Module 2: Mathematical Language and Symbols

What this module is about

This module introduces a mathematical way of thinking that can help in multiple
situations. When solving mathematical problems, one usually has a vague image or
understanding and this module aims to help crystallize the thoughts for a better, clearer
solution. This module can also help students to express mathematical thoughts more
precisely, clearly, and definitely.

Objectives:
After reading the module, you are expected to:
1. Know the difference between mathematical expressions and sentences.
2. Learn and use the different symbols and conventions in mathematics
3. Understand the basic concepts of sets, relations and functions
4. Solve Cartesian products and its application in your respective fields

2.1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Mathematical language is best defined by three main characteristics:

• PRECISE
o Mathematics can make very fine distinctions. Even something as miniscule as
0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001
can still be distinguished accurately.
• CONCISE
o Mathematical language is able to convey thoughts briefly. For the number above,
it can be shortened into 10-63.
• POWERFUL
o Mathematical language can express complex thoughts with relative ease. It may
not be significantly easy, but it can simplify the original thought to be less stressful
and complicated. An example will be to rewrite 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 18 to simply
3 x 6 = 18. To see how powerful mathematics can be, follow the instructions below.

Do it with me!
Think of a number, any number. It may be positive or negative, an integer or a decimal or
fraction. Remember it or write it down on a piece of paper, okay?
1. Multiply your number by 3.
2. Add 21 to the answer
3. Divide the answer by 3.
4. Still remember your original number? Subtract it to the answer.
5. Ready? You should be left with the number 7.

2.2 Expressions vs Sentences

Mathematical language can be compared to the English language in terms of functionality.
A “noun” in English is similar to “expressions”. Expressions are objects of interests in a
mathematical sentence. They are often represented by numbers, numerical operations, sets,
ordered pairs, or functions. Mathematical sentences, on the other hand, are similar to English
sentences that they should have a complete thought or idea.

ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
Name given to an object of NOUN: EXPRESSION:
interest: Ex.: Karen, school, bag 1
Ex.: 5, 2+3,
4
A complete thought SENTENCE: SENTENCE:
Ex.: The capital of Marinduque is Boac. Ex.: 3 + 4 = 7
The capital of Marinduque is Mogpog. 3+4=8

Expressions
Expressions are considered as the nouns in mathematical language, and variables are
considered as the pronoun. In English, there are words that can have the same meaning.
Likewise, values in mathematics can be represented by different expressions. The simplest
expression is to write the value as a number, for example ‘6’. This number can also be represented
as a combination of numbers and operations, such as ‘1 + 5’ or ‘2 x 3’.
Sentences
A sentence must convey a complete thought, and it holds true even in mathematical
language. In most sentences, there is a word that denotes action or verb. In mathematics, the
most commonly used verb is the equal sign (=). It is often read as “is equal to” or simply “is”. Other
symbols include “is less than” (<), “is greater than” (>) or “is not equal to” (≠). Most of the
mathematical sentences are equations and inequalities.
From the previous example, mathematical sentences can be either true or false. The first
example, “3 + 4 = 7”, is an example of a true sentence, while “3 + 4 = 8” is a false sentence.
2.3 Conventions
Convention refers to standardized rules set to be followed for easier distinction. They are
not absolute, but are considered by the majority as a basis for arguments. An example of a
convention in English is the use of capitalization for proper and common nouns.
Example: Carol – a female name; carol – a Christmas song
Mark – a male name; mark – a stain or to put something for identification
In mathematics, the most popular convention is the PEMDAS rule. It refers to the order by
which operations should be performed. Other conventions include the use of the English alphabet
in mathematics.
Letter Use
a, b, c, … Constants (fixed value)
f, g, h Functions
i, j, k, m, n… Positive integers (for counting)
… x, y, z Variables

Simplification
The word “simplify” is used to transform an expression to get a different name that is in
some way, simpler than the original. To simplify, these are the four most common methods:
 Fewer Symbols – less symbols mean less clutter
 Fewer Operations – to reduce the number of operations, simply solve
 Better suited for current use – use another expression to be able to solve relatively easier
  Preferred Style/ Format – Transform the expression as directed/ requested.
Examples:
 4x+5x+8x ---------- 17x
 6+6+6+6+6 ---------- 6 x 5
1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟
 1 hour ----------
60 𝑚𝑖𝑛

12 1
 ----------
24 2
2.4 Basic Concepts
There are four important basic concepts in the language of mathematics, sets, relations,
functions, and the binary operations. The binary operations are calculations that combine two
elements to produce another element. They are the basic mathematical operations addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.
2.4.1 Sets
Sets are regarded as “a collection of elements”. It denotes a group of items defined
categorically. The term element can be denoted by the symbol “∈”. Below are some conventional
sets used in mathematics.

