QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

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Module 2: MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

Introduction
In writing and speaking the language of mathematics, it is important that
you know some basic mathematical terms because you will most likely encounter
mathematical sentences with complicated structures. One very important element
for a student to succeed in mathematics is the ability to communicate effectively
in mathematics (Schiro, 1997).

Module Objectives
At the end of this module, the students are expected to use the mathematical
language appropriately in speaking and writing mathematical ideas. This module
aims to introduce basic symbolic logic and set theory.

lesson 1. Mathematics as a Language

This section introduces you to the basic structures of mathematical
language. It covers the linguistic functions of mathematics.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. classify group of words or symbols as mathematical expressions or
mathematical sentences; and
2. identify the verbs in mathematical sentences.

Pre-assessment
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write AGREE. Otherwise, write
DISAGREE.
_________1. In mathematical language, a mathematical expression is considered as
a noun.
_________2. Just like English sentences, mathematical sentences have verbs too.
_________3. Mathematics is a language with its own parts of speech.
________ 4. “5 + 8 = 13” is a mathematical sentence.
________ 5. Mathematics is a science of measurement.

Key Concepts
Although Mathematics and the English language have many things in common
in terms of structure, the rules in mathematics are stricter and some forms are
more complicated. The following items summarize some unique characteristics of
the 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 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. Operation symbols like +, ÷, ^, and ν can act as connectives in a
mathematical sentence.

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3. Relation symbols such as =, ≤, and ~ are used for comparison and act as
verbs 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 examples of mathematical expressions 4, -5, 5 + 2, 2e (All
do not state complete thoughts.)
b. The following are mathematical sentences:
1. 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.
2. 10 divided by 2 is less than 3.
10 ÷ 2 < 3, The symbol “÷” is a connective while the operator “<” acts as
the verb. The statement is false.

Guided Practice:
Example 2:
Which of the following are sentences?
a. Manila is the capital of the Philippines.
b. The province of Cavite
c. The number 5 is a composite number.
d. (x + 1)2
e. √x-1 = 3
Solution:
a. 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. This is not a complete thought because it does not contain any verb.
c. This is a mathematical sentence with “is” acting as verb. The
statement is false.
d. This is just a mathematical expression which does not contain any
relational symbols.
e. This is a mathematical sentence with symbol “=” acting as verb.
This sentence is true only for x = 10.
Supplemental link
Read the link below to supplement what you have learned in this module.
 The Language of Mathematics
http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/pdf_files/LANG1.pdf

Assessment Tasks
Instruction: Supply the correct answer on the blanks provided to each item
below.
1. Find other names for the number “12” using the following symbols.
a. + ___________________________________________________
b. ÷ ___________________________________________________
c. √ ___________________________________________________
2. Identify the verb in each sentence. Determine whether the sentence is true
or false.
a. EDSA is the longest road in Metro Manila.
Verb ___________________True or False ___________________
b. The capital of Metro Manila is Quezon City.
Verb _____________________ True or False ___________________

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c. 8(2) – 6 = √100
Verb ____________________True or False ___________________
d. 𝜋 < 3
Verb ____________________ True or False ___________________
e. 4 – 5 = 5 – 4
Verb ____________________True or False ___________________

3. Classify if each item is an expression ( E ) or a sentence (S) .

a. pretty girl ___________________
b. 3 + 4 = 4 + 3 _______________________
c. The word “vowel” starts with a consonant _____________________
d. 5 x 3 _______________________
e. 5 x 3 = 3 x 5 _______________________
f. Hayward got injured in the game. _______________________
g. You and I _______________________
h. 3x = 3 _______________________
i. 3x + 4y _______________________
j. 1(5) = 5 _______________________
k. x ≤ 5 _______________________
l. Math is a language ______________________

Lesson 2: Basic Concepts of Mathematical Language:

Sets, Functions, and Binary Operations

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts in sets, functions, and
binary operations;
2. represent sentences using set notations;
3. identify if a given set is a function; and
4. perform binary operations on sets.

