by vertical bars, like absolute value signs; for instance, for a
set A its cardinality is denoted |A| or n(A).
Example, if A = {1, 2, 5} , then set A has a cardinality of 3 for the elements 1, 2, 5 or |A|=3

❑Empty Set or Null Set

A set which does not contain any element is called an empty set, or the null set and it is
denoted by ∅ (read as phi). In roster form, ∅ is denoted by {}.
Example:
The set of whole numbers less than 0.
The set of integers which are both even and odd.
Note: ∅ ≠ {0} because {0} is a set which has one element 0

Given:
S={0,1,2}
T={1,2,3}
Which statement is correct?
A. |S|=|T|
B. S=T
C. |S|=2 D. T=3

❑Subset If A and B are two sets, and every element of set A is also an element of set B, then A
is called a subset of B and we write it as A ⊂ B. The symbol ⊂ and ⊆ stands for ‘is a subset of’
or ‘is contained in’ .

❑Proper Subset Set A is a proper subset of B, if and only if, every element of A is in B, but
there is at least one element of B that is not in A. For example, consider a set Q={1,2,3,4,5,6}.
Then R={1,2,4} and S= {1} are the proper subsets of Q. Proper subset is denoted as ⊂ .

❑Improper Subset An improper subset is a subset containing every element of the original set.
For example, consider a set Q={1,2,3,4,5,6}. Then T={1,2,4,3,5,6} is the improper subset of Q

Let
P = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
Q = {0, 2, 4, 10, 8, 6}
R = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}
S = { 6, 8, 10, 12}
Answer
Yes or No for the following.
(a) P ⊂ Q
(b) Q ⊂ P
(c) P ⊂ Q
(d) Q ⊂ P

Universal Set

❑The set of all elements being considered is called the universal set (U) and is usually
represented by a rectangle.
Example:
A={1,2,5,6}
B={3,9}
U={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}

Venn Diagram

❑A diagram that consists of circles.

❑The circles represent the elements of the set and the outer parts represent elements that are
not part of the set.

❑A Venn diagram is a visual diagram that shows the relationship of sets with one another.

❑A Venn Diagram is used to organize a list of data.

OPERATIONS ON SETS

❑Union of Sets The union of two sets A and B is the set of elements, which are in A or in B or in
both. It is denoted by A ∪ B and is read ‘A union B’.
Example:
Given
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10}
X = {1, 2, 6, 7}
Y = {1, 3, 4, 5, 8}
X ∪ Y = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} ← 1 is written only once.

❑Union of Sets

The union of two sets A and B is the set of elements, which are in A or in B or in both. It is
denoted by A ∪ B and is read ‘A union B’.
Example:
Given
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10}
X = {1, 6, 9}
Y = {1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9}
Find X ∪ Y X ∪ Y = {1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9}

❑Intersection of Sets

The set consisting of all elements which are in both sets A and B. It is denoted by A ∩ B ( read
as A intersection B ).
Example:
X = {1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10}
Y = {1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10}
Find X ∩ Y X ∩ Y = {1, 5, 6, 10}
❑Intersection of Sets The set consisting of all elements which are in both sets A and B. It is
denoted by A ∩ B ( read as A intersection B ).
Example:
X = {1, 6, 9} Y = {1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9}
Find X ∩ Y X ∩ Y = {1, 6, 9}

The complement of a Set

The complement of a set, denoted A', is the set of all elements in the given universal set U that
are not in A.
Example:
U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
A = {2, 3, 4}
find A’
A’={1, 5, 6}

The complement of a Set

The complement of a set, denoted A', is the set of all elements in the given universal set U that
are not in A.
Example:
U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
B = {0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
find B’
B’={2, 3, 9}
❑Difference of Sets

The difference of set B from set A, denoted by A-B, is the set of all the elements of set A that
are not in set B. In mathematical term,
Example:
A = { a, b, c, d, e } B = { a, e, f, g}
Find
B-A
B-A = {f, g}
Find A-B
A-B = {b, c, d}

Venn Diagram – Word Problem

A class has 175 students. The following is the description of students enrolled in one or more
of the following subjects:
 Mathematics 100
 Physics 70
 Chemistry 46
 Mathematics and Physics 30
 Mathematics and Chemistry 28
 Physics and Chemistry 23
 Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry 18
1. How many students are enrolled in Mathematics but not Physics or Chemistry?
2. How many students are enrolled in Physics but not Mathematics or Chemistry?
3. How many students are enrolled in Chemistry but not Mathematics or Physics?
4. How many students are enrolled in Chemistry and Physics but not Mathematics?
5. How many students are enrolled in Mathematics and Physics but not Chemistry?
6. How many students are enrolled in Mathematics? and Chemistry but not Physics?
7. How many students are enrolled in at least one subject?
 8. How many students are enrolled in at least two subjects?
9. How many students are not enrolled in any of the three subjects?

Blood Types
 There are eight main blood types: A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, AB
positive, AB negative, O positive and O negative. (A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+,
AB-)
 The positive and negative refers to your Rh type (once called Rhesus).
A lab technician reports the following after testing blood samples of 100 patients. Draw a Venn
diagram to illustrate the table.

1. How many patients had blood type AB-?

2. How many patients had blood type O+ or O-?
3. How many patients had exactly one antigen?
4. How many patients had exactly two antigens?
5. How many patients had at least one antigen in their blood?
6. How many patients had at least two antigens in their blood?
7. How many patients had no antigens in their blood?
8. How many patients had three antigens in their blood?