FOUR PICTURES, ONE WORD

G E U N L G A A
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ _____ ____
 ANSWER

LANGUAGE
 Module 2
Mathematical Language and Symbols

TOPIC 1: Characteristics and

Conventions in the Mathematical
Language
 Specific Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Understand what mathematical language is.

2. Name different characteristics of mathematics.
3. Compare and differentiate natural language into a
mathematical language and expressions into sentences.
4. Familiarize and name common symbols use in
mathematical expressions and sentences.
5. Translate a sentence into a mathematical
symbol.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Have you read about one of the stories in the bible known
as “The Tower of Babel?” This story is about constructing a
tower able to reach its top to heaven; the Kingdom of God. At
first, the construction of a tower is smoothly being done since all
of the workers have only one and only one language. But God
disrupted the work of the people by making their language
different from each other. There was a language barrier and the
people were confused about what the other people were talking
about, resulting in the tower never being finished and the people
were spread in all over and different places of the earth.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Based on the story, what was the most important
thing that people should have in order to accomplish
a certain task? Yes, a “language”. Language is one
of the most important things among people because it
has an important role in communication. But the
question is, what is language? Why is it so
important? In this module, we will be discussing
mathematical relatives on what you have learned in
your English subject.
Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language
 For sure you may be asked what the real meaning
of a language is. Perhaps you could say that language is
the one we use to be able to communicate with each
other or this is one of your lessons in English or in your
Filipino subject.
According to Cambridge English Dictionary, a
language is a system of communication consisting of
sounds, words and grammar, or the system of
communication used by people in a particular country or
type of work.
Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language
 Did you know that mathematics is a language in
itself? Since it is a language also, mathematics is very
essential in communicating important ideas. But most
mathematical language is in the form of symbols. When
we say that “Five added by three is eight”, we could
translate this in symbol as “5 + 3 = 8.” Here, the first
statement is in a form of a group of words while the
translation is in a form of symbol which has the same
meaning and if you will be reading this, for sure all of you
have a common understanding with this.
Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language
 But let us take a look at these mathematical symbols.

Did you understand what these symbols are? This mathematical sentence is a complex idea; yet, it is
contained and tamed into a concise statement. It may sound or look Greek to some because without any
knowledge of the language in which the ideas are expressed, the privilege to understand and appreciate its
grandeur can never be attained. Mathematics, being a language in itself, may appear complex and difficult to
understand simply because it uses a different kind of alphabet and grammar structure. It uses a kind of
language that has been historically proven effective in communicating and transmitting mathematical realities.
The language of mathematics, like any other languages, can be learned; once learned, it allows us to see
fascinating things and provides us an advantage to comprehend and exploit the beauty of beneath and
beyond. Hence, to be able to understand different topics in mathematics, it is very important that you must
first learn how to read and understand different symbols in mathematics which are used in mathematical
language.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

A. Characteristics of Mathematical Language

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the

kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to express.

It is:

1. precise (able to make very fine distinction)

2. concise (able to say things briefly); and
3. powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative cases).

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 B. Vocabulary vs. Sentences
Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its rules for combining these words into
complete thoughts (the sentences). Mathematics is no exception. As a first step in discussing the
mathematical language, we will make a very broad classification between the ‘nouns’ of mathematics (used
to name mathematical objects of interest) and the ‘sentences’ of mathematics (which state complete
mathematical thoughts)’

You must study the Mathematics Vocabulary!

Students must learn how to use the language of Mathematics correctly, when and where to
use and figuring out the incorrect uses.
Students must show the relationship or connections of the mathematics language with the
natural language.
Students must look backward or study the history of Mathematics in order to understand
more deeply why Mathematics is important in their daily lives.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Importance of Mathematical Language

Major contributor to overall comprehension

Vital for the development of Mathematics
proficiency
Enables both the teacher and the students to
communicate mathematical knowledge with
precision

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 C. Comparison of Natural Language into Mathematical Language

The table below is an illustration on the comparison of a natural language (expression or sentence)
to a mathematical language.
English Mathematics
Expressions
Noun such as person, place and things or this 2
is used to name things that we want to talk to
while pronouns is another way in calling the 3–2
Name given to an object of interest. nouns
3x
Example:
a) Ernesto loves reading books. 3x + 2
b) Batangas City is part of the Philippines.
c) He loves reading books. Note: Here, the variable x represents any quantity

Sentence
Group of words that express a statement,
question or command. 3+2=5

It has a complete thought. Example: a+b=c

a) Ernesto is a boy.
b) He lives in Batangas City. ax + by + c = 0
c) Allan loves to read books.
d) Run!
e) Do you love me? (x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 D. Expressions versus Sentences
Ideas regarding sentences are explored. Just as English sentences have verbs, so
do mathematical sentences. In the mathematical sentence;

3+4=7

the verb is =. If you read the sentence as ‘three plus four is equal to seven, then it’s easy
to hear the verb. Indeed, the equal sign = is one of the most popular mathematical verb.

