S.Y.

2021-2022
GEC 002 – MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 1st Semester

Module 2 : Mathematical Language

INTRODUCTION

Understanding mathematics is to understand its language. From patterns and nature, you are now
about to realize the system used by mathematicians to communicate mathematical ideas among
themselves, which is the language of mathematics.
This module will specifically discuss: the language of mathematics, its characteristics and syntax,
mathematical convention, expressions and sentences, operations on mathematical expressions, the four
basic concepts of mathematics, and elementary logic, so that you can correctly read and write mathematical
symbols which you can use to communicate effectively to solve math problems.

Topics:
I. The Language of Mathematics
A. Characteristics and its Syntax
B. Mathematical Convention
C. Mathematical Expressions vs. Mathematical Sentences
D. Operations on Mathematical Expressions
E. The Four Basic Concepts of Mathematics

II. Elementary Logic

A. Propositions
B. Logical Connectives or Operators

Schedule:

• 2nd Week

Instructional Materials:

• Module

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, students are expected to:

1. identify the unique characteristics of the language of mathematics and its syntax;
2. figure out the use of mathematical convention;
3. perform operations on mathematical expressions, and the basic concepts in sets,
relations & functions, and binary operations; and
4. use logical connectives and its symbols to write compound propositions and vice versa.

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MOTIVATION
Figure Me Out!
If you are to solve 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2), what number will you get?

CONTENT
The Language of Mathematics

One very important part for a student to succeed in mathematics is the ability to communicate
effectively in Mathematics (Schiro, 1997). Thus, familiarization with the mathematical language and
symbols is important.
Characteristics and its Syntax
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. So what makes
the language of mathematics unique? They are the following:
a. It is precise because it can be stated clearly and able to make very fine distinctions.
Example: the use of mathematical symbols is only done based on its meaning and purpose.
Like + means add, - means subtract, x mean multiple, and ÷ mean divide.
b. It is concise because it can be stated briefly.
Example: the sentence “three plus two equals five”, can be written in mathematical symbols 3 +2 =5

c. It is powerful because it is capable of expressing complex ideas into simpler forms.

Example: the application of critical thinking and problem solving skill requires the
comprehension, analysis and reasoning to obtain the correct solution.
Mathematics as a language has syntax or structure to make a mathematical expression or
sentences well-formed which can be categorized into five forms.

1. Numbers. They are the very first symbols that can be used to represent quantity.

2. Operation symbols like +, ÷, -, × can act as connectives in a mathematical sentence.

3. Relation symbols such as =, ≤, ≥, ~ are used for comparison.

4. Grouping symbols like { }, ( ), [ ] are used to associate groups of numbers and operators.

5. Variables are letters that represent unknown values or quantities.

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Mathematical Convention
Mathematical convention is where mathematicians and scientists have decided that particular
symbols will have particular meaning. Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other
mathematicians to understand what they write without constantly having to redefine basic terms.

The following symbols are commonly used:

Symbol Meaning Example

+ add 3 + 7 = 10

− Subtract 7−3=4

x or ( ) multiply 7 x 3 or 7(3)

÷ or / divide 1 ÷ 2 or 1⁄2

𝜋 pi the circumference of a circle is 2𝜋𝑟

∞ infinity ∞ is endless

= equals 10 – 5 = 5

≈ approximately equal to 𝜋 ≈ 3.14

≠ not equal to 𝜋≠2

<≤ less than, less than or equal to 2 < 3 or 𝑥 ≤ 3

>≥ greater than, 3 > 2 or 𝑥 ≥ 3

greater than or equal to

√ radical sign √4 = 2

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Mathematical Expression vs. Mathematical Sentences

Mathematical expression and mathematical sentence is the analogue of a phrase and a sentence
in English language. Study the diagram below and discover the similarities and differences of the
two.
Mathematical Expressions Mathematical Sentences

• The result of combining numbers • The result of combining numbers

and variables, with operational and variables, with operational
symbols. symbols and relation symbols.
• It is well formed and states a
• It is well-formed but does not complete thought.
state a complete thought.
Example:
Example: 8 + 2 = 10
8+2 8x + 2 > 10
8x + 2
• A sentence can be (always) true,
• It does not make sense to ask if an (always) false, or sometimes true,
expression is true or false. sometimes false.

