19

2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

2.0 MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

2.0 Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you should be able to:
1. discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics;
2. explain the nature of mathematics as a language; and
3. perform operations on mathematical expressions.

2.1 Introduction
Mathematics is written in a symbolic language that is
designed to express mathematical thoughts. Language is
necessary to facilitate communication or to express your
ideas, feelings or opinion. It serves as the transmitter of
information and knowledge. It leads to understanding of
one’s language and also helps to construct social identity.
This part of the module describes how mathematical
thoughts, methods and facts, are expressed in symbols.
You will be taught the mathematical way of thinking that
will serve you in a wide range of situations. Sometimes,
when you start working on mathematical problems, you
find it hard to proceed because you lack enough knowledge
on its language and symbols. The closer you get to a
solution to a problem, the more you need language that
expresses mathematical ideas clearly and precisely. This
unit will give you some of the special language of variables,
sets, relations, and functions in order to warm up your
mental muscles and do your best in performing
mathematical expressions and eventually, solving problems activities.
The “You try this” section of the module should be answered. It will serve as
your grade in the participation. So, you must answer all of them.

2.2 Mathematical Language and Symbols

What is mathematical language?
Mathematical language is used to convey knowledge about things such as numbers,
symbols, sets, functions and what we do with these things like performing operations such
as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What are the vocabulary of mathematics?

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 20
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

Symbols:
The 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Operations symbols and sets: +, -, x, /,ᴜ, ∩, ‫ﬤ‬, etc.
Symbols for values: x, y, z, etc.
Special symbols: ꞊, <, >, π, etc.
Logic symbols: Σ, ν, ϵ, ϶, Λ, , , etc.
Set notations: N, Z, R, Q, C, etc.

You will find below additional examples:

Symbol Meaning Example
+ plus, added to, increased by 1+2=3
- minus, subtracted from, less than 10-7=3
x, • times, multiplied by, the product of 2x6=12, 3•4=12
÷, / divided by, the quotient of, the ratio of 25/5=5, 6/3=2
( ) grouping symbols 4(a + 2)
[ ] grouping symbols 3[(a-b)(n+m)]
{ } set symbols {1, 2, 3}
π pi A = πr2
ꝏ infinity ꝏ is endless, 1/0= ꝏ
= equals, is equal to, is 10+4=14
≈ approximately equal to π ≈ 3.14
≠ is not equal to 1≠5
<, ≤ is less than, is less than or equal to 2<7, a≤5
>, ≥ is more than/greater than, is more 9 > 3, b ≥ 2
than/greater than or equal to
˚ degrees 35˚
! factorial 4!=4x3x2x1=24
→ implies (if…then) a and b are odd →a+b is even
↔ “if and only if” or iff or “is equivalent to” x=y+1 ↔ y=x-1
‰ percent, part of a hundred 15%
• •
•• therefore a=b • • b=a

Variables: The symbols you use to represent quantities/numbers that vary or take
different values are called variables. You may represent speed of a car as s,
while the travel time may be represented as, t. Subscript can be added to
define the variable further, like, t1, t2, t3 as the time travelled in the morning,
in the afternoon and in the evening, respectively. Here are additional
examples:

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 21
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

Special Uses of Letters

Examples What they mean

Start of the alphabet a, b, c, … constants (fixed values)
From c to g c, d, e, f, g positive integers
(counting)
End of the alphabet …x, y, z variables/unknown

Rules in the use of symbols

Characteristics of Math Language

Precise (able to make very fine distinctions or definitions)
Concise (able to say things briefly)
Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease)

Difficulties
The word “is” could mean equality, inequality or membership in set
Different use of number (cardinal, ordinal, nominal, ratio)
Mathematical objects such as sets and functions
Words “and” and “or” mean differently in mathematics from its English use

The Language of Mathematics

Expression (name given to Sentence (must state a complete thought)

mathematical object of interest)

SET MATRIX TRUE FALSE ST/SF

10
{3} 10 1+2=3 1+2=4 x=1

NUMBER FUNCTION ORDERED

PAIR Note: ST means sometimes true
3 f(x) SF means sometimes false
(x, y)

You try this! (number 3)

A. Translate each sentences to mathematical symbols.

1. What is the sum of 35 and y?
2. What is forty-five less than m?

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 22
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

3. What if the number (a) of patients infected by COVID19 virus was reduced by 505?
4. I drive my car at 85 mi/hr. How far will I go in x hours?
5. Ten students rent an apartment for y per month. How much will each pay?
B. Translate the following mathematical symbols to verbal statements.
6. x + y = 13
7. 2x – 3y = 24
8. 3xy / 1-y
9. d - 2(3x+3y)
10. (4x + y)/cd

Mathematical logic

Why do you need to study mathematical logic? Simply because, it is a branch of

mathematics with close connections to computers. It integrates mathematical logic and the
formal applications of logic to other areas of mathematics. Its importance cannot be
overstated. No conjecture in mathematics is considered fact until it has been proven
logically and valid analysis is done within the rigors of logic. Let us start by first knowing
what is a statement or proposition.

A statement or proposition is a declarative sentence that is true or false but not both. In here,
propositional variables are used such as p, q, r, s, t, etc.

Examples:
Determine whether the following statements are propositions or not.

1. Catbalogan City is the capital of Samar.

Answer: Proposition because it has a truth value (TRUE)
2. Nora is beautiful and sexy.
Answer: Not Proposition because it is neither true nor false
3. What are you doing?
Answer: Not Proposition because the sentence is interrogative.
4. x < 7 if x = 10
Answer: Proposition because it has a truth value (FALSE)

If a proposition is true, then we say that its truth value is true

and if a proposition is false, we say that its truth value is false.

