Rizal Technological University

Module 3
Mathematics in
the Modern
World

Engr. Kristine Joy Castillo-Delos Santos

Speaking Mathematically
(Variables and the Language of
Sets, Relations and Functions)
 Language

•Language is a systematic way of

communication with other people use of
sounds or conventions symbols.
 Why Language is important?

• Language was invented to communicate ideas to others.

• The language of mathematics was designed:
ü numbers
ü perform operations
ü sets
ü functions
 Common Symbols
used in Mathematics
• The ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3 ... 9
• Operations: +, -, × , ÷
• Sets: ∩, ∪, ⊂, ⊃
• Variables: a, b, c, x and y
• Special symbols: =, <, >, ≤, ≥, �
• Logic symbols: ~, ^, v, →, ↔
• Set Notations: N, W, Z, Q, R, C
 Common
Mathematics
Symbol
Variables
Variables

ü It is represented by a letter,
like x or y.
ü A symbol for a value we
don't know yet.
Advantage of Using
Variables
ü It allows you to give a
temporary name to what you
are seeking so that you can
p e r f o r m c o n c r e t e
computations with it to help
discover its possible values.
Example
Is there a number with the following property:

➤ Doubling it and adding 3 gives the same

result as squaring it?

2x + 3 = x²
 Advantage of Using Variables

To illustrate the second use of variables,

consider the statement:

No matter what number might be chosen, "if it is

greater than 2, then its square is greater than 4.
Writing Sentences
Using Variables
ü Use variables to rewrite the
following sentences more
formally.
 Are there numbers with the property that the sum of their
squares equals the square of their sum?

x² + y² = (x + y)²

ü Are there numbers x and y with the property x² + y² = (x + y)².

ü Are there numbers x and y such that x² + y² = (x + y)².
ü Do there exist any numbers x and y such that x2 + y2 = (x + y)².
 Important Kinds of Mathematical Statements

• Universal Statement- says that a certain property is true for all

elements in a set. "For all"

Example: All positive numbers are greater than zero.

 Important Kinds of Mathematical Statements

• Conditional Statement- says if one thing is true then some other

thing also has to be true. "If-then"

Example: If 378 is divisible by 18, then 378 is divisible by 6.

 Important Kinds of Mathematical Statements

• Existential Statement- says that there is at least one thing for

which the property is true.

Example: There is a prime number that is even.

Language of Sets
 Sets

A set is a well-defined collection of distinct objects.

• It usually represented by capital letters.
• The objects of a set are separated by commas. The objects that belong in a set are the
elements, or members of the set.
• It can be represented by listing its element between braces.
• A set is said to be well-defined if the elements in a set are specifically listed.

EXAMPLES:
A = {a, e, i, o, u}
 Notation

§ If S is a set, the notation

ü x ∈ S means that x is an element of S
ü x ∉ S means that x is not an element of S
 Notation

§ A variation of notation is used to describe a very large set.

ü {1, 2, 3,..., 100} refer to set of all integers from 1 to 100.
ü {1, 2, 3,...} refer to set of all positive integers.

ü The symbol ... is called an ellipses and is read "and so forth".

 Using the Set -
Roster Notation
• A set may be specified using the set-
roster notation by writing all
elements between braces.
 Using the Set -
Roster Notation
• Example:
Let A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {3, 1, 2), and
C = {1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3).

What are the element of A, B, and C?

How are A, B, and C related?
• Example:
Let A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {3, 1, 2), and
C = {1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3).
What are the element of A, B, and C?
How are A, B, and C related?

Answer:
A, B, C have exactly the same three
elements, 1, 2, 3. Therefore A, B, and C
are simply represented in different ways.
 Using the Set -
Roster Notation
• Example:
Is {0} = 0?

Answer:
{0} ≠ 0 because {0} is a set with one
element, namely 0, whereas 0 is just the
symbol that represents the number zero.
 Using the Set -
Roster Notation
• Example:
How many elements are in the set {1,
{1}}?

Answer:
The set {1, {1}} has two elements: 1 and
the set whose only element is 1.
 Definitions Regarding Sets

A set is finite if the number of elements is countable.

EXAMPLES:
A = {even numbers less than 10}
B = {days in a week}
 Definitions Regarding Sets

A set is infinite if the numbers of elements cannot be counted.

EXAMPLES:
A = {even numbers greater than 20}
B = {odd numbers}
C= {stars in the sky}
Equal and Equivalent
Sets
ü Equal sets are set with exactly the
same elements and cardinality.

Example:
A = {c, a, r, e}
B = {r, a, c, e}
Equal and Equivalent
Sets
ü Equivalent sets are set with the same
number of elements or cardinality.

Example:
A = {a, e, i, o, u}
B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
Joint and Disjoint
Sets
ü Jo i nt set s a re set wi t h c o m m o n
elements (intersection).

Example:
A = {c, a, r, e}
B = {b, e, a, r, s}
 Joint Sets

Example:
A = {c, a, r, e}
B = {b, e, a, r, s} a,
c, a, r, e r, b, e, a, r, s
e
Joint and Disjoint
Sets
ü Disjoint sets are set with no common
elements.

Example:
A = {a, b, c)
B = {e, f, g}
 Disjoint Sets

Example:
A = {a, b, c)
B = {e, f, g}
a, b, c e, f, g
Let’s Talk!
E-mail
kjcastillo@rtu.edu.ph

Mobile Number
+63 950 593 7357

Consultation Hours
M-W-F
6:00pm - 07:30pm