Example:
8 + 2 = 10 True
8+2=8 False
x = 2 sometimes true,
sometimes false, depending on
the real value of x, whether x is 2
or otherwise.
8x + 2 = 2 + 8x always true no
matter what value x represent.

Operations on Mathematical Expressions

In simplifying mathematical expressions, the following order of operations is one critical point
to observe. It is the set of rules that determines which operations should be done before or after
others.
Before, we used to have the MDAS (multiplication, division, addition, subtraction). It was
changed then to PEMDAS (parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition,

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subtraction). Now most scientific calculators follow BODMAS (brackets, order, multiplication,
division, addition, subtraction) which is identical to PEMDAS.

Source: https://someshapes.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/the-bodmas-pemdas-equivalency/

The order of operations or BODMAS/PEMDAS is merely a set of rules that prioritize the
sequence of operations starting from the most important to the least important.
Step 1: do as much as you can to simplify everything inside the parenthesis r bracket first.
Step 2: simplify every exponential number in the expression.
Step 3: multiply and divide whichever comes first, from left to right.
Step 4: add and subtract whichever comes first, from left to right.
Examples:
1. Evaluate (11 − 5)2 − 3 + 1
Solution: (6)2 − 3 + 1 Remove the parentheses by simplifying 11 – 5 to get 6
12 − 3 + 1 multiply 6 and 2 to get 12
9+1 subtract 3 from 12 to get 9
= 10 add 9 and 1 to get 10

Or from 12 − 3 + 1
13 − 3 add 12 and 1 to get 13, since addition and subtraction

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have equal importance

=10 subtract 3 from 13 to get the same answer which is 10

2. Evaluate 30 + 52 − (9 + 2)
Solution: 30 + 52 − 11 Remove the parentheses by simplifying 9 + 2 to get 11
30 + 25 − 11 remove the exponent by simplifying 52 to get 25
55 − 11 add 30 and 25 to get 55
= 44 subtract 11 from 55 to get 44

Or from 30 + 25 − 11
19 + 25 subtract 11 from 30 to get 19
= 44 add 19 and 25 to get the same answer which is 44

This was the problem given to you on the 1st part of this module.
Let’ s see if you got it right.
3. Evaluate 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2)
Solution: 8 ÷ 2 x 4 Remove the parentheses by simplifying 2 + 2 to get 4
4x4 divide 8 by 2 to get 4
= 16 multiply 4 by 4 to get 16

Or from 8 ÷ 2 x 4
32 ÷ 2 multiply 8 by 4 to get 32
= 16 divide 32 by 2 to get the same answer which is 16.
If you got the same answer as 16 from the start, congratulations, you know your PEMDAS well!

The Four Basic Concepts of Mathematics

1. Set
- A collection of well-defined objects that contains no duplicates.
- The objects in the set are called the elements of the set.
- To describe a set, we use braces { }, capital letters as A, B, C to represent the set, and
lower case letters as a, b, c to denote elements of the set.
Examples of a set: The set of students in University of La Salette.
The set of natural numbers N = {1, 2, 3, 4, …}
- The three dots in enumerating the elements of the set are called ellipsis and indicate a
continuing pattern or there are elements in the set that have not been written down.
- To indicate that an object is an element of a set, we use the symbol ∈.
Example: Given the set of natural numbers N = {1, 2, 3, 4, …}
1 ∈ 𝑁 (Read as 1is an element of N)
There are three ways in which we can describe or specify a set:
a. The Verbal Description Method – a method of describing set in words.

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Example: Set A is the set of counting numbers less than 5

Set B is the set of letters in the word “Philippines”
b. List Notation/Roster Method – by listing each element of the set inside the braces
{}
Example: A = {1, 2, 3, 4}
B = {p, h, i, l, n, e, s}
c. Set Builder Notation – a method that lists the rules that determine whether an object
is an element of the set rather than the actual elements

Example: A = {x‫ ׀‬x is a counting number less than 5}

(read as “the set of all x’s such that x is a counting number less than 5.
Or A = { x‫ ׀‬0 < x < 5}
B = { x‫ ׀‬x is a letter in the word “Philippines”}

Types of Set
a. A finite set contains elements that can be counted and terminates at certain natural
number, otherwise it is infinite set.
Example: Finite Set A = {1, 2, 3, 4}
Infinite Set B = {1, 2, 3, 4, …}
b. A set with only one element is called a singleton or a singleton set.
Example: 𝐶 = x|x is an even prime number}
This is a single set since 2 is the only even number that is also a prime number.

c. A set with no elements or has no members is called empty set, or null set ∅ or { }.
Example: A set of whole numbers less than zero.

d. Equal sets are sets that contain exactly the same elements.