Pre-assessment
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write AGREE. Otherwise, write
DISAGREE.
_____________1. The language of mathematics is very precise.
_____________2. To understand mathematics, one should be good in English.
_____________3. You cannot perform operations unless you are good in
mathematical notation.
_____________4. The mathematical language involves sets and set notations.
_____________5. Mathematical language is full of terminologies but lacks
mathematical notations.

Key Concepts

SETS
A set is a collection of objects which are called elements of the set. If an
object a belongs to a particular set S then write a ∈ S.If a is not an element of the
set then write a ∉ S.

Two ways to represent the elements of a set.

1. Roster Method lists down all the elements.

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Example 1.
Set A is the set of counting numbers less than 6.
Set Notation: A = {1.2.3.4.5}
This is a finite set with cardinality of 5.
Example 2.
Set B is the set of positive even integers greater than 8.
Set Notation: B = {10, 12, 14 ….}
B is an infinite set which uses dots to denote infinite sequence.

2. Set Builder Notation presents the elements by stating their common

properties. It is also useful when describing infinite sets.

Example 3.
Set A is the set of counting numbers greater than 6.
Set Notation: A = {x/x ∈ N and x > 6} where N is the set of counting numbers.
It is read as “The set of all x such that x is a counting number and greater
than 6.”

Functions:
A function f assigns each element x of set A to a unique element, y of
set B. In symbols, y = f(x).

x y

A function can be described in the following ways:

 Verbally
 Equation or formulas
 Diagrams
Guided Practice:

Example 4.
Which of the following is a function?
a. A = {( -2, 4), (-1,1), (1,1) (2,4)}
b. B = {(4, -2),(1,-1), (1,1), (4, 2)}

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Solution:

a. Set A is a function since every first element in any ordered pair (x,y) is
assigned with exactly one element. The first element x is called the first
coordinate and y is the second coordinate. The function can be represented
by the equation y = x2 or f(x) = x 2 with domain D = {-2, -1, 1, 2}, the set of all
the first coordinates. The function can be represented by the following
diagram.
f

-2 1

-1

2 4

b. Set B is not a function since 1 is paired with two numbers -1 and 1, which
violate the definition of a function.

1 -1

-2

4 2

Binary Operations
A binary operation is an operation that takes two input elements from a set
and gives a unique result that also belongs to the same set.

Example 1. is the operation addition. In “3 + 5 = 8,” the operation “+” takes two
real numbers 3 and 5 and gives the result 8 which is also a real number. A mapping
from a set A to a set B is a set of ordered pairs (a, b), where a is an element of A
and b is an element of B. A binary operation on a set S is a mapping denoted by*
which assigns to each ordered pair of elements of S a uniquely determined element

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of S. The set S is said to be closed under the operation* which means taking the
binary operation with any elements of S will give a result that belongs also to S.
Example 5.
Addition and multiplication of real numbers are binary operations which
combine two real numbers to produce a unique real number.

+ : (a, b) → a + b
∙ : (a, b) → a ∙ b Where a, b. a + b, a ∙ b € R (set of real numbers)
Example 6.
Addition and multiplication are also binary operations on the set of integers
Z. However, Z is not closed under division because a + b is not always an integer.
3
For example, 3 ÷ 4 = which is not an integer.
4

Example 7.
Let the operation * be a binary operation on the set of natural numbers N
defined a * b = a b. The set N is closed under this operation. However, it is not
commutative, that is, a * b ≠ b * a.
For example, 5 * 2 = 52 = 25 while 2 * 5 = 25 = 32.

