Mathematical Language and Symbols: Mark Ronel R. Ocbian

Republic of the Philippines
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Nabua, Camarines Sur
Mathematical Language and

Symbols
Prepared by:
MARK RONEL R. OCBIAN
Instructor 1
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, the students must be able
to:
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, its basic
concepts and logic; and
4. appreciate that mathematics is a
useful language.
Key Concepts
The Language, Symbols, Syntax and Rules
of Mathematics
The Language of Mathematics is the
system used by mathematician to communicate
mathematical ideas among themselves.
This language consists of a substrate of

some natural language (for example English)
using technical terms and grammatical
conventions that are peculiar to mathematical
discourse, supplemented by a highly
specialized symbolic notation for mathematical
formulas.
Mathematics as a language has

symbols to express formula or to
represent a constant. It has a syntax to
make expression well-formed to make the
characters and symbols clear and valid
that do not violate the rules.
Mathematical symbols can designate

numbers (constant); variables, operations,
functions, brackets, punctuation, and
grouping to help determine order of
operations, and other aspects of logical
syntax.
A mathematical concept is
independent of the symbol chosen to
represent it. In short, convention
dictates the meaning.
The Language of Mathematics

(Wikipedia) makes it easy to express the
kinds of symbols, syntax and rules that
mathematicians like to do and characterized
by the following:
a. Precise (able to make very fine

distinctions)
Example. The use of mathematical
symbol is only done based on its meaning
and purpose. Like + means add, - means
subtract × multiply and ÷ means divide.
b. Concise (able to say things briefly)

Example. The long English
sentence can be shortened using
mathematical symbols. Eight plus two
equals ten which means 8 + 2 = 10.
c. Powerful (able to express complex

thoughts with relative ease)
Example. The application of critical
thinking and problem solving skill requires
the comprehension, analysis and reasoning
to obtain the correct solution.
Writing Mathematical Language as an

Expression or a Sentence
In mathematics, an expression or
mathematical expression is a finite combination
of symbols that is well-formed according to rules
that depend on the context.
It is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols used to represent a
mathematical object of interest. An
expression does not state a complete
thought; it does not make sense to ask if an
expression is true or false.
The most common expression types are

numbers, sets, and functions. Numbers
have lots of different names: for example,
the expressions:
5 2+3 10/2 (6-2)+2 1+1+1+1+1
all look different, but are all just

different names for the same number.
This simple idea-that numbers have
lots of different names-is extremely
important in mathematics.
The basic syntax for entering mathematical

formulas or expressions in the system enables
you to quickly enter expressions using 2-D
notations. The most common mistake is to
forget parentheses “( )”. For example, the
expression: 1/(x+1) is different from 1/x+1 which
the system interprets as (1/x)+1.
Examples: The use of expressions ranges

from the simple:
8x – 5 (linear polynomial)
7x² + 4x – 10 (quadratic polynomial)
x−2
(rational fraction)
x2 +12
To the complex:
1 2π dθ
‫׬‬
2π 0 a+b sinθ
For example, in the usual notation of arithmetic,
the expression 1 + 2 x 3 is well-formed, but the
following expression is not: x4) x+,/y.
On the other hand, a mathematical sentence

is the analogue of an English sentence; it is
correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
that states a complete thought. Sentences have
verbs. In the mathematical sentence “3 + 4 = 7”,
the verb is “=“.
A sentence can be (always) true,

(always) false, or sometimes true/
sometimes false. For example, the
sentence “1 + 2 = 3” is true. The
sentence “1 + 2 = 4” is false.
The sentence “x = 2” is sometimes

true/ sometimes false: it is true when x
is 2, and false otherwise. The sentence
“x + 3 = 3 + x” is (always) true , no
matter what the number is chosen for x.
Mathematical Convention
A Mathematical Convention is a fact, name,
notation, or usage which is generally agreed
upon by mathematicians. For instance, the fact
that one evaluates multiplication before
addition in the expression (2 + 3) x 4 is merely
convention.
There is nothing inherently significant

about the order of operations.
Mathematicians abide by conventions in
order to allow other mathematicians to
understand what they write without
constantly having to redefine basic terms.
The following are commonly used in the order of

operations:
Symbol Meaning Example
+ Add 3 + 7 =10
- Subtract 5–2=3
× Multiply 4 × 3 = 12
÷ Divide 20 ÷ 5 = 4

