Chapter 2

Mathematical Language and symbols

2.1 The language of mathematics
2.2 Expressions versus sentences
2.3 Unary and Binary operations
2.4 Some Fundamental of Logic
Learning objectives:
1. Classify group of words or symbols as mathematical expressions or
mathematical sentences;
2. Identify the verbs in mathematical sentences.
The Language of Mathematics
Language- a system of communication used by humans. Language can
be spoken or signed; some have a written form.
This section introduces the students to the basic structure of
mathematical language. It covers the linguistic functions of
mathematics.
5 Characteristics of Mathematics

1. It is precise because it can be stated clearly.

2. It is concise because it can be stated briefly.
3. It is powerful because it is capable of expressing complex ideas
into simpler forms.
4. It is nontemporal (i.e., it has no tenses) which makes it so unique
as compared to other languages.
5. It also has vocabulary and parts of speech.
 Parts of speech for Mathematics (English vs. Mathematics)
Just any ordinary language, mathematics also has syntax and structure which can
be categorized into five forms.
1. Numbers are the very first symbols that can be used to represent quantity.
These are nouns (objects) in the English language.
2. Operation symbols like +, ÷, ˄, and v can act as connectives in a
mathematical sentence.
3. Relation symbols such as =, ≤, ≥, and are used for comparison
and acts as verbs in the mathematical language.

4. Grouping symbols such as ( ),[ ],∧{}, are used to associate groups of

numbers and operators.
5. Variables are letters that represent quantities and act as pronouns.

Mathematical expression versus sentence

A Mathematical expression refers to object and interest acting as the
subject in the ordinary language.
A sentence with a complete thought is a mathematical sentence which can
be regarded as true or false.
Example 1
a. The following are examples of mathematical expressions:
4, -5, 5+2, 2x (All do not state complete thoughts)
b. The following are mathematical sentences:
1. 5+2 is equal to the square root of 49
5+2=√ 49 Here the symbol “+” is a connective while “=” is the verb.
The sentence is true.
2. 10 divided by 2 is less than 3.
10÷2¿ 3, The symbol “÷” is a connective while the operator” ¿” acts as
the verb. The statement is false.
Examples 2
Which of the following are sentences?
a. Manila is the capital of the Philippines.
b. The province of Cavite
c. The number 5 is a composite number.
d. (X+1)2
e. √ x−1=3
√ 16−1=3
4-1=3

Solution
a. This is an English sentence with” is” the verb. The truth value is T since it
is true that Manila is the Capital of the Philippines.
b. This is not a complete thought because it does not contain any verb.
c. This is a mathematical sentence with “is “acting as verb. The statement
is false.
d. This is just a mathematical expression which does not contain any
relation symbols.
e. This is a mathematical sentence with symbol “=” acting as verb. This
sentence is true only for x=16.

Exercises #4;
1. Find other names for the number “12” using the following
symbols.
a. + _____________________
b.÷ _____________________
C.√❑
2. Identify the verb in each sentence. Determine whether the
sentence is true or false.
A. EDSA is the longest road in Metro Manila.
Verb__________ True or False__________
B. The capital of Metro Manila is Quezon City.
Verb__________ True or False__________
C.8 ( 2 )−6=√ 100
Verb__________ True or False__________
D. π <3
Verb__________ True or False__________
e.4 - 5 = 5 – 4
Verb__________ True or False__________

3. Classify if each item is an expression (E) or a sentence (S).

a. Pretty girl
_____________________
b. 3 + 4 = 4 + 3
_____________________
c. The word “vowel” start with a consonant.
_____________________
d. 5 X 3
_____________________
e. 5 X 3 = 3 X 5
_____________________
f. Hayward got injured in the game.
_____________________
 g. You and I
_____________________
h. 3 x=3

_____________________
i. 3 x+ 4 y

_____________________
j. 1(5) = 5
_____________________
k. x ≤ 5

_____________________
l. Math is a language.
_____________________

Unary and Binary operations

Not all operations in mathematics involve two operands or numbers

such as the expression 2+3=5.The plus sign between 2 and 3 signifies
the operation of addition. The plus symbol here involves a binary
operation. As you may guess, a unary operation accepts only one value
or operand.
Examples of unary operations:
-3, -2x, +3xy
Examples of Binary operations:
22+4=26, 4+7=11, 3x-25
Properties of addition and multiplication, as binary operations, on the set of real
numbers.
I. Closure property
Addition: The sum of any two real numbers is also a real number.
Example 12+34=46
Multiplication: The product of any two real numbers is also a real
number. 3x6=18
II. Commutative Property
Addition: For any two real numbers X and Y, X+Y =Y+X
Example: 1.5 +7.8=7.8+1.5
9.3 = 9.3
Multiplication: The product of any two real numbers is also a real
number.
Example: 8X5=5X8
40= 40
III. Associative Property
Addition: For any two real numbers x,y and z,x(y+z)=(x+y)+z
Example: 3+(10+9) = (3+10) +9
3+19 = 13+9
22 = 22
Multiplication:
For any two real numbers x,y and z, x.(y.z)=(x.y).z
Example: 3(9.6) = (3.9).6
3(54) = (27)6
162 = 162
IV. Identity property
Addition: For any real number x, x+0=x. The number 0 is called the
additive identity.
Example: 78+0=78
Multiplication: For any real number x, x.1=x. The number 1 is called the
multiplicative identity.
Example: 98x1=98
V. Distributive Property of multiplication over addition
For any two real numbers x, y and z, x(y+z)=xy+xz
Example: a(-x+y-z)= -ax + ay - az
VI. Inverses for Binary operations
 Addition: For any real number x, x+(-x)=0
Example: 100+(-100)=0
1
Multiplication: For any real number x, x. x =1
Example: 98.1=98

