MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERS

TOPIC 2: EXPRESSIONS VS. SENTENCES

TOPICS

2.1 Characteristics of Mathematical Language

2.2 Expressions vs. Sentences
2.3 Open Sentences
2.4 Truth of Sentences
2.5 Conventions in Languages

2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

People frequently have trouble understanding mathematical ideas. Not
necessarily because the ideas are difficult but because they are presented in foreign
language – the language of mathematics.
The characteristics of mathematical language are divided into three (3), namely:
1. Precise - able to make very fine distinctions
2. concise - able to say things briefly
3. Powerful - able to express complex thoughts with relative ease.

2.2 EXPRESSIONS VS. SENTENCES

An expression is the mathematical analogue of an English noun; it is a correct
arrangement of mathematical symbols used to represent a mathematical object of
interest. An expression does NOT state a complete thought; in particular, it does not make
sense to ask if an expression is true or false. Some of the examples in mathematical
expressions are:
1. Numbers: -1; 2; 0; 9
2. Functions: 𝑥 + 2; 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 7
3. Sets: {1, 2, 3}; {−12, −10, 2, 4}
4. Ordered Pairs: (10, 5); (−1, 3)
1 −3
5. Matrices:
4 6
6. Vectors: 𝐴⃗; 𝐶⃗

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

arrangement of mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. It makes sense to
ask about the TRUTH of a sentence: Is it true? Is it false? Is it sometimes true/sometimes
false? If two or more expressions are compared with mathematical operations, then the
resulting form is a mathematical sentence. However, if the sentence is true or not, then
it is a matter of analysis and discussions. Some of the examples are the following:
1. Equation: 𝑥 + 2 = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 7; 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3}
2. Inequality: 𝑥 + 2 < 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 7; 𝑥 + 2 ≥ −3𝑥 + 7

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2.3 OPEN SENTENCES
A group of numbers and symbols is called a mathematical phrase. If a phrase
contains a variable which is used to denote any value, then the phrase is called an open
phrase.
Example.
Mathematical Phrase Open Phrase
3(4 + 5) 3(𝑥 + 5)
15 + 28 𝑛 + 28
(7 ∙ 2) + 15 (7 ∙ 𝑥) + 15
A phrase is simply a group of symbols which does not express a complete thought.
A mathematical sentence is a group of symbols that expresses a complete thought. Thus,
when we say “four squared plus ten equals twenty six,” we are stating a mathematical
sentence which can be written as 4 + 10 = 26. However, if we choose a variable, say 𝑥,
instead of the number 4, then our sentence becomes “the square of a number plus ten
equals twenty six” which can be written 𝑥 + 10 = 26. This sentence is called an open
sentence since we do not know the value of 𝑥. Therefore, an open sentence is a statement
that contains one or more variables which become either true or false when specific
values are assigned to the variable.

Example 1 Represent the following English statements by

mathematical equation:

1. “𝑥 is 25 more than 𝑦” or
“𝑥 is greater than 𝑦 by 25”
Equation: 𝑥 = 24 + 𝑦
2. “The sum of 𝑥 and 𝑦 is 45”
Equation: 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 45
3. The sum of four consecutive integers is 46.
Equation: 𝑥 + (𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥 + 2) + (𝑥 + 3) = 46, where
𝑥 is the smallest of the four integers.
4. “𝑥 is twice 𝑦”
Equation: 𝑥 = 2𝑦
5. “𝑥 is 15 less than twice 𝑦”
Equation: 𝑥 = 2𝑦 − 15
6. “Myla’s age is 5 more than twice it was 7 years ago.”
Equation: 𝑥 = 5 + 2(𝑥 − 7)

2.4 TRUTH OF SENTENCES

Sentences can be true or false. The notion of truth (i.e., the property of being true
or false) is of fundamental importance in the mathematical language. Consider the
following examples: (a) 5𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 7𝑥; (b) 5𝑥 – 2𝑥 = 𝑥; and (c) 𝑥 = 1. Considering
example (a), we say that the sentence is true since for any value of 𝑥, the expression on
the left side is always equal to the expression on the right side of the equation. However,
considering example (b), we say that the sentence is false since for any value of 𝑥, the
expression on the left side is always not equal to the right side expression. Moreover, we
can make this sentence true by changing the verb (=) used. In order for this sentence to
be true, can write: 5𝑥 – 2𝑥 ≠ 𝑥; or 5𝑥 – 2𝑥 > 𝑥. Further, considering example (c), we
cannot say if the sentence is true or false since 1 is dependent on the value of 𝑥. If 𝑥 is

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really equal to 1, then the given sentence is true but the variable 𝑥 is an open expression
which means, it can have any value. Apparently, we say that example (c) is sometimes
true/sometimes false.