/ Divide 20/5 = 4
π pi A = πr²
ꝏ infinity ꝏ is endless
= equals 1+1=2
≈ Approximately π ≈ 3.14
equal to
≠ Not equal to π≠2

< ≤ Less than, less than 2<3
or equal
> ≥ Greater than, greater 5>1
than or equal
√ Square root (radical) 𝟒=2

° degrees 20°
∴ therefore A=B∴B=A
Performs Operations on Mathematical

Expressions Correctly
In simplifying mathematical expressions, the
following order of operations is one critical point
to observe. It is the set of rules that determines
which operations should be done before or after
others.
Before, we used to have the MDAS, that

stands for Multiplication, Division, Addition
and Subtractions. It was changed to use
PEMDAS which means Parentheses,
Exponents, Multiplication and Division and
Addition and Subtraction.
But now, most scientific calculators

follow BODMAS, that is Bracket,
Order, Division and Multiplication,
Addition and Subtraction.
BODMAS Explanation Example PEMDAS
2(3+4)
These act a sort of override for
= 2 x 7 = 14 Parenthesis
B P
Brackets
the rest of the order of Not
{} operation. Work out everything

=2x3+4
= 10
()
inside the brackets first
Anything to the power of 2x² Exponents

anything else goes next. This
O E
= 2*x*x
y
Order tends to help to make
(or indices) complicated expressions look a
Not
=2*2*
x
bit neater; if things were done x*x
y in a different order you’d need
x a lot more brackets.
These go AT THE SAME
1÷2x3
TIME. They are of equal
Nabua, Camarines Sur =½x3
importance and should be = 3/2
M
applied from left to right.
D This is because
Divisio multiplication and division
n and are inverse operations and
Multipli essentially the same thing.
Not
𝟏
(𝟐𝒙𝟑)
1/6
=
Multiplic
ation
and
D
Division
M cation Dividing by 2 is the same so

multiplying ½ so they have
the same importance or
changing the form of an
equation would change the
result and this is not how
math's works.
Like with division and
multiplication,
A A
addition and 3–2+1 Addition
Addition
and
subtraction have = (3 – 2) + 1
=2
and
subtracti
Subtracti equal importance so Not on
on should be done at the = 3 – (2 + 1)
=0
same time (left to
S right). Again they are

inverse operations,
adding -2 is the as
subtracting 2.
S
The order of operations or

BODMAS/PEMDAS is merely a set of
rules that prioritize the sequence of
operations starting from the most
important to the least important.
Step 1: Do as much as you can

to simplify everything inside the
parenthesis first
Step 2: Simplify every

exponential number in the
numerical expression
Step 3: Multiply and divide

whichever comes first, from left
to right
Step 4: Add and subtract

whichever comes first, from left
to right.
Examples:
1. Evaluate: (11 – 5) × 2 -3 + 1
Solution:
Remove the parenthesis: 6 × 2 – 3 + 1
Multiply: 12 – 3 + 1
Subtract: 9 + 1
Add: 10
2. Simplify: 4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)] ÷ 2

Solution:
4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)] ÷ 2
4 – [4 -2(3)] ÷ 2
4 – (4 – 6) ÷ 2
4 – (-2) ÷ 2
4+6÷2
4+3
7
3. Simplify: 4{3 + 2[6 -3(4 – 9) + 3] – 12} + 4

Solution:
4{3 + 2[6 -3(4 – 9) + 3] – 12} + 4
4{3 + 2[6 -3(-5) + 3} – 12} + 4
4[3 + 2(6 + 15 + 3) – 12] + 4
4[3 + 2(24) – 12] + 4
4(3 + 48 -12) + 4
4(39) + 4
156 + 4
160
4. Simplify: 14 – 4{3 -2[5 + 2(12 – 9) + 3]} + 8