Assessment Tasks
Instructions:: Read and understand the instructions in the list of exercises below
then, write the necessary answer to each item in the blanks provided.
Exercise 2.1
For numbers 1 to 6, use the roster method to represent each given set.
1. The set of counting numbers greater than -1 and less than 9.
_______________________________________________________
2. The set of integers satisfying x – 2 ≤ 5.
_______________________________________________________
3. The first names of all the members of the group One Direction.
_______________________________________________________
4. The set of months of a year ending with the letters “ber”
_______________________________________________________
5. The set of cities in Metro Manila that start with the letter P.
_______________________________________________________
6. The set of positive numbers that are divisible by 3 and less than or equal to
12. _______________________________________________________

For numbers 7 to 10, use the set builder notation to represent each given set.
7. The set of natural numbers that are less than 7.
_______________________________________________________
8. The set of composite numbers that are divisible by 4 and less than 18.
_______________________________________________________
9. {1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49}
_______________________________________________________
10. {8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18)
_______________________________________________________

Exercise 2.2
For numbers 1 and 2, determine which is a function from x to y.

1. {(d,a), (a,a), (e,b), (b,c)}

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2. {(2,1), (5,2), (5,3), (6,4)}

For numbers 3 and 4, list the ordered pairs for each function using the given
domain. Also, find the range.

3. f(x) = x – 3, with domain {4, 8, 12, 16}

𝑡+1
4. g(t) = with domain {3, 4, 5}
𝑡
For numbers 5 to 7, determine if each statement represents a function.

5. Each person is assigned a birth date.

6. Each course in a degree program is assigned a tuition fee.
7. Each unit in a condominium is assigned to only one particular parking slot.
Lesson 3. Mathematical Logic

Symbolic logic is a powerful tool for analysis and communication in

mathematics. It represents the natural language and mathematical language with
symbols and variables.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. write statements in symbolic forms;
2. write in symbolic statements in words;
3. construct a truth table for logical equivalence; and
4. write a conditional statement in other forms.

Pre-assessment
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write AGREE. Otherwise, write
DISAGREE.
__________1. The statement 2 ≤ 5 is a disjunction.
__________2. The statement ~ 𝑝 ^ 𝑝 is a self- contradiction.
__________3. x + 3 is an example of an open sentence.
__________4. The negation of statement p is “not p”.
__________5. Tautology is a statement that is always false.

Key Concept

 A statement is an assertion which can be regarded as true or false.

 A simple statement which does not other statements as parts.
 A compound statement contains two or more statements.
 A logical connective combines simple statements into compound
statements.
Example 1:
The following sentences are simple statements.

I will go to the mall.

The sky is cloudy.
You will receive your promotion.
The function f(x) is continuous.

The main parts of symbolic logic are statements and connectives. The
following table shows some basic propositional logic with their symbols.

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Connectives Propositional Symbols Example Read

Logic
Not negation ~ ~p Not p(p is false)
And/But conjunction ^ p^q p and q (Both
p and q are
true)
Or disjunction v pvq p or q (either p
is true or q is
true or both
are true)
Implies conditional → p→q If p then q
If and only if biconditional ↔ p↔q p implies q and
q implies p. p if
and only if q

The Converse, the Inverse, and the Contrapositive

The conditional statement, p(antecedent) → q(consequent), has the following

forms:
a. If p, then q.
b. p implies q.
c. p only if q.
d. Not p or q.
e. Every p is q
f. q, if p.
g. q provided that p.
h. q is necessary condition for p.
i. p is a sufficient condition for q.
j. p yields q.
k. q follows from p.

Example 2:
Consider the following statements.
p: x is a prime number
q: x is odd
Formalize the following statements.
a. x being prime is a sufficient condition for being odd.
b. x being odd is a necessary condition for being prime.
Solution:
a. p → q
b. p → q

Example 3:
Write each statement in the form “If p, then q.”
a. I will be able to tour abroad next year provided that I have my passport
renewed.
b. Every triangle that is not a right triangle is an oblique triangle.
Solution:
a. If I have my passport renewed, then I will be able to tour abroad next year.
b. If a triangle is not a right triangle, then it is an oblique triangle.
Derived Forms of a Conditional Statement
There are three ways to restate a conditional statement – the converse, the
inverse, and the contrapositive. However, restating the statement into one of
these forms may change the meaning of the original statement. The conditional
statement, p → q, maybe restated in the following forms.
Converse Form: q → p
Inverse Form: ~p → ~q
Contrapositive: ~q → ~p

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Guided Practice:
Example 4:
Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of the given sentence.
“She is allowed to join the volleyball team, only if she knows how to receive the
ball.”
Solution:
p→q: If she is allowed to join the volleyball team, then she knows how to
receive the ball.
Converse: If she knows how to receive the ball, then she is allowed to join the
volleyball team.
Inverse: If she is not allowed to join the volleyball team, then she does not know
how to receive the ball.
Contrapositive: If she does not know how to receive the ball, then she is not
allowed to join the volleyball team.

