SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY INC.

Km. 9 Libby Road Puan, Davao City

Prepared by:

Sir Leo
John G.
Hinayas
 MATHEMATICS AS A LANGUAGE
Learning Outcomes:

1) Classify group of words or symbols as mathematical expressions or mathematical sentences;

2) Identify the verbs in mathematical sentences.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE:

1. It is precise because it can be stated clearly:

2. It is concise because it can be stated briefly.
3. It is powerful because it is capable of expressing complex ideas into simpler forms.
4. It is nontemporal (i.e., it has no tenses) which makes it so unique as compared to other
languages.
5. It also has vocabulary and parts of speech.

PARTS OF SPEECH for MATHEMATICS

Just like any ordinary language, mathematics also has syntax and structure which can be
categorized into five forms.

1) Numbers – are the very first symbols that can be used to represent quantity. These are
nouns (objects) in the English language.
2) Operations symbols – like +, ÷∧¿ ¿ can act as connectives in the mathematical sentence.
3) Relational symbols – such as ¿ , ≤ ,∧ are used for comparison and act as verb in the
mathematical language.
4) Grouping symbols – such as ( ) , { } , and [ ] are used to associate groups of numbers and
operations:
5) Variables – are letters that represent quantities and act as pronouns.

 A mathematical expression refers to objects of interest acting as the subject in the ordinary
language.
 A sentence with a complete thought is a mathematical sentence which can be regarded as
true or false.

Example 1
 a. The following are the examples of examples of mathematical expressions:
4 ,−5 , 7+1 , 2 e (All do not state complete thoughts.)

b. The following are mathematical sentences:

o 5 plus 2 is equal to the square root of 49.

5 + 2 = √ 49 Here the symbol “ + ” is a connective while “ = ” is the verb.

The sentence is true.
o 10 divided by 2 is less than 3.

10 ÷ 2< 3 The symbol “ ÷” is connective while the operator “ < ” acts

as the verb. The statement is false

Example 2: Which of the following are sentences?

a) Manila is the capital of the Philippines.

Answer: This is an English sentence with “is” as the verb. The truth value is T since it is
true that Manila is the capital of the Philippines.

b) The province of Cavite

Answer: This is not a complete thought because it does not contain any verb.

c) The number 5 is a composite number.

Answer: This is a Mathematical sentence with “is” acting as verb. The statement is false.

d) ( x +1 )2

Answer: This is just a mathematical expression which does not contain any relation
symbols.

e) √ x−1=3

Answer: This is a mathematical sentence with symbol “ ¿” acting as verb.

This sentence is true only for x = 10