Solution:
14 – 4{3 -2[5 + 2(12 – 9) + 3]} + 8
14 – 4{3 -2[5 +2(3) + 3]} + 8
14 – 4[3 -2(5 + 6 + 3)] + 8
14 – 4[3 -2(14)] + 8
14 – 4(3 – 28) + 8
14 -4(-25) + 8
14 + 100 + 8
122
The Basic Concepts of Mathematics

Set
A set is a collection of well-defined
objects that contains no duplicates. The
objects in the set are called the elements of
the set.
To describe a set, we use braces { }, and

use capital letters to represent it.
Examples: the following are examples of sets:
1. The bank accounts in a bank.
2. The set of natural numbers N = {1, 2, 3,…}
3. 3. The integers numbers Z = {…,-3, -2, -1, 0,
1, 2, …}
The three dots in enumerating the

elements of the set are called ellipsis and
indicate a continuing pattern. A finite set
contains elements that can be counted and
terminates at certain natural number,
otherwise, it is infinite set.
Specification of Sets
There are three main ways to specify a set:
1. List notation/Roster Method – by listing
all its members or elements. List names of
elements of a set, separate them by
commas and enclose them in braces:
Examples:
1. A = {1, 12, 45}
2. B = {George Washington, Bill Clinton}
3. C = {a, b, c, d}
2. Predicate Notation/Rule Method/Set-

Builder Notation – by stating a property of
its elements. It has a property that the
members of the set share (a condition or a
predicate which holds for the members of
this set).
Examples:
1. A = {x/x is a natural number and x < 8}
means “the set of all x such that x is a
natural number and is less than 8 “
2. B = {x/x is a letter of Russian

Alphabet}
3. C = {x/x is a student of CSPC and x
is older than 25}
3. Recursive Rules – by defining a set

of rules which generates or defines its
members.
Examples:
1. The set E of even numbers greater than 3

2. 4 ∈ E
3. Nothing else belongs to E.
Equal Sets
-two sets are equal if they contain
exactly the same elements.
Examples:
1. {3, 8, 9} = {9, 8, 3}
2. {7, 7, 7, 6} = {6, 7}
3. {1, 3, 5, 7} ≠ {3, 7}
Equivalent Sets
- two sets are equivalent if they
have the same number of elements
(cardinality).
Example:
1. A = {1, 4, 5} is equivalent to B = {2, 6, 9},
because the cardinality of both A and B are
equal.
2. C = {a, f, g} is not equivalent to D = {d, e, f, i},
because the cardinality of C and D are equal.
Universal Set
- a set that contains all elements
considered in a particular situation
and denoted by U.
Example: The Universal set

a. Suppose we list the digits only.
Then, U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9}, since U includes all the digits.
b. Suppose we consider the whole

number numbers.
Then, U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4,…} since
U contains all whole numbers.
Subsets
A set A is called a subset of set B if
every element of A is also an element
of B. “A is a subset of B is written as A
⊆ B.
Example: Subsets
1. A = {7, 9} is a subset of B = {6, 9, 7}
2. D = {10, 8, 6} is a subset of G = {10, 8, 6}
Proper Subset
- a proper subset is a subset
that is not equal to the original set,
otherwise improper subset.
Example:
Given A = {3, 5, 7} then the proper subsets

are { }, {3}, {5}, {7}, {5, 7}, {3, 5}, {3, 7}. The
improper subset is {3, 5, 7}
Cardinality of the Set

- it is the number of distinct elements
belonging to a finite set. It is also called
the cardinal number of the set A denoted
by n(A) or card (A) and A .
Power Set
- it is the family of all the subjects of
A denoted by Power (A). Given set A =
{x, y}, the Power (A) = { ∅, {x}, {y}, {x,
y}} or {x/x is a subset of A}.
Empty Set or Null Set (∅ or { })

