See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/315712910

The Symbolic Language of Mathematics

Article · January 2016

CITATIONS READS

0 18,844

1 author:

Uttam Kharde
Sangamner College, Sangamner
2 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Uttam Kharde on 31 March 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.


The Symbolic Language of Mathematics
Uttam D. Kharde
Department of Mathematics,
S.N.Arts, D.J.M. Commerce & B.N.S. Science
College, Sangamner
Email:-uttamkharde@gmail.com
Abstract:
Mathematics is written in a symbolic language
that is designed to express mathematical
thoughts. English language is a source of
knowledge, but it is not designed for doing
mathematics. This article describes how
mathematical thoughts, methods, and facts are
expressed in symbolism. That is, it emphasizes
how to read and write mathematics.
Keyword: Mathematics, Symbols, Expressions.
Introduction:
What is a Language?
Here are some definitions ofLanguage [1] [4],
 A systematic means of communicating by
the use of sounds or conventional symbols
 A system of words used in a particular
discipline
 A set (finite or infinite) of sentences, each
finite in length and constructed out of a finite
set of elements.
These definitions describe language in terms of
the following components:
 A vocabulary of symbols or words
 A grammar consisting of rules of how these
symbols may be used
 A syntax or propositional structure, which
places the symbols in linear structures.
 A Discourse or narrative' consisting of
strings of syntactic propositions.
 A community of people who use and
understand these symbols.
 A range of meaning that can be
communicated with these symbols.
Each of these components is also found in the
language of mathematics.
THE EXPLORER, VOL. 01, issue 1, 2016
RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
Mathematics in the English-speaking world is
communicated using two languages [2] [4],
1. Mathematical English:
Mathematical English is a part of the English
language used for making formal mathematical
statements, specifically to
communicate definitions, theorems, proofs and
examples. Many ordinary English words are
used in Mathematical English with different
meanings. In some ways, Mathematical English
is a foreign language. Other languages also have
special mathematical forms.
2. Symbolic Language:
The symbolic language of mathematics is a
special-purpose language. It has its own symbols
and rules of grammar that are quite different
from those of English. We can usually read
expressions in the symbolic language in any
Mathematical article written in any language.
Both the languages, Mathematical English and
the Symbolic language are used in mathematics
writing and mathematical lectures.
The Vocabulary of Mathematics:
The symbolic language consists of symbolic
expressions written in the way mathematicians
traditionally write them. A symbol is a
typographical character such as x, Φ,∪, ∞ . It also
includes symbols that are specific to
mathematics, such as∀, ∃, ≤ , ↔, β, ∞.An
expression that stands for something.
A symbolic expression consists of symbols
arranged according to specific rules. Every
symbolic expression is one of two
types: symbolic assertion and symbolic term
[4].
1. Symbolic Assertions
A symbolic assertion is a complete statement
that stands alone as a sentence.
Examples
a) 𝜋 > 0 is a symbolic assertion.
b) x > 0 is true for x = 5 and many other
numbers and false for x = −0.001 and
many other numbers.
117
 RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
2
c) The symbolic assertion x − 4x + 1 = 0 2. In mathematics the order of operations is
is true for the numberx = 2, but not for more important. It is a collection of some rules
any other number. which gives the procedures to perform first in
d) x 2 − y 2 = (x − y)(x + y) is a symbolic order to evaluate a given mathematical
assertion with two variables. expression [2]. For example, in mathematics,
multiplication precedes addition.
Examples:
2. Symbolic Statements:
a) 2 ⋅ 5 + 3 means do the multiplication
A symbolic statement is a symbolic first, then add the five, getting 13,
assertion without variables. It is either true or whereas 2⋅(5+3) means do the addition
false. first, then multiply the result by 2,
Examples getting 16.
a) π > 0 and 42 = 16 are true symbolic b) 4 + 32 means first calculate 32 = 9 ,
statements. getting 4+9, then calculate 4+9,
b) π < 0 and 2 + 3 = 7 are false symbolic getting 13. But (4 + 3) means 72.
2

statements. Even though false, they are c) The expression 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑦 means
still regarded as symbolic statements. calculate 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 and add 𝑦 to the result.
The expression cos(𝑥 + 𝑦) means
3. Symbolic Terms: calculate 𝑥 + 𝑦 first and then take the
A symbolic term is a symbolic expression that Cosine of the result.
refers to some mathematical object. d) −52 requires you to calculate 52 first,
Examples then apply the minus sign, yielding −25.
a) The expression 52 is a symbolic term. It On the other hand, (−5)2 gives 25.
is another name for the number 25.
b) x 3 is a symbolic term containing
Conclusion:
a variable x . This means the term
has variable meaning depending on Languages are ways of transforming information
which value is substituted forx. For and meaning. Mathematics is a language which
example, if you setx = 2, we get 23 , is developed using symbols.To study the
another name for 8. mathematics, it is necessary to understand the
c) x 2 + y 2 − xy is symbolic term language in what way the mathematics read and
with two variables. If you write.
substitute 2 for xand 3 for References:
y then the expression denotes the
integer 7. 1. Geoffrey Leech, Margaret Deuchar and
Robert Hoogenraad, English Grammar for
Grammar of theSymbolic Language: Today, Macmillan Press LTD, 1982
The symbolic language of mathematics has its 2. Charles Wells, A Handbook of
own rules of grammar that are quite different Mathematical Discourse
from those of English. 3. Kevin Houston, How to Think Like A
1. In symbolic expressions, Mathematicians, Cambridge University
the symbols and the arrangement of the Press, 2009.
symbols both communicate meaning. 4. Wikipedia entry
Examples: 5. David Pimm, Speaking Mathematically:
Communication in Mathematics
a) 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 , 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 & 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 all mean
Classrooms, Routledge, 1987
different things.
6. Achyut Godbole and Madhavi
b) sin2 x 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥)2 mean the same thing.
Thakurdesai, Ganiti, Manovikas
c) 𝑥2𝑐𝑜𝑠 is meaningless.
Prakashan, 2013.

THE EXPLORER, VOL. 01, issue 1, 2016 118

View publication stats