Mathematics in the

Modern World
Mathematics as a Language
• Language is very powerful. It is used to express our
emotions, thoughts, and ideas. However, if the recipient of
the message cannot understand you, then there is no
communication at all. It is very important that both of you
understand the Language. Mathematics is very hard for
others to study because they are very overwhelmed with
the numbers, operations, symbols, and formulae. On the
other hand, if one knows how to interpret and understand
these things, then the subject will be comprehensible.
Mathematical Expressions
A mathematical expression ( analog of a ‘noun’) defined as
a mathematical phrase that comprises a combination of symbols
that can designate numbers (constants), variables, operations,
symbols of grouping and other punctuation. However this does
not state a complete thought.
Mathematical Sentence
A mathematical sentence makes a statement about
two expressions. The two expressions either use numbers,
variables, or a combination of both. It uses symbols or
words like equals, greater than, or less than and it states a
complete thought.
Expressions versus Sentences
You learned in your English subject that expressions do not state a
complete thought, but sentences do. Mathematical sentences state
a complete thought. On the other hand, mathematical expressions
do not. You cannot test if it is true or false.

Mathematical Expression Mathematical Sentence

26.14 -11 + 7 = 4

5+2 1 - 4 = -3

x+ 1*x=x
Anlysis (Communication)
– Classify each given equation as a mathematical expression (E) or a
mathematical sentence (S).

1. x + 11
2. y + 0 = y
3.
4. 3.1416
5. a + b = b + a
Type of Sentences
 an OPEN SENTENCE is a sentence that uses variables; thus
it is not known whether or not the mathematical sentence is
true or false.

 a CLOSED SENTENCE, on the other hand is a mathematical

sentence that is known to be either tru or false.
CONVENTIONS IN THE MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

The common symbol used for multiplication is x but it can be mistakenly taken a
the variable x. There are instances when the centered dot (·) is a shorthand to
be used for multiplication especially when variables are involved. If there will be
no confusion, the symbol may be dropped.

9 · y = 9y
m · n · o = mno
p · q · 8 = 8pq
It is conventional to write the number first before the letters. If in case the letters are
more than one, you have to arrange the letters alphabetically.

Abstraction (Critical Thinking)

For each of te following expressions, write each in the most conventional way.

1. · x
2. s · t · 8
3. 23 · a · b
4. · ·
5. 25 · · c ·
Some Classification
of Symbols
1. Numbers
- A number is a mathematical object used to count,
quantify, and label another object. These include the elements
of the set of real numbers ( , rational numbers ( ) , irratil
numbers ( integers ( and natural numbers ( ).

2. operation Symbols
- include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (x or ),
division ( or / ), and exponentiation ( ), where x is the base and
n is the exponent.
3. relation symbols
- include greater than or equal (), less than or equal (),
equal (=), not equal (), similar (), approximately equal (), and
congruent (). Congruent figures are the same shape and size.
Similar figures are the same shape but not necessarily the
same size. On the other hand, two quantities are
approximately equal when they are close enough in value so
the difference is insignificant in practical terms.
4. grouping Symbols
- include parentheses ( ), curly brackets or braces { }, or
square brackets [ ].
5. VARIABLES
- are another form of mathematical symbol. Theses are
used when quantities take different values. These usually
include letters of the alphabet.

6. Set theory symbols

- these are those used in the study of sets. These include
subset (), union (), intersection (), element (), not element (),
and empty set ().
7. logic symbols
- include implies (), equivalent (), and (), or (), for all (),
there exists (), and therefore ().

8. statistical symbols
- include sample mean (), population mean (), median (),
population standard deviation (), summation () and factorial (n!),
among others.