MATHEMATICAL

LANGUAGE
AND
SYMBOLS
QUESTION

Is Mathematics a
language?
OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the language, symbols and
conventions of mathematics
2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a
language
3. Perform operations on mathematical
expressions correctly
4. Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful
language
LANGUAGE

Language is a “systematic means of

communicating by the use of sounds or
conventional symbols” (Chen,2010,p.353)
COMPONENTS OF LANGUAGE 5

▪ A vocabulary of symbols or words

▪ A grammar consisting of rules on the use of these
symbols
▪ A community of people who use and understand
these symbols.
▪ A range of meanings that can be communicated
with these symbols.
CHARACTERISTICS 6

Mathematics and English language have many things in common in

terms of structure, the rules in Mathematics are stricter and some
forms are more complicated.
➢ It is PRECISE because it can be stated clearly and be able to make
very fine distinctions .
➢ It is CONCISE because it can be stated briefly and can use
symbols to be able to express.
➢ It is POWERFUL because it is capable of expressing complex ideas
into simpler forms.
LET’S DETERMINE THE SYMBOLS 7
Parts of Speech in Mathematics 8

1. NUMBERS are the very first symbols that can be

used to represent quantity. These are NOUNS
(Objects) in the English language. Nouns can be
constant , such us numbers or expressions with
numbers.

2. OPERATION SYMBOLS like + , ÷ , ^ , and ˅

can act as connectives in a mathematical
sentences.
 9

3. RELATION SYMBOLS such as =, ≤, ≥, ~ , and

inequality symbol are used for comparison and act as
a verb in the mathematical language.

4. GROUPING SYMBOLS such as (), [], and {} are

used to associate groups of numbers and operators.

5. VARIABLES are letters that represent quantities

and act as pronouns.
Elements of the Mathematical Language 10

• Ten digit numbers (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)

• Symbols for operations (+, -, x, ÷)
• Symbols that represent value (x, y, z, etc.)
• Other symbols (≠, <, >, ≥, ,≤, etc.)

Letters often (but not always) have special uses as follows:

Start of the alphabet A, B, C For constants (fixed
value)
From I to N I, J, K, N Positive integers (for
counting)
End of the alphabet X, Y, Z For variables(unknowns)
 11

PHRASE
is a group of words that expresses a concept.
SENTENCE
A group of words that are put together to
mean something.
EXPRESSION
A group number or variable with or without
mathematical operation.
EQUATION
A group number or variable with or without
mathematical operation separated by equal
sign.
EXPRESSION VS. SENTENCE 12

Expression Sentence
Sum of two numbers Sum of two numbers is 11.
𝑥+𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 11

Mathematical Sentence
A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an english
sentence; it is a correct assignment of mathematical symbols
that states a complete thought .
 13

Ideas regarding Mathematical Sentence

• Mathematical Sentences have verbs and connectives

• Truth of Sentences

The notion of truth ( the property of being true or false )

is the fundamental importance in the mathematical
language.
 14

Ideas regarding Mathematical Sentence

English phrase/sentence Mathematical symbols

Product of two numbers 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝐴(𝐵) Expression

Three more than twice a number 2𝑥 + 3 Expression

Two less than half a number is fifteen. 1
Equation
𝑥 − 2 = 15
2
The sum of three distinct numbers is at 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 ≥ 10
least 10
He owns at most 10 cars 𝐶 ≤ 10
The price of the car increased by eight 𝑃 = 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑑 + 0.08𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑑
percent.
Pizza is given to kids for 1/8 each. 1
𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ = 𝑃
8
 15

Identify the following as either expression or sentence.

1) 3𝑥 + 7
2.) 5𝑥 + 2 = 2𝑥 2
3) 𝑥 2
4) 𝑥 2 > 25
5) (𝑥 + 1)2
6) 𝑥 − 1 = 3
7) The product of two numbers
8) The sum of three integers is greater than eleven.
9) Half of the sum of twenty and ten.
10) The sum of two numbers is half their product.
 16

The Grammar of Mathematics

It is the structural rules governing the use of symbols representing

mathematical objects.

∈= “is an element” , “belongs to”, “is a member of”

is = could mean equality, inequality or membership.
 17

BASIC CONCEPTS OF
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE:
SETS, RELATIONS,
FUNCTIONS, AND BINARY
OPERATIONS
 18

SETS
➢ is a collection of well-defined objects which are called
elements of the set. If an object a belongs to a particular
set S then write a ∈ S. If a is not an element of the set,
then write a ∉ S.
 19

REPRESENTING SETS

1. The Roster Method list down all the elements.

Examples
Set A is the set of counting numbers less than 6.
Set Notation: A= {1,2,3,4,5}
This is a finite set with cardinality of 5.

