Chapter 2: Mathematical Languages and Symbols
Mathematics all over the world is the same despite the difference in language we used.
Mathematics will remain the same, therefore it can act as our universal language.
Mathematical phrase or formula has the same meaning, regardless of the language used to
explained it. Mathematics makes people understand and connect in this way even though
there are other communication barriers.
We have numerous mathematical language and symbols that will help us to learn and
understand mathematics. In this lesson, you will have comprehensive mathematical
language learning lessons, to develop your ability to read, write, speak and understand
mathematics correctly.
2.1 Writing Expression and Equation
An expression is a number, a variable, a combination of numbers and variables and the
symbols of operation and an equation consists of two terms/expression, which are
connected by an equal sign.
Example:
Write an algebraic equation for each sentence or expression.
Let x be the number
Phrase/Sentence Algebraic Equation
7 plus a number 7+x
Add 7 and a number 7+x
The sum of 7 and a number 7+x
7 increased by a number 7+x
7 more than a number x+ 7
7 is more than a number 7 >x
We cannot avoid different problems or issues when we are converting English phrases
into mathematical statement. From the book “Deal with the World Today Through
Mathematics” by Marion Faye Q. Ariola, Xyrus Ulysses M. Villanueva, et. al., the following are
the common issues in converting English Phrases into Mathematical Statement.
Issue Incorrect Process Correct Process
Using the wrong key word One half of twenty. 20
1
or
20
2 2
for the problem 20 ÷ 2
1
The clue words are “half”
and “of”. Half indicates
1
dividing by 2, not by 2. Also
1
“of” indicates multiply by 2,
1
not divide by
2
Incorrect order with Eight less than thrice a 3x -8
subtraction number
8-3x
Not validating by translating Thrice the sum of six and 3 (6+9)
from symbol back to words nine
3·6+9
Use of punctuation Four times a number, plus 4x + 5
five
4(x+5)
Redundancy 7(3)=21 Thrice of seven is 21
Thrice the product of 7 and Seven multiply by three is
three is twenty-one. 21
Seven times three is equal to
21
Multiple operations Six plus four divided by two The sum of six and four all
is equivalent to 5 over is five.
The ratio of six and four, and
two is equal to five.
Missing the significance of George worked 4 hours on Weekdays is equal to 5
word or phrase weekdays and 8 hours on days(4 · 5) , while weekends
weekends. How much does are just 2 days (8 · 2).
he get in a week if he makes 180 pesos · number of hours
180 pesos per hour? in a week
4 · 180 + 8 · 180
180 [(4·5) + (8·2)]
2.2 Variables
A variable is a symbol, usually a letter that holds a value that may increase or decrease over
time or takes different values in different situation. Like for example, let’s have the
polynomial x2 – 5x +6. In this polynomial, variable x is used which have different values. If
we will try to substitute a value of 3 to variable x, the whole polynomial will have an
equivalent value of 0. For every case, the value of the variable may be different, or sometimes
might not exist. Sometimes a variable is represented using a symbol like for example in
trigonometry. An angle is often represented using a symbol like for example in trigonometry.
An angle is often represented using a symbol called theta (𝟇). The variables in an expression
or equation may be categorized into different types.
Example [6]