Example:

a) The capital of the Philippines is Manila.

b) Rizal park is in Cebu.
c) 5+3=8
d) 5+3=9

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Connectives
A question commonly encountered, when presenting the sentence
example 1 + 2 = 3 is that if = is the verb, then what is + ?

The answer is the symbol + is what we called a connective which is

used to connect objects of a given type to get a ‘compound’ object of the
same type. Here, the numbers 1 and 2 are connected to give the new
number 1 + 2.

In English, this is the connector “and”. Cat is a noun, dog is a noun,

cat and dog is a ‘compound’ noun.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Mathematical Sentence
Mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it
is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols that states a complete
thought. It makes sense to ask about the TRUTH of a sentence: Is it
true? Is it false? Is it sometimes true/sometimes false?
Example:

a) The capital of the Philippines is Manila.

b) Rizal park is in Cebu.
c) 5+3=8
d) 5+3=9

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Truth of Sentences
Sentences can be true or false. The notion of “truth” (i.e., the property
of being true or false) is a fundamental importance in the mathematical
language; this will become apparent as you read the book.

Conventions in Languages
Languages have conventions. In English, for example, it is
conventional to capitalize names (like Israel and Manila). This convention
makes it easy for a reader to distinguish between a common noun (carol
means Christmas song) and proper noun (Carol i.e. name of a person).
Mathematics also has its convention, which helps readers distinguish
between different types of mathematical expression.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Expression
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.

An expression does NOT state a complete

thought; in particular, it does not make sense to ask if
an expression is true or false.
Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language
 Conventions in mathematics,
some commonly used
symbols, its meaning and an
example

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Sets and Logic
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
 Union Union of set A and AB
set B
 Intersection Intersection of set A B
A and set B
 Element x is an element of A xA
 Not an element of x is not an element x A
of set A

{ } A set of.. A set of an element {a, b, c}

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Sets and Logic
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
 Subset A is a subset of B AB
 Not a subset of A is not a subset of B AB

… Ellipses There are still other a, b, c, …

items to follow/before …,-2,-1,0,1,2,…
a + b + c + ….
 Conjunction A and B A B

 Disjunction A or B A B

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Sets and Logic
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
 Negation Not A A
 Implies (If-then If A, then B AB
statement)
 If and only if A if and only if AB
B
 For all For all x (x)

 There exist There exist an x (x)

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Sets and Logic
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
 Therefore Therefore C C

| Such that or divides x such that y x|y

x divides y x|y
■ End of proof (QED)

 Congruence / equivalent A is equivalent to B A B

a is congruent to b modulo a  b mod n
n
a, b, c, …, z Variables
*First part of English Alphabet uses as fixed
variable*
(lower case)
*Middle part of English alphabet use as subscript
and superscript variable*
(axo)p (5x2)6
*Last part of an English alphabet uses as unknown
variable*

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Basic Operations and Relational Symbols
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
a plus b
+ Addition; Plus sign a added by b 3+2
a increased by b
a subtracted by b
- Subtraction; minus sign a minus b 3-2
a diminished by b
 Multiplication sign a multiply by b 43
() *we do not use x as a symbol for a times b (4)(3)
multiplication in our discussion since its
use as a variable*
 or | Division sign; divides ab 10  5
b|a 5 | 10

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Basic Operations and Relational Symbols
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE
 Composition of function f of g of x f  g(x)

= Equal sign a=a 5=5

a+b=b+a 3+2=2+3
 Not equal to ab 34

 Greater than ab 10  5

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Basic Operations and Relational Symbols

SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE

 Less than b a 5  10

 Greater than or equal to ab 10  5

 Less than or equal to ba 5  10

 Binary operation ab a * b = a + 17b

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Set of Numbers
SYMBOL NAME MEANING EXAMPLE

natural numbers /
ℕ0 whole numbers set ℕ0 = {0,1,2,3,4,...} 0 ∈ ℕ0
(with zero)

natural numbers /
ℕ1 whole numbers set ℕ1 = {1,2,3,4,5,...} 6 ∈ ℕ1
(without zero)
ℤ integer numbers set ℤ = {...-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,...} -6 ∈ ℤ
ℚ rational numbers set ℚ = {x | x=a/b, a,b∈ ℤ and b≠0} 2/6 ∈ ℚ
ℝ real numbers set ℝ = {x | -∞ < x <∞} 6.343434 ∈ ℝ
ℂ complex numbers set ℂ = {z | z=a+bi, -∞<a<∞, -∞<b<∞} 6+2i ∈ ℂ

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

F. Translating words into symbol
Why do we need to translate mathematical phrases into symbols?
• Practical problems seldom, if ever, come in equation form. The job of the
problem solver is to translate the problem from phrases and statements into
mathematical expressions and equations, and then to solve the equations.

• As problem solvers, our job is made simpler if we are able to translate verbal
phrases to mathematical expressions and if we follow step in solving applied
problems. To help us translate from words to symbols, we can use the
Mathematics Dictionary.

• Mathematics uses symbol to simplify a complex or a long mathematical

sentences.
Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language
 Algebra is sometimes defined as the science of signs and symbols.
Hence, solution of most mathematics problem depend upon the language of
algebra by using the various signs, symbols and notations in algebra.

One of the important aspect in solving problems in algebra is a working

knowledge of the ability to translate the statement in algebraic symbols. Thus,
one has to develop this ability in order to represent word problems into
mathematical statement using algebraic symbol.

A knowledge of constant and variable alongside with symbols of

relations and operations will facilitate translation of verbal phrases into
mathematical phrases

Source: http://anibmlaya.blogspot.com/

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 MOST COMMONLY USED WORD or PHRASE
A)Add, Added to; More than; Increased by; the sum of; the total of; plus
(for addition)
B) Subtract, Subtracted to; subtract from; minus; less; less than;
Diminished by; take away; reduced by; the difference; minus
(for subtraction)
C) Multiply to; product of; times; times as much of; produce
(for multiplication)
D) Divided by; quotient of; the ratio of; divides
(for division)
E) Raised by a power of; raised to the power of;
(for exponent)
F) Is; yields (for equal sign)

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Can you translate the following English phrase into Mathematical symbol?

Let a and b are two numbers;

1. The sum of a and b

2. a increased by b
a +b
3. a added to b

4. a plus b
What have you
noticed?
5. b more than a

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Examples:

Let x be a number. Translate each phrase or sentence into a mathematical expression or equation.

1. Twelve more than a number.

Ans.: 12 + x

2. Eight minus a number.

Ans.: 8 − x

3. An unknown quantity less fourteen.

Ans.: x − 14

4. Six times a number is fifty-four.

Ans.: 6x = 54

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

 Example:

5. Two ninths of a number is eleven.

Ans.: 2/9x = 11

6. Three more than seven times a number is nine more than five times the number.

Ans.: 3 + 7x = 9 + 5x

7. Twice a number less eight is equal to one more than three times the number.

Ans.: 2x − 8 = 1 + 3x

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Let “a”
be a
number
Self -Learning Activity
Bingo Game: Your teacher will be asking you to make your own bingo card (one card only) with different
mathematical symbols like the one below.
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN
W O R L D
   - 
ℂ ℕ1 ℚ ℕ0 
| ℝ FREE  ■
    
 () +  ℤ

No symbol/s must be repeated in a single card. Just like an ordinary bingo game, you will be playing a “Block-out Game”
where your teacher would be the game master. Whoever student/s complete all the symbols in a card (block out game)
won the game. The game master will be check if the symbols are all correct. Note: He or she will be given an incentive
points for this item.

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Self -Learning Activity

Translate each of the following mathematical phrase into a mathematical

expression if possible. Use x, y and z as the numbers.

1. A number increased by five

2. Twice the square of a number
3. The square of the sum of two numbers
4. The sum of the squares of two numbers
5. A number less by three
6. Twice of a number added by four
7. The cube of a number less than five
8. The area of a rectangle whose length is seven more than its width
9. The difference of a square of two numbers
10. The quotient of the sum of two numbers by another number

Module 2 | Topic 1:Characteristics and Conventions in the Mathematical Language