Set B is the set of positive even integers greater than 8.

Set Notation: B = { 10,12,14,16,18,20…}
B is an infinite set which uses dots or ellipsis to denote
infinite sequence.
 20

2. Set Builder Notation presents the elements by stating their

common properties . It is also useful when describing infinite sets.

Example :
Set A is the set of counting numbers greater than 6.
Set Notation: A = {x|x ∈ 𝑁 and x > 6}

Where N is the set of counting numbers.

Set B = 𝑥 𝑥 ≥ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≤ 1
 21

TYPE OF SETS

1. Empty Sets = The set, which has no elements, is also called a null
set or void set. It is denoted by {}, (), ∅ (phi).

2. Finite and Infinite Sets = A set that has a finite number of

elements is known as a finite set, whereas the set whose elements can't
be estimated, but has some figure or number, which is large to precise in
a set, is known as infinite set.
 22

3. Singleton Sets = The set which has just one element is named a
singleton set.

4. Equal Sets = If every element of set A is also the elements of set B

and if every element of set B is also the elements of set A, then sets A
and B are called equal sets. It means set A and set B have equivalent
elements and that we can denote it as: A = B

5. Subsets = A set S is said to be a subset of set T if the elements

of set S belong to set T, or you can say each element of set S is
present in set T. Subset of a set is denoted by the symbol (⊂) and
written as S ⊂ T.
 23

6. Power Sets = The set of all subsets is known as power sets. We

know the empty set is a subset of all sets, and each set is a subset of
itself.
Taking an example of set X = {2,3}. From the above-given statements,
we can write,
{} is a subset of {2,3}
{2} is a subset of {2,3}
{3} is a subset of {2,3}
{2,3} is also a subset of {2,3}
Therefore, power set of X = {2,3}
P(X) = {{},{2},{3},{2,3}}
7. Universal Sets = A set that contains all the elements of other sets24 is
called a universal set. Generally, it is represented as ‘U.’
For example, set A = {1,2,3}, set B = {3,4,5,6}, and C = {5,6,7,8,9}.
Then, we will write the universal set as, U = {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,}.

8. Disjoint Sets = If two sets X and Y do not have any common

elements, and their intersection results in zero(0), then set X and Y are
called disjoint sets. It can be represented as; X ∩ Y = 0.

9. Union of Sets = The union of two sets consists of all their elements.
It is denoted by (⋃).
For example, set A = {2,3,7} and set B = { 4,5,8}.
Then the union of set A and set B will be: A ⋃ B = {2,3,7,4,5,8}
 25

10. Intersection of Sets = The set of all elements, which are common
to all the given sets, gives an intersection of sets. It is denoted by ⋂.For
example, set A = {2,3,7} and set B = {2,4,9}.So, A ⋂ B = {2}.

11. Difference of Sets = The difference between set S and set T is

such that it has only those elements which are in the set S and not in
the set T.
S – T = {p : p ∊ S and p ∉ T}Similarly,
T – S = {p: p ∊ T and p ∉ S}.
 26

RELATIONS

➢ is a correspondence between two things or quantities. It is a set of

ordered pairs such that the set of all first coordinates of the ordered
pairs is called Domain and the set of all the second coordinates of the
ordered pairs is called Range.

➢ A relation maybe expressed as a statement , arrow diagram, table,

equation, set builder notation, and graph.

R = { (1,2),(1,3), (2,2), (3,1), (3,3)}

27
 28

TYPE OF RELATIONS

A. ONE TO ONE RELATION

B. ONE TO MANY RELATION

C. MANY TO ONE RELATION

D. MANY TO MANY RELATION

An Equivalence Relations has the following properties 29

1. Reflexive = a relation is said to be reflexive, if (a,a) ∈ R , for every

a∈A
2. Symmetric = a relation is said to be symmetric, if (a,b) ∈ R, then
(b,a) ∈ R.
3. Transitive = A relation is said to be transitive if (a,b) ∈ R and (b,c) ∈
R, then (a,c) ∈ R.