Symbol Set

R Set of all real numbers

Z Set of all integers
Q Set of all rational numbers
Sets can be written in different notations:

• Set-Roster Notation – the notation where the elements of the set are simply listed. It is
written as (set name) = {element 1, element 2, …. Element n}. The elements must
ALWAYS be inside braces {} and separated by a comma.

Ex.: A = {1, 2, 3, 4, … 100} (Set A is the set that contains the numbers from 1 to 100)
B = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8} (Set B is the set that contains single-digit even numbers)

• Set-Builder Notation – the notation where the elements of the set are defined by a
condition denoted by a relation, or a sentence. It is written as {(variable)∈(set name) | P(x)}
where P(x) is the condition that needs to be satisfied.
Ex.: {x∈A|1≤x ≤ 100} (x is an element of A such that 1 is less than or equal to x and x
is less than or equal to 100)
{y∈B | y is a non-negative even integer less than 10}
(y is an element of B such that y is a non-negative even integer less than 10)
* The symbol “|” can be read as “such that”, implying that the next statements must be
satisfied.

• Interval Notation – this notation is often used for sets that are already identified, usually
integers, to show the range that a set encompasses. Parentheses () show exclusion, while
brackets [] show inclusion of the number stated.
Ex.: 1 ≤ x ≤ 100 → [1, 100]
o The range shows inclusion of 1 and 100 (the symbol used is “is less than or equal
to”), therefore, we use the open and closed brackets.
2 < b < 8 → (2, 8]
 o This time, 2 is not included (is less than) so we use an open parenthesis, and a
close bracket since 8 is included.
Equal sets vs Equivalent sets
Two sets are considered EQUAL if both sets contain the exact same elements, while
they are considered EQUIVALENT if both sets contain the same NUMBER of elements.
Ex.: A = {a, b, c, d} B = {d, c, b, a} C = {m, n, o, p} D = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
From the given, sets A and B are EQUAL sets, because the both contain ALL the same
elements a, b, c, d, in any order. Sets A and C are EQUIVALENT sets because they both
contain four elements, even if they contain different elements.
Subsets, Proper subsets, Supersets and Proper supersets
If all the elements of a set A can be found in another set B, then A is a subset of B. It
can also be written as A⊆𝐵. However, If A is a subset of B, but B contains elements not in A,
then A is a proper subset of B. It can also be written as A⊂𝐵.
Ex.: S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} T = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} V = {2, 4, 6}
Since all the elements in set T can be found in set S, then set T is a subset of set S (T⊆S)
Since all the elements in set V can be found in set S, but set S contains elements that are not in
set V, then set V is a PROPER SUBSET of set S (V⊂S)
If A is a subset of B, then B is a superset of A. It can be written as B⊃A. Likewise, if A is
a proper subset of B, then B is a proper superset of A. It can be written as B⊃A
Ordered Pairs
Given elements a and b, the symbol (a, b) denotes an ordered pair. It consists of a and b
together, with a as the 1st element and b as the second element. From the word “order” it denotes
that the arrangement of the elements is significant and that (a, b) is different from (b, a). An
ordered pair MUST ALWAYS be denoted inside parentheses.
Given two ordered pairs (a, b) and (c, d), they are equal if, and only if, a=c and b=d.
Cartesian Products
Given sets A and B, the Cartesian product of A and B, denoted as A x B (A cross B), is
the set of ordered pairs (a, b) where a is in A and b is in B. Again, A x B is different from B x A.
A x B = {(a, b) |a ∈ A and b ∈ B}
B x A = {(b, a) | b ∈ B and a ∈ A}
Ex.: A = {1, 2, 3} {x∈B|1≤ x ≤ 10, x is divisible by 3} Find A x B
Solution:
To easily identify the elements, change set B to set-roster notation. The elements of B are the
numbers from 1 to 10 which is also divisible by 3. With this, we can write B = {3, 6, 9}.
With this, we simply list down the different ordered pairs we can get from set A and B.
To easily illustrate the pairs, we can make a table to match each element

