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Mathematical Language and Symbols

Mathematics has its own language and symbols for communicating ideas precisely and concisely. The language of mathematics uses expressions to represent mathematical objects and sentences to make complete statements that can be true or false. Mathematical conventions like order of operations are agreed upon ways for mathematicians to understand each other's work by standardizing terms and notations.

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73 views4 pages

Mathematical Language and Symbols

Mathematics has its own language and symbols for communicating ideas precisely and concisely. The language of mathematics uses expressions to represent mathematical objects and sentences to make complete statements that can be true or false. Mathematical conventions like order of operations are agreed upon ways for mathematicians to understand each other's work by standardizing terms and notations.

Uploaded by

Niki Kevin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

“The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics” - Galileo Galilei

What is Language?
- Language is defined as systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of
conventionalized signs, sound, gestures, or marks having understood meanings. (Meriam-Webster)

What is Language in Mathematics?


- Language in Mathematics is a system of communication about objects like numbers, variables, sets,
operations, functions, and equations.

 Mathematics has its own vocabulary, grammar, syntax, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS


1. Precise (able to make very fine distinctions)
2. Concise (able to say things briefly)
3. Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease)

ENGLISH: NOUNS VS SENTENCES


Nouns are used to name things we want to talk about (like people, places, and things)

Sentences are used to state complete thoughts

 A typical English sentence has at least one noun, and at least one verb.
o Example: Carol loves Mathematics
(‘Carol’ and ‘Mathematics’ are nouns and ‘loves’ is a verb)

MATHEMATICS: EXPRESSIONS VS SENTENCES


What is Mathematical Expression?

 It is the mathematical analogue of an English noun; it is a correct arrangement of a mathematical


symbols used to represent a mathematical object of interest.
 It does NOT state a complete thought
What is a Mathematical Sentence?

 It is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols that


states a complete thought
TRUTH OF SENTENCES
Mathematical Sentences may either be true or false but not both
CONVENTIONS IN THE MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE
What is Mathematical Convention?

Mathematical Convention is a fact, name, notation, or usage which is generally agreed upon by
mathematicians.

For Instance, the fact that one evaluates multiplication before addition in the expression 2+3x4 is merely
conventional: it is conventional to perform first multiplication before addition, this is following the order of
operations.

Mathematicians abide by conventions in order to allow other mathematicians to understand what they write
without constantly having to redefine basic terms.

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