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 23
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

Do you know what are logical connectives? Well, they are used to combine simple
propositions to form compound statements. Words or phrases such as as and, or, if, then, if
and only if, are used. These are Conjunction, Disjunction, Implication, Biconditional, and
Negation. George Boole, in his symbolic logic, used symbols like p, q, r and s to represent
simple statements and connective symbols such as ᴧ , ᴠ, ¬, →, ↔. A truth table will be used
in our discussion to display the relationships between the truth values of propositions. It is
valuable in the determination of the truth values of propositions constructed from simpler
propositions. Let us start our discussion with these definitions:

Let p and q be propositions.

1. Conjunction. The conjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “p and q” denoted by p ᴧ q which is true only when both p and q are true,
otherwise, it is false.

Truth Table for Conjunction

p q pᴧq
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F

2. Disjunction. The disjunction of the propositions p and q is the compound statement

“p or q” denoted by p ᴠ q which is false only when both p and q are false, otherwise,
it is true.

Truth Table for Disjunction

p q pᴠq
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F

3. Negation. The negation of the statement p is denoted by ¬p where ¬ is the symbol

for “not”. The truth value of the negation is always the reverse of the truth value of
the original statement.

Truth Table for Negation

p ¬p
T F
F T

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 24
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

4. Implication. The implication of the propositions p and q is the compound statement

“if p, then q.” denoted by p→q which is false only when both p is true and q is false.

Truth Table for Implication

p q p→q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T

5. Biconditional. The biconditional of the propositions p and q is the compound

statement “p if and only if q.” denoted by p ↔ q which is true only when both p and q
have the same truth values.

Truth Table for Biconditional

p q p ↔q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T

To be able to guide you, which operators should come first, you have to remember this:

Operator Precedence
¬ 1
ᴧ 2
ᴠ 3
→ 4
↔ 5
Look at this example:

1. Construct the truth table for ¬p ᴠ ¬q.

Solution:
p q ¬p ¬q ¬p ᴠ ¬q
T T F F F
T F F T T
F T T F T Answer
F F T T T

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 25
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

You try this! (number 4)

Construct the truth table for (¬p ᴧ q) ᴠ (p ᴧ ¬q).

p q ¬p ¬q ¬p ᴧ q p ᴧ ¬q (¬p ᴧ q) ᴠ (p ᴧ ¬q)
T T F F F F ?
T F F T F T ?
F T T F T F ?
F F T T F F ?

Look at this additional example:

2. Translate into logical expressions.

You can access the internet from the campus if you are a Psych student or you are
not a freshman.

Solution:

Let p be the proposition “you can access the internet from the campus.”
Let q be the preposition “you are a Psych students.”
Let r be the proposition “you are a freshman.”

Answer: p → (q ᴠ r)

You try this! (number 5)

Translate into logical expression.

You cannot access the internet if you are a sophomore unless you are a Psych
student.

Solution:

Let p be the proposition “you are sophomore.”

Let q be the preposition “you can access the internet.”
Let r be the proposition “you are a Psych student.”

Answer: ?

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 26
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

Converse, Inverse and Contrapositive

For every implication or conditional statement, you can construct its converse,
inverse and contrapositive.
Suppose we have the following statements for P and Q.
P: It rains
Q: They can cancel school

The implication, converse, inverse, and contrapositive will be written in this manner.
Implication: P →Q
If it rains then they cancel school.
Converse: Q→P
If they cancel school then it rains.
Inverse: ¬P → ¬Q
If it does not rain then they do not cancel school.
Contrapositive: ¬Q → ¬P
If they do not cancel school, then it does not rain.

You try this! (number 6)

State the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the proposition below:

1. If you will attend review classes, then you will pass the licensure examination.

Converse: ?
Inverse: ?
Contrapositive: ?

2.3 References

Quintos, R. T. Jr., Alba, M. C. S., Esquerra, I. T., Cruz, C. G., Camacho, J. D., Jugo, C. M.,
David, A. D., & Tolentino, M. Q. (2019). Mathematics in the modern world. St.
Andrew Publishing House.

Rodriquez, M. J., Salvador, I. G. O., Ragma, F. G., Torres, E. M., Manalang, E. M.,
Oredina, N. A., & Ogoy, J. I. N. (2018). Mathematics in the modern world. Nieme
Publishing House Co. Ltd.

2.4 Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above.

C. M. D. Hamo-ay
 27
2 | Mathematics in the Modern World

Name _____________________________ Course, Year and Section __________

Exercise No. 2 (Mathematical Language and Symbols)

I. Determine whether the following statements is a proposition or not. Write

your answer before each number.
_________ 1. All multiples of 5 are odd numbers.
_________ 2. The sum of two prime numbers is even.
_________ 3. Is it raining?
_________ 4. Come to me!
_________ 5. All even numbers are multiples of 2.

II. Construct a truth table for each of these compound statements.

1. (p ᴠ q) → (p ᴧ q)

Solution:
p q (p ᴠ q) (p ᴧ q) (p ᴠ q) → (p ᴧ q)

2. (p ↔ q) → (p ᴧ q)

Solution:
p q

III. State the converse, inverse and contrapositive of the proposition below.

1. The ship will sink if it is overloaded.

Converse: ________________________________________________
Inverse: __________________________________________________
Contrapositive: ____________________________________________

C. M. D. Hamo-ay