Example 5:
Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of the given sentence.
“Every triangle is a parallelogram.”

Solution:
p → q: If it is a rectangle, then it is a parallelogram.
Converse: If it is a parallelogram, then it is a rectangle.
Inverse: If it is not a rectangle, then it is not a parallelogram.
Contrapositive: If it is not a parallelogram, then it is not a rectangle.

TRUTH TABLES
A logical statement may either be true or false. If the statement is true,
then the truth value corresponding to the statement is true and is denoted by the
letter T. If it is false, the statement has a value denoted by F. The truth table is a
summary of all possible truth values of a statement. Here are some examples

A. Assertion
p
T
F E. Conditional
p q p→q
B. Negation T T T
p ~p T F F
T F F T T
F T F F T

C. Conjunction F. Biconditional
p q p^ p q p↔q
q T T T
T T T T F F
T F F F T F
F T F F F T
F F F

D. Disjunction
p q pv
q
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F

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Compound Statements and Their Truth Tables

In mathematics, statements expressed in different ways are considered to
be equivalent if they have the same truth value.
For example, “Manila is the capital of the Philippines” is considered
equivalent to the statement written as “The capital of the Philippines is Manila.”
Compound statements are complex statements built up on two simple
statements by using connectives. In joining two statements, parenthesis is used
to enclose a single statement. The truth table of a compound statement involving
two or more statements can be constructed from the truth tables of each of the
simple statements.

Example 6:
Construct the truth table for the compound statements.
(p v q) ^ ~p
Solution:
Apply the basic rules discussed previously to obtain the following table.
p q pv ~p (p v q) ^
q ~p
T T T F F
T F T F F
F T T T T
F F F T F
Example 7:
Find the truth table of ~p v (~q → p)
Solution:

p q ~p ~q ~q → p ~p v (~q →p)
T T F F T T
T F F T T T
F T T F T T
F F T T F T

If the value of a compound statement is always true regardless of the truth values
of each of the compound statements, then the statement is said to be tautology. The
compound statement in the previous example is a tautology. If the truth value of a
compound statement is always false, regardless of the truth values of each of the
component statements, then the statement is a contradiction.

Logical Equivalence
Two mathematical statements are logically equivalent if the final output of their
truth tables are exactly the same. For example, the statement p → q is not logically
equivalent to ~p v q, If P and Q are compound statements, then P and Q are logically
equivalent if and only if p ↔ q is a tautology.

Example 8:
Verify if the statements p → q and ~p v q are logically equivalent. What is the
logical content equivalent of “If the price is right, then I will accept the job offer.”

Solution:
Construct the truth table to show equivalence.
p q ~p p→q ~p v q
T T F T T
T F F F F
F T T T T
F F F F F
Since the last two columns are identical, the given statements are logically
equivalent.

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Using the above results, the logical content equivalent of “If the price is right,
then I will accept the job offer.”

De Morgan’s Laws

Let p and q be any proposition statements. Then,

~(p ^ q) ↔ (~p) v (~q)

~(p v q) ↔ (~p) ^ (~q)

Prove: p → q ↔ (~q) → (~p)

Proof:
p → q ↔ (~p) v q Logical equivalence of p → q
↔ q v (~p) The operator v is commutative.
↔ ~(~q) v (~p) For any statement p, ~(~p) = p.
↔ (~q) → (~p) The converse of p → q is also
true.

Quantifiers
Quantifiers like all, any, every, and some can be used to analyze
mathematical sentences. or maybe used to define mathematical terms.

