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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
Presentation of Content
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
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.
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. 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.
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.