Unit 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

Topic 1: Nature of Mathematics as a Language

We will think of this unit as a warm up to our mental muscles before we start to work and do
our best on mathematical problems. How do we attack a mathematical problem? The idea is
the need to understand the mathematical language clearly, precisely and unambiguously.
Mathematics is about ideas -- relationships, quantities, processes, and ways of figuring out
certain kinds of things, reasoning, and so on. It uses words.
Thus, we need to get extensive practice with mathematical language ideas, to enhance the
ability to correctly read, write, speak, and understand math. The language of math can be
learned, but requires the efforts needed to learn any foreign language.

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic, you are expected to:

a. discuss the language, symbols and conventions of mathematics;
b. explain the nature of mathematics as a language; and
c. Perform basic unary and binary operation.

Presentation of Content

I. Characteristics of Mathematical Language

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kind of thoughts that
mathematicians like to express that it is precise, concise and powerful.
A. Precise means exact and accurate. It is often used in mathematical or scientific contexts in
which definite, fixed statements or measurements are demanded. While precise and exactly are
nearly synonymous, they are not necessarily interchangeable. Exactly is preferred if you are
talking about a measurement, or a time. For instance, My alarm is set for exactly 5:30 A.M.
B. Concise use of symbols to be able to express more. It means stating something succinctly,
using as few words as possible yet still conveying the full meaning.
C. Powerful means be able to express complex thoughts with relative ease.
Now, the following definitions will help clarify some terms.
In English, nouns are used to name things we want to talk about (like people, places and things);
whereas sentences are used to state complete thought. A typical English sentence has at least
one noun, and at least one verb. For example, Gemma loves Mathematics.
We call mathematical analogue of NOUN as EXPRESSION. Thus an expression is a name
given to a mathematical object of interest such as number, set, matrix and average to name a
few.
 Expressions versus Sentences

MATHEMATICS

Expression Sentence
(name given to mathematical object of (must state a complete
interest) thought)
Number TRUE : 1+ 2 = 3
Number, Set, Matrix, Ordered pair, FALSE: 1 + 2 = 4
Average ST/SF : x =1

A Mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a correct assignment of

mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. It has verbs and connectives. Also we
have to consider the notion of truth (the property of being true or false) is of fundamental
importance in the mathematical language. Instead of writing sentences with words, we write
mathematical sentences with numbers and symbols.
Example:
a. In the mathematical sentence 6+9 = 15. The equal sign is actually the verb and indeed
one of the most popular mathematical verbs.
b. The symbol “+” in 6 + 9 = 15 is a connective which is used to connect objects of a
given type.
c. Sentences can be true or false. It makes sense to ask the truth of a sentence. Ask if it
is true? Is it false? Is it sometimes true? Sometimes false?
II. Conventions in the Mathematical Language
In mathematics, we frequently need to work with numbers, these numbers are the most
common mathematical expressions. And, numbers have lots of different names and they are in
simplified form (fewer symbols, fewer operations, better suited to current use and preferred/
style/format)- is extremely important in mathematics. This is the same concept as synonyms in
English (words that have the same or nearly the same) meaning.

Example: Numbers with different names and simplified form

a. 5, 2 + 3, 10÷2 , (6 - 2) + 1, or 1 + 1+ 1 +1+ 1
b. 3 + 3+ 3 + 3 + 3 and 5×3 are both names for the same number, but 5×3 uses fewer
operation.
1
c. 3.25 units versus 3 4 unit (fraction in simplest form is necessary).
1 13
d. We write 2 instead of 26. We usually write fraction in reduced form or simplest form.

III. What is the Grammar of Mathematics?

The grammar of mathematics is the structural rules governing the use of symbols
representing mathematical objects. The main reason for the importance of mathematical
grammar is that statements of mathematics are supposed to be precise.
Mathematical sentences become highly complex if the parts that made them up were not clear
and simple which makes it difficult to understand. Some difficulties in math language are:
(a) The word "is" could mean equality =, inequality (, ≥, , ≤) or membership(∈, ∉ )
in a set;
(b) Different uses of a number; to express quantity (cardinal), to indicate the order
(ordinal), and as a label (nominal);
(c) Mathematical objects may be represented in many ways, such as sets and functions;
and
(d) The words "and' & "or" means different from their English uses.

Example: Express the following using mathematical symbols

a. 3 is the square root of 9
b. 15 is greater than 10
c. 103 is a prime number
Answer:
a. 3 = √9
b. 15  10
c. 103 ∈ 𝑃 where P is a prime number

IV. What are the Basic Concepts and Objects that we use in Mathematics?
To better understand mathematical language, one must have an understanding of at least a few
of the four basic mathematical objects and concepts.
a. Objects in Mathematics are Numbers, Variables, and Operations (unary & binary).
b. Four Basic Concepts are: sets (relationships, operations, properties), relations
(Equivalence relations), functions and binary operations.

1. Operations (Unary or Binary)

A Unary operation is an operation on a single element.

1. Unary operations
a. negative of 5
b. multiplicative inverse of 7
c. Squaring 4
d. finding the square root of 9

2. Binary Operations
A binary operation is an operation that combines two elements of a set to give a single
element.
A binary operation on a set A is a function that takes pairs of elements of A and produces
elements of A from them.
We use the symbol * to denote arbitrary binary operation on a set A.

Example: Binary operation

a. Multiplication of 3 and 4 gives 3 X 4 =12
b. Addition of 3 and 5 is 8 3+5=8
c. the difference of 7 and 2 7-2
d. Divide 21 by 3 21/3

A. Four Properties of binary operations:

1. Commutative Property: For all real numbers x and y.
𝑥∗𝑦 =𝑦∗𝑥
 Example for addition operation: 2+4=4+2
 For example, multiplication on real numbers is said to be commutative since 3 ×
6 = 6 × 3.
2. Associative Property: For all real numbers x, y and z.
x* (y*z) = (x*y)* z
 For example, addition operation: 2 + (4 + 6) = (2 + 4) + 6
 Example for multiplication operation:3 × (6 × 9) = (3 × 6) × 9

3. Existence of Identity element e for all real number x such that

𝑒 ∗ 𝑥 = 𝑥 ∗ 𝑒 = 𝑥.
 The identity element for addition is 0 such that 0 + 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 0 = 𝑥 .
 The identity element for multiplication is 1 where 1 ≠ 0 such that
1×𝑥 = 𝑥×1= 𝑥

4. Existence of Inverse element a for all real number x such that

𝑎 ∗ 𝑥 = 𝑥 ∗ 𝑎 = 𝑒.
 The additive inverse of element 𝑎 is −𝒂 such that
(−𝑎) + 𝑎 = 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0.
 For instance, the additive inverse element of 5 is −𝟓 such that 5 + (−5) =
(−5) + 5 = 0. Adding the number and its inverse (negative) of that number
results to additive identity element 0. The inverse of a number will always be
distinct and unique.

𝟏
 The multiplicative inverse of element 𝑎 is 𝒂 where 𝒂 ≠ 0 (reciprocal of 𝑎) such
1 1
that ×𝑎 = 𝑎×𝑎= 1
𝑎
1 1
 The multiplicative inverse of 5 is 5 × (5) = (5) × 5 = 1. Multiplying the
number and its inverse (reciprocal) of that number results to multiplicative
identity element 1.