Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Second Semester, Academic Year 2021-2022

GEC 104
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

WRITTEN REPORT IN
LANGUAGE OF MATHEMATICS

Submitted by:

BERNIE S. VENTURA

(BSCE- 1B)

Submitted to:

DR. ENRICO R. RIVANO

(APRIL O6 2022)

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this discussion, the student is expected to:
1. Discuss the language used in mathematics;
2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language;
3. Evaluate mathematical expressions correctly; and
4. Recognize that mathematics is a useful language.

INTRODUCTION
In this report, we will be discussing about the language of mathematics, mathematics as a symbolic

language (symbols and syntax), different symbols and notations used in mathematics, components of

language of mathematics, characteristics of the mathematics language, mathematical expression,

mathematical sentence/ statement, and rules in translating mathematical sentence to English and vice

versa.

MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

The language of mathematics is the system used by mathematicians to communicate mathematical ideas

among themselves, and is distinct from natural languages in that it aims to communicate abstract, logical

ideas with precision and unambiguity.

This language consists of a substrate of some natural language (e.g., English), using technical terms and

grammatical conventions that are peculiar to mathematical discourse. It is also supplemented by a highly

specialized symbolic notation for mathematical formulas.

Characteristics of the Language of Mathematics

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to

express. It is:

• Precise (able to make very fine distinctions);

Ex. Instead of saying “what number must be added to 3 to make it 10” you can simply say “x+3 = 10, find x”

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• Concise (able to say things briefly);

Ex. Instead of saying “x+3 = 10, find x” you can just say “x+3 = 10”. It is obvious that the x is missing and you

need to find it, and by removing “find x” you make the equation brief but understandable.

• Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease).

Ex. the world's most famous equation “E = mc2”

The language of mathematics can be learned, but requires the efforts needed to learn any foreign language.

Mathematical Symbolic Language

Symbols and Notations

Mathematical symbols are used to perform various operations. The symbols make it easier to refer Maths

quantities. It is interesting to note that Mathematics is completely based on numbers and symbols.

The math symbols not only refer to different quantities but also represent the relationship between two

quantities. All mathematical symbols are mainly used to perform mathematical operations under various

concepts. As we know, the concept of maths is purely dependent on numbers and symbols.

There are many symbols used in Maths that have some predefined values. To simplify the expressions, we

can use those kinds of values instead of those symbols. Some of the examples are the pi symbol (π), which

holds the value 22/7 or 3.17. The pi symbol is a mathematical constant which is defined as the ratio of

circumference of a circle to its diameter. In Mathematics, pi symbol is also referred to as Archimedes

constant. Also, e-symbol in Maths which holds the value e= 2.718281828….This symbol is known as

e-constant or Euler’s constant. The table provided below has a list of all the common symbols in Maths

with meaning and examples.

There are so many mathematical symbols that are very important to students. To understand this in an

easier way, the list of mathematical symbols are noted here with definition and examples. There are

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numerous signs and symbols, ranging from the simple addition concept sign to the complex integration

concept sign.

Basic Mathematical Symbols with Name, Meaning and Examples

The basic mathematical symbols used in Maths help us to work with mathematical concepts in a theoretical

manner. In simple words, without symbols, we cannot do maths. The mathematical signs and symbols are

considered as representative of the value. The basic symbols in maths are used to express mathematical

thoughts. The relationship between the sign and the value refers to the fundamental need of mathematics.

With the help of symbols, certain concepts and ideas are clearly explained. Here is a list of commonly used

mathematical symbols with names and meanings. Also, an example is provided to understand the usage of

mathematical symbols.

Table 01. Basic Mathematical Symbols with Name, Meaning and Examples

Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

≠ not equal sign inequality 10 ≠ 6

= equals sign equality 3=1+2

< strict inequality less than 7 < 10

> strict inequality greater than 6>2

≤ inequality less than or equal to X ≤ y, means, y = x or y > x, but not

vice-versa.

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 Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

≥ inequality greater than or equal to A ≥ b, means, a = b or a > b, but

vice-versa does not hold true.

[] brackets calculate expression inside [ 2×5] + 7 = 17

first

() parentheses calculate expression inside 3 × (3 + 7) = 30

first

− minus sign subtraction 5−2=3

+ plus sign addition 4+5=9

∓ minus – plus both minus and plus 1 ∓ 4 = -3 and 5

operations

± plus – minus both plus and minus 5 ± 3 = 8 and 2

operations

× times sign multiplication 4 × 3 = 12

* asterisk multiplication 2*3=6

÷ division sign / division 15 ÷ 5 = 3

obelus

∙ multiplication dot multiplication 2∙3=6

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 Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