Example: {3, 8, 9} = {9, 8, 3}

{1, 3, 5, 7} ≠ {3, 5}

e. Equivalent sets are sets that contain the same number of elements.

Example: A = {1, 4, 3}, B = {a, b, c,}, C = {𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾}

Sets A, B, and C are equivalent sets because they all have three elements.

2. Relation

- A rule that pairs each element in one set, called the domain, with one or more elements
from a second set called the range.

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- It creates a set of ordered pairs (x, y)

Example: In X = {1, 2, 3} and Y = {4, 5, 6}, when each element of set X is paired to
one or more elements in set Y, they will form a relation. It will create the set of ordered
pairs {(1, 4), (3, 6), (2, 5), (1, 5), (1, 6),} where 1, 2, 3 is the domain and 4, 5, 6 is the
range.

3. Function
- A rule that pairs each element in one set, called the domain, with exactly one element
from a second set called the range. For every first element of x, there corresponds a
unique second element y.
Example: In X = {1, 2, 3} and Y = {4, 5, 6}, when each element of set X is paired to
exactly one in set Y, they will form a function. It will create a set of ordered pairs
{(1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6)} or {(1, 4), (2, 4), (3, 4)}
Functions can be represented using the following:
a. Table

X 1 2 3
Y 4 5 6

The set {1, 2, 3} is the domain and the set {4, 5, 6} is the range

b. Ordered Pairs
(1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6)

c. Graph

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Remember: All function is a relation, but not all relation is a function. Using vertical line
test, that is a set of points in the plane is the graph of a function if and only if no vertical
line intersects the graph in more than one point. Thus, the graph in figure 3 in not a graph of
a function because the vertical line passed through more than one point.
4. Binary Operation
- A binary operation on a set is a combination of two elements of the set to produce
another element of the set
- Common notation for binary operations on set is the infix notation S1 * S2 ∈ S
- * can be any of the following common operations: + −×÷

Example: S = {1, 2, 3, 4, …} or S is a set of natural numbers

* is defined as S1 * S2 = S1 + S2
What is 1*2?

1*2 = 1 + 2 3 ∈ S, therefore, we can say that addition is a binary operation on S.

1*2 = 3

In subtraction with * defined as S1 * S2 = S1 – S2. Take 1 – 2, it will result to – 1

which is NOT an element of the set. This means that there are some pairs of ∈ S that
may yield a difference that is NOT an ∈ S, therefore subtraction is not a binary
operation on S.

Example: S = {…-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3…} or set S is a set of integers

* is defined as S1 * S2 = S1 – S2
What is 1*2?

1*2 = 1 – 2 – 1 ∈ S, therefore, we can say that subtraction is a

binary operation on S.
1*2 = – 1

- Aside from the common operations+ −×÷, we can define other binary operations such
as a*b = 3a+ b or a*b = ab.

Example: If * is defined as a*b = 3a + b where a and b are real numbers, what is 2*5?

2*5 = 3(2) + 5 Substitute the given then simplify.

2*5 = 11

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Elementary Logic
According to David W. Kueker (2009), logic is simply defined as the analysis of methods of
reasoning. Mathematical reasoning is deductive – that is, it consists of drawing (correct)
conclusions from given hypotheses.
Propositions
Proposition or statement in logic is a sentence that is either true or false but not both.
- In this module, lower case letters such as p, q, r, s or other lower case letters will be
used to represent propositions. Instead of writing the statement over and over again, we
use lower case letters.
- The truth value (based on facts) of a proposition is true, denoted by T, if it is a true
statement. The truth value of a false statement is F.

Example:
All these statements are propositions because
p: Five is less than ten. (T) you can determine the truth or falsity of each.
q: Dogs can fly. (F) Consider the next three statements.
r: Santiago City is in Isabela. (T)
These are not propositions because the first one is a
question, the second is an opinion, and the third is a
What is the value of x?
command. You cannot determine the truth value of the
Liza is beautiful.
three statements.
Read page 30 of your book.