2.5 MATHEMATICAL CONVENTIONS

Mathematics also has its conventions, which help readers distinguish between
different types of mathematical expressions. The following are the list of examples of
mathematical conventions in which you should be familiar with:
1. the use of commas;
2. simplification of expressions;
3. the use of symbols as representation;
4. rounding off of numbers (unless otherwise stated);
5. the use of bars in repeating decimals;
6. graphical representation of data;
7. proper writing of equation when introducing new variable; and
8. proof statements like: If-then, Thus, So, Therefore, It follows that, Hence.

Mathematical Conventions Dealing with Linear Equations

A linear equation is a statement which can be written in the form
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 with 𝑎 ≠ 0 and 𝑥 is of the first degree.
The expressions on both sides of the equal sign are called the sides or members of
the equation.
A solution or root of the equation is a number that makes the equation a true
statement. It is said that a root or a solution satisfies the equation.
The solution set is the set of all solutions or roots of an equation. To solve an
equation means to find all solutions.
An identity is an equation that is true for every value of the variable, for which all
expressions are defined. Every allowable number is a solution of an identity. Consider
Example 3.2

Example 2 Discuss why the following equation is true.

4𝑥 − 25 − (2𝑥 − 5)(2𝑥 + 5) = 0

Solution:
The given equation is true since the left side expression is always
equal to 0, the right side expression, for every real value of the variable 𝑥.

If an equation is not an identity, then it is a conditional equation. Consider Example

3.

Example 3 Discuss why the following equations are considered

conditional equation.
𝑥=7
4𝑥 + 9 = 7𝑥 + 18
Solution:
The equation 𝑥 = 7 is a conditional equation since it is true only if
𝑥 has the value 7. The equation 4𝑥 + 9 = 7𝑥 + 18 is also conditional
since it is satisfied only by 𝑥 = −3, but not by 𝑥 = 5 or any other real
number.

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Two equations are equivalent if every solution of one is also a solution of the
other. Thus two equations are equivalent if and only if they have the same solution set.
To solve equations, extensive use of the concept of equivalent equations will be
used. To do this, we will use some of the properties of real numbers given earlier, namely,
𝑎 = 𝑏 is equivalent to 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 𝑏 + 𝑐 for every 𝑐
𝑎 = 𝑏 is equivalent to 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑏𝑐 for every 𝑐 ≠ 0

For instance, the equations 𝑥 − 32 = 14 and 𝑥 − 32 + 32 = 14 + 32 are

equivalent and so are the equations 6𝑥 = 30 and = .

Steps in solving a linear equation:

1. Remove grouping symbols, if any, by using the distributive property.
2. Remove denominators, if any, by multiplying both sides of the equation by the
least common denominator. Denominators must not be zero. Also, be careful not
to multiply by zero in any form because the resulting equation will not be
equivalent to the preceding one.
3. Group all terms containing the variable you are solving to one side and all the
other terms to the other side, and then solve for the variable.

The above steps will be illustrated by the following examples.

Example 4 Solve the following equations:

1. 5𝑥 − 6 = 9

2. 6𝑥 − 7 = 2𝑥 + 1

3. − = +

4. + = ( )
+

5. = 1+

Solution:

1. 5𝑥 − 6 = 9 given
5𝑥 = 15 adding 6 to both sides
𝑥=3 dividing both sides by 5

2. 6𝑥 − 7 = 2𝑥 − 1 given
6𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 1 + 7 adding 7 and −2𝑥 to both
sides
4𝑥 = 8 combining similar terms
𝑥=2 dividing both sides by 4

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Example 4 Solve the following equations (continue…):

Solution:

3. Since LCD of the fractions is 12, we will multiply both sides by 12

to eliminate fractions.