– horizontal line division / fraction 8/2 = 4

/ division slash division 6⁄2=3

mod modulo remainder calculation 7 mod 3 = 1

ab power exponent 24 = 16

. period decimal point, decimal 4.36 = 4 +36/100

separator

√a square root √a · √a = a √9 = ±3

a^b caret exponent 2^3=8

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√a fourth root √a ·4√a · 4√a · 4√a = a
4
√16= ± 2
4

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√a cube root √a ·3√a · 3√a = a
3
√343 = 7
3

% percent 1% = 1/100 10% × 30 = 3

n
√a n-th root (radical) n
√a · n√a · · · n times = a for n=3, n√8 = 2

ppm per-million 1 ppm = 1/1000000 10ppm × 30 = 0.0003

‰ per-mille 1‰ = 1/1000 = 0.1% 10‰ × 30 = 0.3

ppt per-trillion 1ppt = 10-12 10ppt × 30 = 3×10-10

ppb per-billion 1 ppb = 1/1000000000 10 ppb × 30 = 3×10-7

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Maths Logic symbols With Meaning

Table 02. Maths Logic symbols With Meaning

Symbol Symbol Name in Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

^ caret / circumflex and x^y

· and and x·y

+ plus or x+y

& ampersand and x&y

| vertical line or x|y

∨ reversed caret or x∨y

x bar not – negation x

x’ single-quote not – negation x’

! Exclamation mark not – negation !x

¬ not not – negation ¬x

~ tilde negation ~x

⊕ circled plus / oplus exclusive or – xor x⊕y

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Symbol Symbol Name in Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

⇔ equivalent if and only if (iff)

⇒ implies n/a n/a

∀ for all n/a n/a

↔ equivalent if and only if (iff) n/a

∄ there does not exist n/a n/a

∃ there exists n/a n/a

∵ because / since n/a n/a

∴ therefore n/a n/a

Calculus and Analysis Symbol Names in Maths

In calculus, we have come across different math symbols. All mathematical symbols with names and

meanings are provided here. Go through the all mathematical symbols used in calculus.

Table 03. Calculus and Analysis Symbol Names in Maths

Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

ε epsilon represents a very small ε→0

number, near-zero

limx→a limit limit value of a function limx→a(3x+1)= 3 × a + 1 = 3a + 1

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 Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

y‘ derivative derivative – Lagrange’s (5x3)’ = 15x2

notation

e e constant / Euler’s e = 2.718281828… e = lim (1+1/x)x , x→∞

number

y(n) nth derivative n times derivation nth derivative of 3xn = 3 n

(n-1)(n-2)….(2)(1)= 3n!

y” second derivative derivative of derivative (4x3)” = 24x

d2ydx2 second derivative derivative of derivative d2dx2(6x3+x2+3x+1)=36x+1

dy/dx derivative derivative – Leibniz’s ddx(5x)=5

notation

dnydxn nth derivative n times derivation n/a

y¨=d2ydt2 Second derivative derivative of derivative n/a

of time

y˙ Single derivative of derivative by time – n/a

time Newton’s notation

D2x second derivative derivative of derivative n/a

Dx derivative derivative – Euler’s notation n/a

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 Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

∫ integral opposite to derivation n/a

af(x,y)ax partial derivative ∂(x2+y2)/∂x = 2x n/a

∭ triple integral integration of the function n/a

of 3 variables

∬ double integral integration of the function n/a

of 2 variables

∯ closed surface n/a n/a

integral

∮ closed contour / n/a n/a

line integral

[a,b] closed interval [a,b] = {x | a ≤ x ≤ b} n/a

∰ closed volume n/a

integral

(a,b) open interval (a,b) = {x | a < x < b} n/a

z* complex conjugate z = a+bi → z*=a-bi z* = 3 + 2i

i imaginary unit i ≡ √-1 z = 3 + 2i

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 Symbol Name in

Symbol Maths Math Symbols Meaning Example

∇ nabla / del gradient / divergence ∇f (x,y,z)

operator

z complex conjugate z = a+bi → z = a-bi z = 3 + 2i

x→ vector V→=xi^+yj^+zk^ n/a

x*y convolution y(t) = x(t) * h(t) n/a

∞ lemniscate infinity symbol n/a

δ delta function n/a n/a

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Combinatorics Symbols Used in Maths

The different Combinatorics symbols used in maths concern the study of the combination of finite discrete

structures. Some of the most important combinatorics symbols used in maths are as follows:

Table 04. Combinatorics Symbols Used in Maths

Greek Alphabet Letters Used in Maths

Mathematicians frequently use Greek alphabets in their work to represent the variables, constants,

functions and so on. Some of the commonly used Greek symbols name in Maths are listed below:

Table 05. Greek Alphabet Letters Used in Maths

Greek Symbol

Upper Case Lower Case

Β β Beta b be-ta

Α α Alpha a al-fa

Δ δ Delta d del-ta

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Greek Symbol

Γ γ Gamma g ga-ma
Greek Letter Name English Equivalent Pronunciation

Ζ ζ Zeta z ze-ta

Ε ε Epsilon e ep-si-lon

Θ θ Theta th te-ta

Η η Eta h eh-ta

Κ κ Kappa k ka-pa

Ι ι Iota i io-ta

Μ μ Mu m m-yoo

Λ λ Lambda l lam-da

Ξ ξ Xi x x-ee

Ν ν Nu n noo

Ο ο Omicron o o-mee-c-ron

Π π Pi p pa-yee

Σ σ Sigma s sig-ma

Ρ ρ Rho r row

Υ υ Upsilon u oo-psi-lon

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Greek Symbol

Τ τ Tau t ta-oo
Greek Letter Name English Equivalent Pronunciation

Χ χ Chi ch kh-ee

Φ φ Phi ph f-ee

Ω ω Omega o o-me-ga

Ψ ψ Psi ps p-see

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Common Numeral Symbols Used in Maths

The roman numerals are used in many applications and can be seen in our real-life activities. The common

numeral symbols used in Maths are as follows.

Table 06. Greek Alphabet Letters Used in Maths

Name European Roman Hindu Arabic Hebrew

zero 0 n/a 0 n/a

one 1 I ١ ‫א‬

two 2 II ٢ ‫ב‬

three 3 III ٣ ‫ג‬

four 4 IV ٤ ‫ד‬

five 5 V ٥ ‫ה‬

six 6 VI ٦ ‫ו‬

seven 7 VII ٧ ‫ז‬

eight 8 VIII ٨ ‫ח‬

nine 9 IX ٩ ‫ט‬

ten 10 X ١٠ ‫י‬

eleven 11 XI ١١ ‫יא‬

twelve 12 XII ١٢ ‫יב‬

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Name European Roman Hindu Arabic Hebrew

thirteen 13 XIII ١٣ ‫יג‬

fourteen 14 XIV ١٤ ‫יד‬

fifteen 15 XV ١٥ ‫טו‬

sixteen 16 XVI ١٦ ‫טז‬

seventeen 17 XVII ١٧ ‫יז‬

eighteen 18 XVIII ١٨ ‫יח‬

nineteen 19 XIX ١٩ ‫יט‬

twenty 20 XX ٢٠ ‫כ‬

thirty 30 XXX ٣٠ ‫ל‬

forty 40 XL ٤٠ ‫מ‬

fifty 50 L ٥٠ ‫נ‬

sixty 60 LX ٦٠ ‫ס‬

seventy 70 LXX ٧٠ ‫ע‬

eighty 80 LXXX ٨٠ ‫פ‬

ninety 90 XC ٩٠ ‫צ‬

one hundred 100 C ١٠٠ ‫ק‬

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These are some of the most important and commonly used symbols in mathematics. It is important to get

completely acquainted with all the maths symbols to be able to solve maths problems efficiently. It should

be noted that without knowing maths symbols, it is extremely difficult to grasp certain concepts on a

universal scale.

Components of Language Of Mathematics

Figure 01. Components of Mathematical Language

Just like English language, mathematical language also has its own components.

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English VS Mathematics

English: Nouns VS Sentences

English, nouns are used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things (common noun), or to name a

particular one of these (proper noun). Sentences are a set of words that is complete in itself, typically

containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and

consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.

English Sentence

A typical English sentence has at least one noun, and at least one verb. For example, consider the sentence

Drax loves mathematics

Here, ‘Drax’ and ‘mathematics’ are nouns; ‘loves’ is a verb.

Mathematics: Expressions VS Sentences

Expressions

The mathematical analogue of a ‘noun’ will be called an expression. In maths, an expression is a

combination of numbers, variables, functions (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication or division etc.)

Expressions can be thought of as similar to phrases. In language, a phrase on its own may include an action,

but it doesn't make a complete sentence.

Ex. 5, 2+3, 10/2, (6-2) + 1, 1+1+1+1+1

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Sentences

A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of

mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. In mathematical logic, a sentence (or closed

formula) of a predicate logic is a Boolean-valued well-formed formula with no free variables.

A sentence can be viewed as expressing a proposition, something that must be true or false. Sentences

have verbs. In the mathematical sentence ‘3+4=7’, the verb is ‘=’.

For example,
The sentence ‘1+2=3’

the sentence ‘1+2=4’

the sentence ‘x=2’

the sentence ‘x+3=3+x’

FIGURE 02. ENGLISH VS MATH

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 TABLE 07: ENGLISH VS MATH

Rules in Translating Mathematical Sentence to English Sentence and Vice Versa

Here are the common key words in English that uses in math expressions.

Figure 03. Common math symbols

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 Figure 04. Key Words

For translating English sentences to mathematical sentences these key words are important because we

must familiarize ourselves in these words for us to translate easily.

