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MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE
AND SYMBOLS
Imagine this scenario?
You are in a math class, and the instructor
passes a piece of paper to each student. It is
announced that the paper contains
Strategies in Solving Math Problems. You are
to read it and make comments. Upon
glancing the paper, you are surprised that it
is written in a foreign language that you do
not understand!
BECAUSE
Mathematics is a system of communication
about objects like numbers, variables, sets,
operations, functions and equations.
It is a collection of both symbols and their
meaning shared by a global community of
people who have an interest in the subject
Characteristics of Mathematical language:
Noun
(name given to object of Interest like
Sentence
people, places and things) (must state a complete thought)
• Uses symbols
• Nouns in mathematics could be
constants
• A verb could be the equal sign =, or
the inequality symbols like <,> or ≤
• Pronoun could be variables like x or
y
EXPRESSION AND MATHEMATICAL
SENTENCE
An Expression is the mathematical analogue of an English noun;
it is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols used to represent a mathematical
object of interest.
It 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
EXPRESSION Sentence
(name given mathematical
object of interest like numbers,
(must state a complete
sets, mean, ordered pair) thought)
summary
ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
NAME GIVEN TO AN NOUN (person, place, thing) EXPRESSION
OBJECT OF INTEREST
Examples: Examples:
Rizza, Baguio City, book 5, 2+3,
A
A COMPLETE
COMPLETE SENTENCE
SENTENCE SENTENCE
SENTENCE
THOUGHT
THOUGHT Examples:
Examples: Examples:
Examples:
The
The capital
capital of
of the
the Philippines
Philippines is
is 3
3++4
4==77
Manila
Manila 3
3++4
4==88
The
The capital
capital of
of the
the Philippines
Philippines is
is
Cebu
Cebu
Exercise: Classify each if it’s a english noun or an expression, an
english sentence or a mathematical sentence. If it’s a sentence
encircle the verb
1.cat
2.2
3.The word “cat” begins with the letter “k”
4.5-3
5.x + 0 = x
6.The cat is black.
NUMBERS HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT NAMES
fewer symbols
Fewer operations
Better suited for current use
Preferred style/format
The Grammar of Mathematics
20
Some difficulties in math language
• The word "is" could mean equality, inequality
or membership in a set
• Different uses of a number; to express quantity
(cardinal), to indicate the order (ordinal), and
as a label (nominal)
• Mathematical objects may be represented in
many ways, such as sets and functions
• The words "and' & "or" means different from
its English use
21
Objects that we use in Math
• Numbers (4 operations and properties)
• Variables
• Operations (unary & binary)
24
Take note:
29
Sets
• Definition of a Set
• Methods of naming a set
• Properties
• Relationships between two sets
• Operation on Sets
• Venn Diagram
30