Module 

2. Mathematical Language and Symbols 

 
This chapter will introduce you to some of the special language that is a foundation for much
mathematical thought, the language of variables, sets, relations, and functions. Think of the chapter like the
exercises you would do before an important sporting event. Its goal is to warm up your mental muscles so that
you can do your best. 
 
Welcome to this adventure! 
                             
 
LEARNING COMPASS 
 

At the end of the unit, the students will be able to:

 
1. discuss the language, symbols, and conversion of mathematics; 
2. explain the nature of mathematics as a language;
3. perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly; and
4. acknowledge that mathematics is a useful language.

LET’S BEGIN
 
Video watching on “Mathematical Language and Symbols” using this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=dwKfiXGdo1A&t=65s

1. Define Language?  
-Language is a system of communication that makes use of written and vocal symbols. It is also used in
making different mathematical symbols.

2.  Write at least 10 common symbols used in mathematics.

- + addition, - subtraction, × multiplication, ÷ division, ≥ greater than, ≤ less than, ≠ not equal to, ∞
infinity, π pi, U union

3. What is the importance of language? 

-Language is important in transmitting information, understanding the expressed ideas, acquiring
knowledge or information, and constructing social identity. Language was also designed to write numbers,
sets, functions, and perform operations.

WE’RE ON OUR WAY 

1. Translate each sentence using the concepts learned in the videos and pdf files presented about
mathematical symbols.

a. 0 is an integer 
- Z= {0}

b. x belong to both sets a and b 

 - A ⋂ B = {x}
c. x is an odd number 
- {x | C(x)}

d. the square of the sum of x and y is not more than 20 

- (x + y)² < 20

e. the sum of two consecutive numbers is 31 

- x + (x +1) = 31
- x= 15
- x+1= 16
- 15+16= 31

2. Choose a quantity to be represented by the variables, then write a mathematical expression for each 
a. Jelia’s age is 28 
- Let ‘x’ be the age of Jelia: x=28
The distance traveled by a man driving at a rate of 60 kph 
- d=rt
- d=60 kph

b. The perimeter of a triangle whose length is twice the width 

- P=2(L+W)

The sum of three consecutive even integers

- Let x, x+2, x+4 be three consecutive even integers. Then, we have:
- x+(x+2)+(x+4)=3x+6

A three-digit number whose hundreds is twice the tens digit and the tens are 3 more than the
unit digit.  
- Let the Unit Digit be x, so the Tens Digit is x+3 and therefore Hundreds Digit is 2x+6.
- If 2x + 6 = 8
- then x+3=4
- and x=1, the three-digit number is 841.

LET’S DIG DEEPER 

 
Interactive Lecture Discussion on the “Mathematical Language and Symbols” using the links below.   
a. Characteristics of a Mathematical Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwhKiEiHLs;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nqjw3ljTFQ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7xYj7cAzog
b. Introduction to sets: https://www.youtube.cvom/watch?v=vGelH3Jibt4

 
HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE? 

After the thorough discussion, please do the following questions: 

1. Determine whether each of the sentences below is a proposition or not. 
a. All multiples of 5 are odd numbers. 
- Proposition
b. X is a real number 
- Proposition
c. Sketch the graph of f 
- Not Proposition
 d. Five is greater than four. 
- Proposition
e. The sun is shining.
- Proposition

2. State whether or not the following are propositions. In case of a proposition, indicate if it is true or
false 
a. All perfect squares are even numbers.
- Proposition; Its truth value is “False”
b. Every decimal number is a rational number.
- Proposition; Its truth value is “False”
If 2x + 7 = x then x=7 
- Proposition; Its truth value is “False”
The sum of two real numbers is a real number
- Proposition; Its truth value is “True”
The function F 
- Not Proposition

 WALK THE EXTRA MILE

 
Assessing my understanding about Mathematical Language and Symbols. Please be guided with the following
questions: 
 
1. Let p and q are the propositions “the election is decided” and “the votes have been counted”
respectively. Express each of these compound propositions as an English sentence. 
a. Not p : The election is not (yet) decided.
b. Q implies p : If the votes have been counted then the election is decided.
c. P if and only if q : The election is decided if and only if the votes have been counted .
d. P or q : The election is decided or the votes have been counted.
e. Not q implies not p : The election is not decided unless the votes have been counted. Or
If the votes have not been counted, then the election is not (yet) decided
2. Write these propositions in symbols using p, q, and r and logical connectives. 
Let p and q are the propositions “you get 95 in math,” “you do every assignment in the class,” and
“you get 95 on the final examination” respectively.
a. You get a 95 in math, but you do not do every assignment in the class 
- p ∧ ¬q
b. You get a 95 on the final examination, you do every assignment in the class, and you get 95 in math 
- r→p→q
To get a 95 in math, it is necessary for you to get 95 on the final examination 
- r→q

EXTENSION OF LEARNING

Please answer all the activities provided below:

A. Indicate which of the following verbal descriptions defines a set.

1. The collection of all good- looking students in San Sebastian College.
- This is not well defined because the word good-looking is not defined and therefore is not a set.
2. The provinces of the Philippines.
- This is well defined and therefore is a set.
3. The collection of all students who can answer a word problem.
- This is well defined and therefore is a set.
 4. The list of subjects offered every semester in Mandaue City College.
- This is well defined and therefore is a set.