Example:

Figure 05. Example of Translating

In English Phrases Key words if the word for addition is ‘more’ the position of numbers and/ or variable is

not going to exchange. Ex. 5 more x = ‘5+x’.

If the words are ‘more than’, ‘added to’, greater than’ we need to change the position of the variables.

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Ex. 5 more than x = ‘x+5’

5 added to x = ‘x+5’

5 greater than x = ‘x+5’ and it is the same as Subtraction.

In Addition and Subtraction, you must be careful about the order of the number.

English Sentences to Mathematical Sentences and Vice Versa

Table 08. Key words for inequality sign

For Equal sign ‘=’, the key words are ‘is’, ‘is equal’, and ‘equal’.

We use these key words and symbol to translate English Sentences to Mathematical Sentences and Vice

Versa. For variable we random letters or the commonly used ‘x’ to represents a certain number.

Example: English sentences to mathematical sentences

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In translating, Mathematical Sentences to English Sentences, the expressions are usually named by the last

operation to be performed in the expression.

Example. Mathematical sentences to English Sentences

Translate the following Mathematical Sentences to English Sentence

1. x + 2 = 12

- The sum of a number x and two is equal to twelve

- Two more than x is twelve

- x plus 2 equal twelve

2. 9y = 18

- Nine times a number y equals eighteen

- The product of the number nine and y is eighteen

- Nine multiplied by y is equal to eighteen

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 3. 9 + 8 > 1

- The sum of eight and nine is greater than one

- Nine added to eight is more than one

4. x - 8 ≤ 2

- The difference of a number x and eight is less than or equal to two

- x minus eight is at most two

- Eight less than x is no more than two

5. 8x + 7 = 90

- The sum of seven and eight time a number x is equal to ninety

- 7 more than the product of eight and x is ninety

SUMMARY

Mathematical language is the language of mathematics is the system used by mathematicians to

communicate mathematical ideas among themselves, and is distinct from natural languages in that it aims

to communicate abstract, and logical ideas. The characteristics of mathematical language are precise,

concise, and powerful. Just like English language, Mathematical language have its own components.

Mathematical language used symbols, sign, notation, and etc. to make it understandable to the learners.

We all now know that like English noun and sentence, mathematical language has Mathematical

Expressions and Mathematical Sentences that uses symbols, signs, and notations for their representation.

In translating sentences from English language to Mathematical language, we use key words that helps us

to translate theses sentences to each other. We can say that mathematical language is use for our everyday

life because everywhere we go we can apply the language of mathematics in many different situations.

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REFERENCES

- Bernido, Ryan. 2020. “Mathematical Language and Symbols.” HubPages.

https://discover.hubpages.com/education/Mathematical-Language-and-Symbols.

- “Components of language of Mathematics | Download Scientific Diagram.” n.d. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Components-of-language-of-Mathematics_fig1_305809396.

- Ford, Joe. 2021. “What are the three characteristics of mathematical language? – AnswersToAll.”

AnswersToAll.

https://answerstoall.com/technology/what-are-the-three-characteristics-of-mathematical-language/.

- “Key Words Used in Math Word Problems.” n.d. English Study Here.

https://englishstudyhere.com/vocabulary/key-words-used-in-math-word-problems/.

- “Language of mathematics.” n.d. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_mathematics#cite_note-1.

- “Mathematical notation.” n.d. Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_notation.

- “Math Symbols | All Mathematical Symbols.” 2020. Byjus. https://byjus.com/maths/math-symbols/.

- “Please! Ideas for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Mathematics.” 2021. One Mathematical Cat.

https://www.onemathematicalcat.org/cat_book.htm.

- “Translating Words into Math on the GMAT – Kaplan Test Prep.” 2019. Kaplan Test Prep.

https://www.kaptest.com/study/gmat/land-score-translate-words-math-gmat/.

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ASSESSMENT

A. Translate the following English sentences into mathematical sentences.

1. six less than twice a number is forty five.

2. A number minus seven is equal to ten

3. The sum of six and a number is more than four

4. Twelve divided to a number is less than or equal to one

5. Eight times a number is forty-eight

B. Translate the mathematical sentences into English sentences.

1. x + 12 = 8

2. 3x = 15

3. x/15 > 30

4. 10/x < 2

5. x – 6 ≥ 20

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ANSWER TO ASSESSMENT

A. Answers

1. 2x - 6 = 45

2. x – 7 = 10

3. 6 + x > 4

4. x/12 ≤ 1

5. 8x = 48

B. Answers

1. Twelve added to a number is the same as eight

2. Three times a number equals fifteen

3. The quotient of a number to fifteen is greater than thirty

4. Ten divided by a number is less than two

5. The difference of a number x and eight is greater than or equal to twenty

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