 2 Categories of Quantifiers
 Universal quantifiers
 Existential quantifiers

 Universal quantifiers such as all and every are used to denote that all
elements in the set satisfy a given property.

The following statements contain universal quantifiers.

 All professors handling professional courses are licensed engineers.
 Each of the students attending the field trip must have the waiver
form signed by the parents.
 Every right triangle has an angle that measures 900.

 Existential quantifiers such as some and there exists are used to denote
that one or more elements of a set satisfy a given property.
The following statements contain existential quantifiers.
 Some parents now fear vaccines.
 There exists a relationship between the mathematical language and
the ordinary language.
 There is a number whose square is 9.

Notation for Quantifiers

If S is a set and P(x) is a statement about the element x, then the notation

(∀x∈ 𝑆) P(x)

means that “For all x in S, for which P of x is true” or “P(X) is true for every x in
set S.”
The Notation
(∃x ∈ 𝑆)𝑃(𝑥)

means “There exists x in S, for which P of x is true” or “There exists at least one
element x of S for which P(x) is true.”

Example 9:

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Use quantifiers to define odd and even numbers.

Solution:
a. An integer x is even if there exists an integer y such that x = 2y.

In symbols, (∃𝑦 ∈ 𝑍)𝑥 = 2𝑦.

b. An integer x is odd if there exists an integer y such that x = 2y + 1.

In symbols, (∃𝑦 ∈ 𝑍)𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 1.

Assessment Tasks
Instruction: Formalize the given statements using the following propositions.

p: Paul is happy
q: Queenie is happy
r: Paul plays the guitar

1. Both Paul and Queenie are happy.______________________________

2. Paul plays the guitar provided that he is happy.______________________________
3. If Paul is happy and play the guitar, then Queenie is not
happy.____________________

Let M: Mark is English and L: Lem is German. Translate the following logic symbols
into words.

4. MvL _________________________
5. ~L ________________________
6. M → ~L _________________________
7. M ^ (~L) _________________________
8. M v (~M→ L) _________________________

Exercise 3.2
Construct the truth tables for the given compound statements.
1. p ^ (~q)
2. [p ^ (~q)] v [(~p) v q]
3. ~(p v ~q) v p
If p false and q is true, what are the truth values of the given statements?
4. (p v q)
5. (~p) ^ (~q)

Exercise 3.3
Determine whether each pair of statements is logically equivalent.
1. P v (q ^ r) and (p v q) ^ (p v r)
2. ~(~p→ q) and p → ~q
3. ~(p ^ q) and (~p) v (~q)

Write the negation of the given statement in its equivalent conjunctive form.
“if x is an odd integer, then x² is an odd integer.

Exercise 3.4
Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of the given statement. Use the
contrapositive to determine whether the original statement is true. Note: If the
contrapositive statement is true, the original statement is also true.
1. If a quadrilateral is not a rectangular, then it is not a square.

Converse: ____________________________________________________
Inverse: ____________________________________________________
Contrapositive: ________________________________________________
True or False: ________________________________________________

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2. If yesterday is not Wednesday, then tomorrow is not Friday.

Converse: ________________________________________________________
Inverse: ________________________________________________________
Contrapositive: ___________________________________________________
True or False: ___________________________________________________

Exercise 3.5
Given:
H : Harry smokes.
L : Liam drinks alcohol.
Translate the logic symbols into words.
1. H ^ (~L) _________________________________________________________
2. H v (~H→ L) ________________________________________________________
Construct the truth tables for the given compound statements.
3. P ^ ( ~q )
4. [ p ^ (~q)] v [( ~p) v q ]
5. ~( pv ~q ) v p
Write the conditional statements in its equivalent disjunctive forms.
“If two triangles are similar, then their corresponding sides are proportional.”
_____________________________________________________
Write the negation of the given statement in its equivalent conjunctive form.
“ If a square matrix A is singular, then det(A) = 0.”
_____________________________________________________

-End of Module 2-

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