The mathematical Logic

Symbolic logic is a powerful tool for analysis and
communication in mathematics. It represents the natural
language and mathematical language with symbols and
variables.
Statement is an assertion which can be regarded as true or
false. A simple statement is a single statement which does not
contain other statement as parts. A compound statement
contains two or more statements. A logical connective
combines a simple statement into compound statements.
Example1:
The following sentences are simple statements.
I will go to the mall.
The sky is cloudy.
You will receive your promotion.
The main parts of symbolic logic are statements and connectives. The
following shows some basic propositional logic with their symbols.
Connectives Propositional logic Symbols Example Read
 Not Negation p Not p (p is
false)
And/But Conjunction ˄ p˄q P and q (Both p and q are true)
Or Disjunction v pvq p or q (Either p is true or q is
true or both are true)
Implies Conditional → p→ q If p then q
If and only if Biconditional ↔ p↔q p implies q and q implies p
P if and only if q

Example 2

Consider the following statements:

h: Harry is not happy.
v: Harry is going to watch a volleyball games.
r: It is going to rain
s: Today is Sunday.
Write the following compound statements in symbolic form.
a. Today is Sunday and Harry is not happy.
b. Today is Sunday and Harry is not going to watch a volleyball game.
c. If it is going to rain, then Harry is not going to watch a volleyball game.
d. Harry is going to watch a volleyball game if and only if he is happy.
e. Harry is happy only if it is not going to rain.
f. Harry is going to watch a volleyball game or it is going to rain.

Solution
a. S˄ h c. r→ v e. h → r
b. S˄ v d.v↔ h f. vV r

Example 3

Convert the following symbolic statements into words given the following
propositions.
p: Gian plays volleyball.
q: Lanz plays basketball.
a. p c. p→ q
b. p ˄q d. pv( p →q ¿
Solution:
a. Gian does not play volleyball.
b. Gian plays volleyball and Lanz plays basketball.
c. If Gian plays volleyball, then Lanz does not play basketball.
d. Gian plays volleyball, or if Gian does not play volleyball, then Lanz plays
basketball.

Example 4:
p: Adele is a singer.
q: Adele is a songwriter.
r: Adele is an actress.
a. Write (P˄ q ¿ → r into words.
b. Write “If Adele is an actress, then Adele is not a singer and Adele is not a
songwriter “in symbolic form.
Solution:

a. If Adele is a singer and she is a songwriter, then Adele is not an actress.

b. r→( p ˄ q)

Exercise # 5
Let p and q be the propositions:
P: I buy a lotto ticket today.
Q;I win the 135 –million peso jackpot on Saturday.

Express each of the following propositions as an English sentence.

a. P ˄ q
b. pv ( p ˄ q )
c. p → q
d. P↔ q
e. P→ q

Exercise # 6
Let p and q be the propositions:
p:It is very cold.
q: It is raining.

Write the following propositions using p, q, and logical

connectives.
a. It is very cold and raining.
b. It is very cold but not raining.
c. If it is very cold, then is also raining.
d. It is very cold or it is raining, but it is not raining.

Derived Forms of a Conditional Statement

There are three ways to restate a conditional Statement –Converse, the

inverse, and the contrapositive .However, restating the statement into
one of these forms may change the meaning of the original statement.
The conditional statement, p→q, may be restated in the following
forms.
Converse Form: q→p
Inverse Form: p→ q

Contrapositive: q→ p

Example
Write the converse, inverse, and contrapositive of the given sentence.
p: She is allowed to join the volleyball team.
q: She knows how to receive the ball.
Solution;
Converse: If she knows how to receive the ball, then she is allowed to join the
volleyball team.
Inverse: If she is not allowed to join the volleyball team, then she does not know
how to receive the ball.
Contrapositive: If she does not know how to receive the ball, then she is not
allowed to join the
Volleyball team.

Exercise # 7:
Give the converse, inverse and contrapositive.
1. P: This movie is interesting.
Q: I am watching it.

2. P: p is a prime number.
Q: It is odd.

Truth Table:
a) Assertion: b) Negation: c)Conjunction:
 P P P P Q P˄Q

T T F T T T
F F T T F F
F T F
F F F
d) Disjunction: e) Conditional: f) Biconditional:
P Q PvQ P Q P→Q P Q P↔Q
T T T T T T T T T
T F T T F F T F F
F T T F T T F T F
F F F F F T F F T

Example 1:
Construct the truth table for the compound statement. ( pvq)→ q

P q Pvq q (pvq)→ q
T T T F F

T F T T T

F T T F F

F F F T T
 2.Find the truth table of p v ( q↔p)

P q ~q ~q↔p pv(~q↔p)
T T F F T
T F T T T
F T F T T
F F T F F

3.~p→(q^p)

p q ~p q^p ~p→(q^p)
T T F T T
T F F F T
F T T F F
F F T F F

Activity # 8
Construct the truth tables of the following compound propositions:
1. ~q→p
2. ~p^(q↔~p)
3. (p↔q)^~p
4. (qv~p)→q