- a set which has no members or
elements at all. A set with only one
member or element is called a
singleton or a singleton set.
Operation on Sets
Union is an operation for sets A and b in
which a set is formed that consists of all the
elements included in A or B or both denoted
by ∪ as A ∪ B.
Examples:
1. Given U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
A = {1, 3, 5, 7}
B = {2, 4, 6, 8}
C = {1, 2}
Find the following:
a. A ∪ B b. A ∪ C c. B ∪ C
Solutions:
a. A ∪ B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
b. A ∪ C = {1, 2, 3, 5, 7}
c. B ∪ C = {1, 2, 4, 6, 8}
Intersection
-is the set containing all
elements common to both A and B,
denoted by ∩.
Examples:
Given U = {a, b, c, d, e}
A = {c, d, e} B = {a, c, e}
C = {a} D = {e}
Find the following:
a. B ∩ C b. A ∩ C c. (A ∩ B) ∩ D
Solutions:
a. B ∩ C = {a}
b. A ∩ C = ∅
c. A ∩ B = {c, e}
(A ∩ B) ∩ D = {e}
Complementation
- is an operation on set that
must be performed in reference to
a universal set, denoted by A’
Example: Given U = {a, b, c, d, e}

and A = {c, d, e}
Find: A’
Solution:
A’ = {a, b}
Practice Problems:
1. Given: U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
A = {1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9}
B = {2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10}
C = {1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10}
Find the following:
a. (A ∩ B)’ ∪ C b. A’ ∩ (B’ ∪ C)
c. [A ∩ (B ∪ C)]’
d. C’ ∪ (A’ ∩ B)’
Assignment
Solve the following:
1. Given: U = {a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j}
A = {a, b, d, f, g, i, j}
B = {b, c, e, g, h, i, j}
C = {a, c, d, f, h, j}
Find:
a. [A ∪ (B ∩ C)’] ∪ A
b. (A ∩ B’) ∪ (C’ ∩ A)’
c. [(A’ ∪ B) ∩ C]’ ∪ (A ∪ C)’
2. Given: U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}

A = {1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}
B = {2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12}
C = {1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12}
D = {2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11}
Find:
a. [D ∪ (B’ ∩ C)’] ∪ A
b. (A ∩ B)’ ∪ (C’ ∩ D)’
c. [(A’ ∪ B) ∩ C]’ ∪ (D ∪ C)’

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Republic of the Philippines

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Mathematical Language and

3. perform operations on mathematical

This language consists of a substrate of

Mathematics as a language has

Mathematical symbols can designate

The Language of Mathematics

a. Precise (able to make very fine

b. Concise (able to say things briefly)

c. Powerful (able to express complex

Writing Mathematical Language as an

The most common expression types are

all look different, but are all just

The basic syntax for entering mathematical

Examples: The use of expressions ranges

On the other hand, a mathematical sentence

A sentence can be (always) true,

The sentence “x = 2” is sometimes

There is nothing inherently significant

The following are commonly used in the order of

Symbol Meaning Example

Symbol Meaning Example

√ Square root (radical) 𝟒=2

Performs Operations on Mathematical

Before, we used to have the MDAS, that

But now, most scientific calculators

{} operation. Work out everything

Anything to the power of 2x² Exponents

M cation Dividing by 2 is the same so

S right). Again they are

The order of operations or

Step 1: Do as much as you can

Step 2: Simplify every

Step 3: Multiply and divide

Step 4: Add and subtract

2. Simplify: 4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)] ÷ 2

3. Simplify: 4{3 + 2[6 -3(4 – 9) + 3] – 12} + 4

4. Simplify: 14 – 4{3 -2[5 + 2(12 – 9) + 3]} + 8

The Basic Concepts of Mathematics

To describe a set, we use braces { }, and

The three dots in enumerating the

2. Predicate Notation/Rule Method/Set-

2. B = {x/x is a letter of Russian

3. Recursive Rules – by defining a set

1. The set E of even numbers greater than 3

Example: The Universal set

b. Suppose we consider the whole

Given A = {3, 5, 7} then the proper subsets

Cardinality of the Set

Empty Set or Null Set (∅ or { })

Example: Given U = {a, b, c, d, e}

2. Given: U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}

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