Module 9

The R and S in Math

What this module is all about

This module is about

In the

You will learn more about these concepts as you study the four lessons in this
module.

Lesson 1
Lesson 2

What you are expected to learn

After working on this module, the student is expected to:

 distinguish between

How to learn from this module

This is your guide for the proper use of the module:

1. Read the items in the module carefully.

2. Follow the directions as you read the materials.

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 3. Answer all the questions that you encounter. As you go through the module, you
will find help to answer these questions. Sometimes, the answers are found at the
end of the module for immediate feedback.
4. To be successful in undertaking this module, you must be patient and industrious
in doing the suggested tasks.
5. Take your time to study and learn. Happy learning!

The following flowchart serves as your quick guide in using this module.

Start

Take the Pretest

Check your paper and count

your correct answers.

Is your score Yes Scan the items you

80% or missed.
above?

No

Study this module

Proceed to the next

Take the Posttest module/STOP.

What to do before (Pretest)

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

Answer Key on page 21

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 What you will do

Read the following lessons carefully.

Lesson 1

In the previous module, you learned about . Let us recall its definition.

An

Exploration

Let us now observe some algebraic expressions that are contained in the
mathematical phrases and mathematical sentences presented below.

Mathematical Phrases Mathematical Sentences

What do you observe? How do you compare a mathematical phrase with a mathematical
sentence? _________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

You are correct! A mathematical phrase contains an algebraic expression that does not
express a complete thought. On the other hand, a mathematical sentence contains

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algebraic expressions together with a relation symbol =, <, , > or  and it expresses a
complete thought. We recall that these relation symbols are read as follows.

= is equal to or equals
< is less than
 is less than or equal to
> is greater than
 is greater than or equal to

Now, let us look at the given mathematical sentences. The first four mathematical
sentences namely, 20 – 12 = 8, 2b = 4, 7 = x + y and
5s = t are called equations. Can you give your own examples of equations?
________________________________________________________________
If your answers contain algebraic expressions together with the sign =, then you are right.

In your view, what is an equation? ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________
Good. An equation is a mathematical sentence that makes use of the symbol =. What do
you think does the symbol = imply? ____________________________

Yes, the symbol = implies that the two sides of the equation are equal. This means that
whatever is the value of the left side of the equation is also the value of the right side.

This time, let us focus on the last four mathematical sentences namely, 3 + 4 < 0,
-7c  1, e – 4d > ½ and 2v + w  9a. These mathematical sentences are called
inequalities. Can you give your own examples of inequalities?
____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If your examples contain algebraic expressions together with the relation symbols <, , > or
, then you are correct.

How do you then define an inequality? _________________________________

________________________________________________________________
Very good. An inequality is a mathematical sentence that makes use of the relation
symbols <, , > or .

What do the symbols < and > imply? ___________________________________

________________________________________________________________Yes. The
symbols < and > imply that the left side of the inequality is not equal to the right side of the
inequality. This means further that the symbol < is used when the value of the left side of
the inequality is less than the value of the right side, while the symbol > is used when the
value of the left side of the inequality is greater than the value of the right side.

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Let us summarize what you learned in this lesson.

Remember

Self-check 1

A. Tell whether each of the following is a mathematical phrase or a mathematical

sentence.

B. Consider the following mathematical sentences. Classify as true, false or open.

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 C. Fill in the box with the relation symbol =, <, , > or .

Answer Key on page 21

Lesson 2

A knowledge of mathematical symbols and their meanings will enable you to

translate verbal sentences into mathematical sentences and vice-versa.

Let us study the chart below.

Word/Phrase Symbol

Now, let us use the phrases and their corresponding symbols given in the chart to
translate verbal sentence.

Example 2. Translate each mathematical sentence into a verbal sentence.

verbal sentence: ____________________________________________

If your answer is “

then you are very good. This means that you already know how to translate mathematical
sentences into verbal sentences.

Let us have a summary of our discussion.

To

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 Self-check 2

A. Translate each verbal sentence into a mathematical sentence.

Answer Key on page 21

Self-check 3

Determine whether each of the following is an example of a first-degree equation or a first-

degree inequality in one variable. Explain your answer.

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Lesson 4 Applications of
1. the situation if you use the variable a to represent the amount earned by Armand and
2.
3.

Let us summarize what you learned in this lesson.

Some real-life

Self-check 4

Read the following situations and do what is required.

Answer Key on page 22

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 What to do after (Posttest)

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

Answer Key on page 22

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 Answer Key

Pretest

Posttest page 18

END OF MODULE

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fuller, Gordon. (1977). College algebra. 4th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Company.

Leithold, Louis. (1989). College algebra. USA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.

Mckeague, C.P. (1990). Intermediate algebra: A text/workbook. 3rd ed. USA: Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich, Inc.

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