B 3 6 9
A
1 (1, 3) (1, 6) (1, 9)
2 (2, 3) (2, 6) (2, 9)
3 (3, 3) (3, 6) (3, 9)
So, A x B = { (1, 3), (1, 6), (1, 9),
(2, 3), (2, 6), (2, 9),
(3, 3), (3, 6), (3, 9)}
Or
A x B = {(1, 3), (1, 6), (1, 9), (2, 3), (2, 6), (2, 9), (3, 3), (3, 6), (3, 9)}
Exercise: Find B X A
2.4.2 Relations
Let A and B be sets, a relation R from A to B is a subset of A X B. Given an ordered pair
(x, y) in A X B, x is related to y by R, written x R y, if and only if (x, y) is in R. The set A is called
the domain of R and set B is called the co-domain.
x is related to y by R means that the ordered pair (x, y) is a n element of set R, or in notation:
x R y means that (x, y) ∈ R
Example: Using A X B from the previous example, and (x, y) ∈ R means that 2x > y, find the
ordered pairs in A X B that are also in R.
Solution:
The relation R means that for every ordered pair (x, y) in A X B, the statement 2x > y must
be satisfied.
2(1) > 3 → 2 > 3 false 2(2) > 3 → 4 > 3 true 2(3) > 3 → 6 > 3 true
2(1) > 6 → 2 > 6 false 2(2) > 6 → 4 > 6 false 2(3) > 6 → 6 > 6 false
2(1) > 9 → 2 > 9 false 2(2) > 9 → 4 > 9 false 2(3) > 9 → 6 > 9 false

Among the nine ordered pairs in A X B, only (2, 3) and (3, 3) satisfies the statement, therefore, R
= {(2, 3), (3, 3)}.
Exercise: From B X A, find R. (x, y) ∈ R means that x – 3y > 0
2.4.3 Functions
A function F from a set A to a set B is a relation with domain A and co-domain B that satisfies two
properties:
1. For every element x in A, there is an element y in B such that (x, y) ∈ F
2. For all elements x in A and y and z in B:
If (x, y) ∈ F and (x, z) ∈ F, then y=z
Simply put, for every element x, there can only be one element y that can be partnered
with it. The element x must only appear once but y can be repeated.
Example:
From A x B = {(1, 3), (1, 6), (1, 9), (2, 3), (2, 6), (2, 9), (3, 3), (3, 6), (3, 9)}
R1 means that 2x > y, and R2 means that 3x < y

• R1 = {(2, 3), (3, 3)}; since the elements for x is non-repeating, this is a function
• R2 = {(1, 3), (1, 6), (1, 9), (2, 6), (2, 9), (3, 9)}; since element 1 is partnered with 3, 6, and
9, and element 2 is partnered with both 6 and 9, it does not satisfy the second property of
the x component having only one y component as partner, therefore, it is not a function
Exercise: From B X A, find (x, y) ∈ R means x + 2y > 10 and tell whether it is a function or not.
Worksheet
Given: Q= {10, 20, 30} {x∈T| x is divisible by 5, 1<x<20}
Find TxQ

Using TxQ:
(x, y) ∈ R, R means 2x > y. Write whether it is a function or not a function.

(x, y) ∈ R, R means 2x = y Write whether it is a function or not a function.

Module Test

I. Read the questions carefully and choose the best answer. Write your answers in
CAPITAL LETTERS.
1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of mathematics?
a. precise c. strong
b. concise d. powerful
2. This is called the NOUNS in mathematics.
a. expression c. variables
b. sentence d. functions
3. This is called the PRONOUNS in mathematics.
a. expression c. variables
b. sentence d. functions
4. Given S= {(1,2), (2,4), (3,6), (4,2)}, this is a/an:
a. Relation c. all of the above
b. Function d. none of the above
5. Given M= {a, b, c, d} and N= {d, c, b, a}, then sets M and N are:
a. equal c. all of the above
b. equivalent d. none of the above
II. Modified True or False. Write T if the statement is true, if false change the underlined word to
make the statement true.
1. Given J= {S, I, L, E, N, T} and K= {L, I, S, T, E, N}, J and K are equal sets.
2. PEMDAS is an example of a mathematical convention.
3. {1, 2} is an example of an ordered pair.
4. A X B is read as “A ex B”.
5. If all the elements of a set A are in set B, then A is a proper subset of B.
III. Write E if the statement is an expression, ST if the statement is a sentence which is
true, and SF if the statement is a sentence which is false.
1. 5 + 2 > 7 6. The capital of China is Boac.
2. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3= 7. 10 x 10 +10 = 200
3. 36 = 62 8. (0.5)2 = 1 ⁄ 4
4. DU30 9. Seventeen minus three
5. 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 5 x 5 10. 3 + 4 less than 9