One operation used involving a proposition is negating a statement.

- Changing the truth value of a proposition.
- The negation of a true statement is a false statement, and the negation of a false statement
is a true statement.
- We use the symbol ~ to negate a propositions like ~p (read as NOT p) or ~q (read as
NOT q).

Example: convert the following symbolic propositions using the propositions below.
p: Five is less than ten.
q: Today is not Tuesday.
a. ~p b. ~q

Solution: Solution:
Five is not less than ten. Today is Tuesday.

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Simple and Compound Propositions

Simple Compound
- Convey one idea with no - Statements which combine two or
connecting words. more simple propositions using
connectives.

Example of connectives:
Example:
And/but/yet/while
Five is less than ten.
Or
Birds can fly.
If … then
A square is a quadrilateral.
If and only if

Logical Connectives or Operators

Logical Connectives or Operators Used to Form a Compound Proposition
1. Conjunction (and, but)

- Symbolized as “p ^ q” (read as p and q)

Example: Consider the two simple propositions below.
p: Today is Sunday
q: They are working.

a. Form a compound proposition using the symbolic statement p ^ q.

p q
^
Solution: Today is Sunday and they are working.

b. Identify the symbolic statement of the compound proposition: “Today is

Sunday and they are not working”.
p q
^ ~
Solution: Today is Sunday and they are not working

Therefore, the symbolic statement of the given compound proposition is p ^ ~ q.

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2. Disjunction (or)
- Symbolized as “p ˅ q” (read as p or q)
Example: Consider the two simple propositions below.
p: A square has four equal sides.
q: A rectangle is a quadrilateral.

a. Form a compound proposition using the symbolic statement p ˅ q.

p
˅ q
Solution: A square has four equal sides or a rectangle is a quadrilateral.

b. Identify the symbolic statement of the compound proposition: “A square does not
have four equal sides or a rectangle is not a”.
~p ~q
˅
Solution: A square does not have four equal sides or a rectangle is not a
quadrilateral.

Therefore, the symbolic statement of the given compound proposition is ~(p˅q)

or ~p˅~q

3. Conditional statement (if …then)

- Symbolized as “p → q” (read as If p, then q.”)
Example: Consider the two simple propositions below.
p: A woman has a son or daughter. (antecedent)
q: A woman is a mother. (consequent)
a. Form a compound proposition using the symbolic statement p → q.
p
→ q
Solution: If a woman has a son or daughter, then a woman is a mother.

b. Identify the symbolic statement of the compound proposition: If a woman has a

son or daughter, then a woman is not a mother.
p ~q
→
Solution: If a woman has a son or daughter, then a woman is not a mother.
Therefore, the symbolic statement of the given compound statement is p → ~ q.

4. Biconditional Statement (if and only if)

- Biconditional statements are combination of conditional statements that are

true if the statement is still true when the antecedent and consequent are
reversed.
- Symbolized as “p ↔ q” (read as p if and only if q)

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Example: Consider the conditional statement and its reverse below.

p → q: If two line segments are congruent, then they are of equal length.
q → p: If two line segments are of equal length, then they are congruent.

a. Write a biconditional statement using the symbolic statement p ↔ q.

p q
↔
Solution: Two line segments are congruent is if and only if they are of equal
length.

Note that the statement is still true even when the antecedent and consequent are
reversed.

SUMMARY

✓ Mathematical language has its unique characteristics.

✓ Learning mathematical language is vital in understanding different concepts in math.
✓ The order of operations is important in simplifying mathematical expressions, thus the use of
BODMAS/PEMDAS.
✓ The study of logic is essential in communicating logical arguments and in everyday life to prove
different points.

REFERENCES
Romeo M. Daligdig, EdD (2019). Mathematics in the Modern World. Mathematical Language and
Symbols. Lorimar Publishing,Inc.
Earnhart, R T., and Adina E M. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Basic Concepts of
Mathematical Language. C & E Publishing,Inc.
Calingasan R, Martin M, Yambao E (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. The Language of
Mathematics and The Nature of Logic: Mathematics as a Science of Patterns. C & E
Publishing, Inc.
Dr. Esperanza (Jan 24, 2019). How to translate compound statements to symbolic form. From
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LojjlWfPY8o

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