thought.

” Systematic thought does not only mean reducing

Chapter 2 everything to symbols and equations it also requires precise
verbal expression. Which means that one should understand first
MATHEMATICAL the language of mathematics before one can use it effectively.

LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS Understanding the language requires us to exert efforts in

learning the symbols, syntax, rules and the meaning behind these
mathematical terms.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, the student should be able to:
Lesson 2.2: Expressions versus Sentences
1. Discuss the language, symbols and conventions of
Mathematics as a language has its own vocabulary. Like
mathematics.
the English language, Mathematics has “nouns”, “verbs”,
2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language.
“phrases” and “sentences”.
3. Perform operations on mathematical expressions
The following diagrams will help us understand the
correctly.
difference of those terms when it comes to the context of English
4. Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful language.
and Math.

Introduction
Mathematics has its own symbols, syntax and rules. It
has also its own language which must be understood and learned.
This will help us communicate ideas effectively and efficiently.
One is expected to have a broad understanding of the language to
be able to express correct ideas. The intention of this part of the
course is to expose the students to the world of mathematics as a
language in order that they may be able to read and write
mathematics texts and communicate ideas with precision and
conciseness. In the English language, nouns are names of persons,
places, things and etc. Phrases are words or groups of words that
Lesson Proper do not express a complete though and sentence is a word or
Lesson 2.1: Characteristics of Mathematical Language group of words that expresses a complete thought.
Mathematics, like any other discipline has its own
language. It has its own symbols, syntax and rules. It is a system
used by mathematicians to express ideas and understand the
expressed ideas. Mathematics as a language has the following
characteristics:
1. Precise - ability to make precise distinctions
2. Concise - ability to use symbols to be able to
express more
3. Powerful - ability to express complex thoughts
In the Mathematics language, expressions are nouns. An
to simpler ideas.
expression is any number, variable or a combination of the two
As Peter Hilton said “Mathematics cannot be learned
separated by an operation. Sentences in the mathematics
without being understood - it is not a matter of formulae being
language are equations which are either true or false but not
committed to memory but of acquiring a capacity for systematic
both.

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 15

Lesson 2.3: Conventions in the Mathematical Language Conjunction (and)
There are many symbols used in the Mathematics Let p and q be propositions. The proposition of “p and
language but we need to fully understand the meaning behind q” – denoted by 𝑝 ∧ 𝑞, is TRUE when BOTH p and q are true and
those symbols for us to use and communicate it effectively. A otherwise is FALSE.
mathematical convention is a fact, name, notation, or usage which Disjunction (or)
is generally agreed upon by mathematicians. These conventions The proposition of “p or q” – denoted 𝑝 ∨ 𝑞, is FALSE
in the mathematical language will help us distinguish different when BOTH p and q are FALSE and TRUE otherwise
types of symbols and operations in a mathematical expressions.
Negation (not)
Lesson 2.5: Elementary Logic Let p be a proposition with a True truth value, then not

Logic is the science of correct reasoning and reasoning p is False. The negation of p is denoted by ¬𝑝 , and read as “not

is any argument in which certain assumptions of premises are p”

stated, and then some other conclusion or fact necessarily

follows. Implication (if … then)

Logic is sometimes called the science of necessary inference. Suppose p and q are propositions, The conditional

Proposition is a statement that is either true or false but statement (implication) 𝑝 → 𝑞 is read as “ if p, then q”, where p

not both. Variables such as p, q, r, s and t are used to represent hypothesis – antecedent – premise and q conclusion –

propositions. Propositional Logic is concerned with propositions consequence, which is false only if p is true and q is false.

and their interrelationships.

Examples of propositions are: Biconditional (iff)

1. Manila is the capital of the Philippines. Suppose p and q are propositions, the biconditional

2. Mt. Mayon is located in Cagayan. statement (bi-implication) 𝑝 ↔ 𝑞 which is read as “ p if and only

3. 2+3=5 if q”, is true only when both p and q have the same truth values.

4. DMMMSU is a state university.

5. 3+6=8 Example 2.5.1:

If a proposition is true, then its truth value is true and Let p and q be propositions “Today is Monday” and “I

false if not. From the examples, propositions 1, 3 and 4 am a freshman student” respectively. Find

are true while 2 and 5 are false. a. 𝑝∧𝑞 : Today is Monday and I am a

Simple Statement is a statement that conveys a single freshman student.

piece of information. We combine simple statements to form a b. 𝑝∨𝑞 : Today is Monday or I am a freshman

compound statement by joining them with the different logical student.

connectives. The following table summarizes the different logical c. ¬𝑞 : I am not a freshman student.

connectives together with its symbols. d. 𝑝 →𝑞 : If today is Monday then I am a

Connectives Symbol Name freshman student.

e. 𝑝↔𝑞 : Today is Monday if and only if I am a
and ^ Conjunction
freshman student.
or v Disjunction
Truth Table
not ¬/~ Negation
A truth table displays the truth value that correspond to
if…then → Implication
the values of the combined/compound propositions. The
iff ↔ Biconditional following table summarizes the truth values of the above-
mentioned logical connectives.

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 16

p q 𝒑∧𝒒 𝒑∨𝒒 ¬𝒑 ¬𝒒 𝒑→𝒒 𝒑↔𝒒

T T T T F F T T

T F F T F T F F

F T F T T F T F

F F F F T T T T

Example 2.5.2: Consider the examples in Example 2.5.1,

determine the truth value of the compound proposition if p is
true and q is false.
1. 𝑝∧𝑞 : 𝑇∧𝐹 =𝐹
2. 𝑝∨𝑞 : 𝑇∨𝐹 =𝑇
3. ¬𝑞 : 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑞 = 𝐹 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 ¬𝑞 = 𝑇
4. 𝑝 →𝑞 : 𝑇→𝐹=𝐹
5. 𝑝↔𝑞 : 𝑇↔𝐹=𝐹

Example 2.5.3: Construct a truth table for the following

propositions:
1. (𝑝 ∨ 𝑞) → (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞)
P q 𝒑∨𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒 (𝒑 ∨ 𝒒) → (𝒑 ∧ 𝒒)

T T T T T

T F T F F

F T T F F

F F F F T

2. (𝑝 ↔ 𝑞) → (𝑝 ∧ 𝑞)

P q 𝒑↔𝒒 𝒑∧𝒒 (𝒑 ↔ 𝒒) → (𝒑 ∧ 𝒒)

T T T T T

T F F F T

F T F F T

F F T F F

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 17