R = { (1,1), (1,3), (2,2), (3,1), (3,3)} is an equivalence relation

from set A= {1,2,3}
Functions 30

➢ A function relates an input to an output. To denote this

relationship, we use the functional notation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).
Important things.
1. "...each element..." means that every element in X is related to some
element in Y. We say that the function covers X (relates every element of
it but some elements of Y might not be related to at all, which is fine.)
2. "...exactly one..." means that a function is single valued. It will not give
back 2 or more results for the same input. So "f(2) = 7 or 9" is not
right!
 31

Which of the following is a function?

a. A = { (-2, 4), (-1, 1), (1, 1), (2, 4) }

b. B = { (4, -2), (1, -1), (1, 1), (4, 2) }

Binary operation 32

A binary operation is an operation that takes two input elements from a

set (called operands) and gives a unique result that also belongs to the
same set.

A binary operation *, on the set of real numbers, is a rule which

combines any two real numbers a and b and gives a real number.

Simple example is the operation addition .

In “3 + 5 = 8” the operation “+” takes two real numbers 3 and 5 and
gives the result 8 which is also a real number.
 Common binary operation: 33

* can be +, −, ×, ÷
a*b
a*b
• 4+2=6 4*2=
• 5−3=2 5*3=
• 6 × 4 = 24 6*4=
• 8÷2=4 8*2=
In the set of real numbers R , the operations: addition ,
subtraction, multiplication, division is a binary operation since
the sum, difference, product, quotient of two or more real
numbers is a real number.
Example 34

If a * b = 3a – 2b + ab

So 4 * 1 = 3 (4) – 2 (1) + (4) (1)

= 12 – 2 + 4
= 10 + 4
= 14
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC 35

Symbolic Logic is a powerful tool for analysis and communication in

mathematics. It represents the natural language and the mathematical
language with symbols and variables.

Propositional Calculus
A proposition is a complete declarative sentence that is either true or
false, but not both

Compound Propositions
Propositions built up by combining propositions using propositional
connectives are called compound propositions
Propositional Connectives 36

is an operation that combines two propositions to yield a

new one whose truth value depends only on the truth
values of the two original propositions.

The main parts of symbolic logic are statements and

connectives. The following table shows some basic
propositional logic with their symbols.
Simple Proposition
-is a declarative statement that cannot be broken down any
further into other component propositions. In other words, simple
propositions are sentences having one thought. Simple propositions
are also called atomic propositions because they are the building
blocks of propositional logic.
Examples
1. Squares are rectangles.
2. Mia loves math.
3. Scarlet plays violin.
4. Manny Pacquiao is a famous boxer.
Compound Proposition
-is a proposition formed by combining two or more simple
categorical propositions by some logical connectors. Some logical
connectors. Some logical connectors are used in compound
propositions are if not, and, or, if-then, and others.

Examples
1. If you study hard, then you will get good grades.
2. A basketball team must be good in defense or they will lose.
3. Marcos can vote for presidential election if and only if he is a
Filipino citizen.
 39

Connectives Propositiona Symbols Example Read

l Logic
Not Negation ~ ~p Not p

And/But/Yet Conjunction ^ p^q p and q

Or Disjunction ˅ p˅q p or q

Implies Conditional ⇒ p⇒q If p then q

(only if)
If and only Biconditional ⟺ p⟺q p if only if q
if/Equivalent to
EXAMPLE: Let 𝑝 = Anna is a MAPEH teacher
Let 𝑞 = Anna is LET passer
Write each symbolism in English sentence.
1. 𝒑 ∧ 𝒒 Anna is a MAPEH teacher and she is LET passer.
2. 𝒑 → 𝒒 Anna is a MAPEH teacher then she is LET
passer.
3. 𝒒 → 𝒑 Anna is LET passer then she is a MAPEH
teacher.
4. ~𝒒 ∨ ~𝒑 Anna is not LET passer or she is not a MAPEH
teacher.
5. ~𝒑 𝒒 Anna is not a MAPEH teacher if and only if she
is a LET passer.
 Introductions
To determine whether this resulting proposition is true or
false, a scheme for listing all possible truth values are used.

Truth table
- is a table that describe that conditions in which a
proposition is true or false. The column representing the whole
statement. The rows represent the possible combinations of
truthfulness and falsity propositions.

1. Conjunction

- This is a proposition which is the result of combining two

other propositions called conjuncts with connective word “and”.
Conjunctions
TRUTH TABLE

𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F

If one of the statement is false, then the proposition is false

Examples

1. Three is odd and it is a prime number.

𝒑 ∧
𝒒

𝑻 𝑻
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
𝑻 T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F
Examples
2. 3 and -3 are roots of 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = 0.