12 − = 12 + multiply both sides by the

LCD 12
6𝑥 − 8 = 9𝑥 + 1 distributive axiom
6𝑥 − 9𝑥 = 1 + 8 adding 8 and −9𝑥 to both
sides
−3𝑥 = 9 combining similar terms
𝑥 = −3 dividing both sides by −3

4. Simplify the equation by multiplying both sides by the LCD 8(𝑥 +

1), which should be equal to 0, which means that 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥 5 5 3
8(𝑥 + 1) + = 8(𝑥 + 1) +
𝑥+1 8 2(𝑥 + 1) 4

8𝑥 + 5(𝑥 + 1) = 4(5) + 6(𝑥 + 1) Distributive axiom

8𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 5 = 20 + 6𝑥 + 6 Distributive axiom
8𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 6𝑥 = 20 + 6 − 5 adding −6𝑥 − 5 to both
sides
7𝑥 = 21 combining terms
𝑥=3 multiplying both sides by
1/7.

Since the only restriction was 𝑥 ≠ −1, then 𝑥 = 3 is a

solution, and the solution set, SS= { 3 }. In fact each side of the
given is 11/8 when 𝑥 = 3.
5. We will multiply both sides by the LCD 𝑥 − 3 and will therefore
stipulate that 𝑥 ≠ 3.

2𝑥 = 1(𝑥 − 3) + 6 multiply both sides by 𝑥 − 3

2𝑥 = 𝑥 − 3 + 6 distributive axiom
2𝑥 − 𝑥 = −3 + 6 adding −𝑥 to both sides
𝑥=3 combining terms
∴ 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

In Example 4 number 5, if there is a solution of the original equation, it must be

𝑥 = 3. However, 3 cannot be a solution of the given equation since replacing 𝑥 by 3
involves division by 0. So the given equation has no solution, that is, SS= { }. In other
words, the first step, multiplying by 𝑥 − 3, was in effect multiplying by 0. The number 3
in this example is called an extraneous root of the given equation because it is not a root
of the given equation.

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REMARK 2.1
Do not multiply each side of an equation by 0 in any form.

Example 5 Solve the following equations (assume to avoid division by

0):

1. + =( )( )

2. − =

3. 𝑆 = 𝜋𝑟 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ for ℎ
Solution:

1. Simplify the equation by multiplying both sides by the LCD (𝑥 −

2)(𝑥 − 5), which should not be equal to 0, which means that 𝑥 ≠
2 and 𝑥 ≠ 5.

2(𝑥 − 2) + 5(𝑥 − 5) = 7 multiplying by the LCD (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 −

5).
2𝑥 − 4 + 5𝑥 − 25 = 7 distributive axiom
7𝑥 − 29 = 7 combining terms
7𝑥 = 36 adding 29 to both sides
𝑥= dividing both sides by 7
Since the restrictions are 𝑥 ≠ 2 and 𝑥 ≠ 5, then 𝑥 = is a
solution and the solution set, SS= .

2. 6(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) − 1(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) = 2(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3),

multiplying both sides by LCD (2𝑥 −
1)(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)
6(𝑥 − 𝑥 − 6) − (2𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 2) = 2(2𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 3)
multiplying the binomials

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Example 5 Solve the following equations (assume to avoid division by

0):

1. + =( )( )

2. − =

3. 𝑆 = 𝜋𝑟 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ for ℎ

Solution (continue…)

2. 6(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) − 1(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) = 2(2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3),

multiplying both sides by LCD (2𝑥 −
1)(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)

6(𝑥 − 𝑥 − 6) − (2𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 2) = 2(2𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 3)

multiplying the binomials
6𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 36 − 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 4𝑥 − 14𝑥 + 6

distributive axiom
4𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 34 = 4𝑥 − 14𝑥 + 6
combining terms
5𝑥 = 40 adding 14𝑥 + 34 − 4𝑥
𝑥=8 dividing both sides by 5

The solution of the given equation is 𝑥 = 8 since this

number does not make any denominator equal to zero. SS = { 8 }.

3. 𝑆 = 𝜋𝑟 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ given
𝑆 − 𝜋𝑟 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ adding −𝜋𝑟 to both sides
=ℎ dividing both sides by 2𝜋𝑟

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