5. The list of honest senators in the Philippines Senate.

- This is not well defined because the word honest is not defined and therefore is not a set.

3. List the elements of the following sets.

1. A = {y│y an integer, -1≤ y< 4} A = {-1, -0, 1, 2, 3, 4}

2. C = { h│h a positive integer, h2≤ 5} C = {1, 4, 9, 16, 25}

3. E = {x│x a letter in the word volleyball} E = {V, O, L, L, E, Y, B, A, L, L}

4. B = {r│r is an integer that s2 = 5} B = {25}

5. D = {x│x is a set of continents of the world}

D = {North America, Asia, Antarctica, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania}

4. Write the following sets in roster method.

1. E = {x│x a letter in the word heart} --> E = {H, E, A, R, T}

2. E = {x│x ɛ integers between 1 and 10} --> E = {2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}

3. E = {x│x + 2 = 5} --> E = {3}

4. E is the set of months with 31 days. ---> E = {January, March, May, July, August, October, December}

5. G is the set of letters from a to e. --> G = {a, b, c, d, e}

5. Write the following sets in rule method.

1. A = {2,4, 6…} -> A = {x│x is an even number}

2. B= {autumn, winter, summer, fall} --> B= {x│x is a season of the year}

3. C = {Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon} --> C= {x│x is a province of CALABARZON}

4. D = {DepEd, TESDA, CHED} --> D = {x│x is a governing body of the education sector}

5. E = {Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday} --> E = {x│x is a day of the week}

6. Identify whether the following are Finite, Infinite, or Empty set.

1. The set of first even whole numbers. –Finite

2. The set of letters in the word empty. –Finite

3. The set of positive odd numbers. –Infinite

4. The set of consonants in the English Alphabet. –Finite

5. The set of mayors in the National Capital Region. –Finite

6. The set of fractions in integer. –Infinite

7. The set of parallel lines to the y-axis. –Infinite

 8. The set of circles through the origin (0,0). –Infinite

9. The set of even prime numbers. –Finite

10. The set of months in a year. –Finite

7. Give the domain and range of each relation.

Domain Range
1. (1,2), (5,0), (0, -2), ( -3, 4) D = {1, 5, 0, -3} R = {2, 0, -2, 4}
2. (-4,6), (4,0), ( -3, -1), (5,2) D = {-4, 4, -3, 5} R = {6, 0, -1, 2}
3. (0,4), (-5,1), (-3, -2), ( 3, -5) D = {0, -5, -3, 3} R = {4, 1, -2, -5}

8. Determine whether the following equations are function or not.

1. y=x –Function

2. y = x2 + 1 –Function

3. x2 = y+ 1 –Function

4. y=│x + 2│ –Function

5. y= x3 + 4x + 1 –Function

6. x2 + y2 =9 –Not Function

7. x2 -4 y2 = 36 –Not Function

8. 3x +5 = 2y + 1 –Function

9. y= │x -1│–Function

10. x2 -4x = y2 -3x –Not Function

H. Determine which of the following sentences is proposition or non-propositions.

1. 3 + 8 = 10 –Proposition

2. x2 = x for some x ɛ Real Numbers. –Proposition

3. y + z = z + y for every pair of real numbers y a –Proposition

4. X + 8 = 6 if x = 2. –Proposition

5. There is air pollution in Marikina City. –Proposition

6. Today is Sunday. –Proposition

7. Write this neatly. –Non-Proposition

8. Do not lock the door. –Non-Proposition

9. a+ b = b + c if c = a –Proposition

10. Jose Rizal is a former Philippine President. –Proposition

11. There are 5 typhoons in the month of July. –Proposition

12. Give me back my wallet. –Non-Proposition

13. Please come home tomorrow. –Non-Proposition

14. AC plays basketball. –Proposition

15. Jollibee is an American fast-food chain. –Proposition

16. Philippines is the “Pearl of the Orient”. –Proposition

17. The garden is in front of the house. –Proposition

18. Turn on the television. –Non-Proposition

19. How many days are there in January? –Non-Proposition

20. The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius. –Proposition

REFERENCES

Online Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwKfiXGdo1A&t=65s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwhKiEiHLs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nqjw3ljTFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7xYj7cAzog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGelH3Jibt4

Book
Sirug, Winston S. Mathematics in the Modern World: A CHED General Education Curriculum Compliant,
Minshapers Company, Incorporated; 2018