𝒑 ∧ 𝒒
𝑭 𝑻
𝑭
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F
2. Disjunction
- This is a proposition which is the result of combining
two other propositions called disjuncts with connective word
“or”.
TRUTH TABLE

𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
If one of the statement is true, then the proposition is
true.
Examples
1. Tarsiers are nocturnal primates or it is arboreal mammals

𝒑 ∨ 𝒒
𝑻 𝑻
𝑻
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
Examples
2. A group of dogs is a herd or a group of horses is a flock.

∨ 𝒒
𝒑
𝑭 𝑭
𝑭 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
3. Implication
- This is a proposition is called conditional proposition,
is a proposition which is a result of combining a hypothesis or
antecedent to a conclusion or consequent in the form of
if…,then…
TRUTH TABLE

𝒑 𝒒 𝒑→𝒒
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
The proposition is false only if the antecedent or if part
is true and the consequent is false.
Examples
Suppose that Angie is a Grade 12 student. Determine if the
implication is true or false.
1. If Angie is a Grade 12 student, then she is a SHS student.

𝒑 → 𝒒

𝑻 𝑻 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑→𝒒
𝑻 T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
Examples
Suppose that Angie is a Grade 12 student. Determine if the
implication is true or false.

2. If Angie is a Grade 12 student, then she is working as a doctor

𝒑 → 𝒒

𝑻 𝑭 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑→𝒒
𝑭 T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
4. Equivalence
- This is a proposition is called bi-conditional
proposition, is a proposition which is a result of combining
two propositions in the form if and only if…
TRUTH TABLE

𝒑 𝒒 𝒑 𝒒
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T
If the propositions are either both false or both true, the
combined propositions are true.
Examples
1. A square is a polygon if and only if the square is rectangle

𝒑 𝒒
𝑻 𝑻
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑 𝒒 𝑻
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T
 Examples
2. The diagonals of a square are parallel if and only if the square is quadrilateral.

𝒑 𝒒

𝑭 𝑻
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑 𝒒 𝑭
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T
5. NEGATION
- This is a proposition is a result of reversing the truth
value of given proposition.
TRUTH TABLE
𝒑 −𝒑
T F
F T

If the proposition is negated, then the answer is the

opposite of the proposition.
Examples
1. Manila is the capital of the Philippines. 𝒑
Negate: Manila is not the capital of the Philippines. ~𝒑

2. Two is an odd number. 𝒑

Negate: Two is not an odd number. ~𝒑

3. Everyone in Visayas speaks Cebuano. 𝒑

Negate: Not everyone in Visayas Speak Cebuano ~𝒑
CONDITIONAL PROPOSITIONS
Conditional Propositions: p ⟶ q
Converse: q ⟶ p
Inverse: ∼p ⟶ ∼q
Contrapositive: ∼q ⟶ ∼p

Example
Conditional Propositions: If a number is even, then it is
divisible by 2.

Converse: If it is divisible by 2, then the number is even.

Inverse: If a number is not even, then it is not divisible by 2

Contrapositive: If it is not divisible by 2, then the number is

not even
Example on Compound Proposition
Let p and q be propositions. Construct the truth table for
the compound proposition (p ⟶ q) ^ (q⟶p).
TRUTH TABLE
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑⟶𝒒 𝒒⟶𝒑 (𝒑⟶𝒒) ^(𝒒⟶𝒑)
T T T T T
T F F T F
F T T F F
F F T T T
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑→𝒒
T T T 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
T F F T T T
F T T T F F
F F T
F T F
EXAMPLE
Consider the compound proposition
[(p ⟶ r) ^ (q ⟶ r)] ⟶ [(p ˅ q) ⟶ r].
Construct its truth table.

𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒
T T T T T T
T F T T F F
F T T F T F
F F F F F F
 ACTIVITY 𝒑 𝒒
Construct the Truth Table and determine the T T
truth value of each proposition. T F
F T
F F
1. ~(𝑝 ∧ ~𝑞) 5. ~(𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑
T T
2. ~(𝑝 ⟷ ~𝑞) T F
𝒑 𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒 F T

T T T F F
3. ~(𝑝 ⟷ 𝑞) T F T 𝒑 𝒒 𝒑
T T T
F T T
T F F
4. ~(𝑝 ⟶ 𝑞) F F F
F T F
F F T