Mathematical

Language and Symbols

1.1 The Language of Mathematics
1.2 Expressions vs. Sentences
1.3 Unary and Binary Operations
1.4 Some Elementary Logic
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, student is expected to:

1. Discuss the language, symbol, and conventions

used in mathematics;
2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a
language;
3. Evaluate mathematical expressions correctly;
and
4. Recognizes that mathematics is a useful
language.
The Language of Mathematics
Imagine the following scenario: you’re in math class,
and the instructor passes a piece of paper to each
student. It is announced that the paper contains
Study Strategies for Students of Mathematics;
you are to read it and make comments. Upon
glancing at the paper, however, you observe that it is
written in a foreign language that you do not
understand!

Is the instructor being fair?

Characteristics of the Mathematics
Language.
The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the
kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to express. It
is:
• precise (able to make very fine distinctions);
• concise (able to say things briefly);
• powerful (able to express complex thoughts with
relative ease).
The language of mathematics can be learned, but requires
the efforts needed to learn any foreign language.
Example:
English statement:
“The sum of two real numbers is also a
real number”

In mathematical notation:

∀𝒂, 𝒃 ∈ ℝ, 𝒂 + 𝒃 ∈ ℝ
Math is a symbolic language!
•∑ - the sum of or summation of
•∃ - there exist
• ∀- for every or for any
• ∈- element of (member of)
• ℝ- sets of real number
• ℕ- sets of Natural numbers
Expressions vs. Sentences
•ASENTENCE must contain a complete
thought. Similarly, a mathematical
sentence must state a complete thought.

• An
EXPRESSION is a name give to a
mathematical object of interest.
 Truth of Sentence

• Mathematical
sentences may either be
TRUE or FALSE but not BOTH!
Let’s try!
Determine whether the following math sentences are
TRUE or FALSE! But first, read the statements in English.

∀𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ! ≥ 0 TRUE
The square of any real number x is greater than or equal to zero.

∀𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 + 𝑦 ! = 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 ! TRUE

For any two real numbers x,y, the square of their sum is equal to the sum of
their squares plus twice their product

∃𝑚, 𝑛 ∈ ℤ, 𝑚 − 𝑛 ≤ 𝑚 + 𝑛 TRUE
There exist integers m, n such that m minus n is less than or equal to m plus n.

∀𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℚ, 𝑎𝑏 = 0 ⟹ (𝑎 = 0⋁𝑏 = 0) TRUE

For all rational numbers a, b, if their product is zero, then either a is zero or be
equals zero
Unary and Binary Operation

Not all operations in mathematics

involve two operands or numbers.
Unary Operation
Only involves ONE value.
Example:

−5
sin 𝑥
cos 45°
𝜋
tan
3
Binary Operations

• Take two values!

• An
operation is binary if it takes two
real numbers as arguments to produce
another real number.
Properties of Binary Operations
(Addition and Multiplication)
• Closure of Binary Operations
The product and the sum of any two real
numbers is also a real number.

• Commutativity of Binary Operations

∀𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥 (Addition)
∀𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ) 𝑦 = 𝑦 ) 𝑥 (Multiplication)
Properties of Binary Operations
(Addition and Multiplication)
• Associativity of Binary Operations
∀𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 - Addition
∀𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ) 𝑦 ) 𝑧 = 𝑥 ) 𝑦 ) 𝑧 - Multiplication

• Distributivity of Binary Operations

∀𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑧(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 𝑧𝑥 + 𝑧𝑦
Properties of Binary Operations
(Addition and Multiplication)
• Identity Elements of Binary Operations
∀𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 + 𝑒 = 𝑒 + 𝑥 = 𝑥 - Addition
For addition the identity element e is zero (0).
• Inverse of Binary Operations
∀𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 + 9 − 𝑥) = −𝑥 + 𝑥 = 0