Examining the Language and Symbols of Mathematics

Chapter Introduction
Language is very powerful. It is used to express our emotions, thoughts, and ideas.
However, if the recipient of the message cannot understand you, then there is no
communication at all. It is very important that both of you understand the language.
Mathematics is very hard for others to study because they are very overwhelmed with the
numbers, operations, symbols, and formulate. On the other hand, if one knows how to
interpret and understand these things, then the subject will be comprehensible.

Introduction
Comprehending a message is better understood once a person understand how things
are said and may know why it is said. The use of language in mathematics is far from ordinary
speech. It can be learned but needs a lot of efforts like learning a new dialect o language. The
following are the characteristics of the language of mathematics: precise, concise, and
powerful.
Activity (Collaboration)
Group Activity: Discuss the characteristics of the language of mathematics and give a n
example to supplement your explanation.
1. The Language of Mathematics is Precise.
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Example:

2. The Language of Mathematics is Concise.

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Example:

3. The language of Mathematics is Powerful.

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Example:
Mathematics and English as Language
Mathematics and English are both language that if you excel to both, you have a
bigger chance of being ahead in a world full of competition. The figure below will give you
an overview on their similarities and differences.

English Mathematics
Noun (Name given Sentence (must Expression (name Sentence (must
to object of interest) state a complete given to state a complete
thought) mathematical object thought)
of interest)
Place True: The word Number True: 1+2=3
Person “math” has four Set False: 1+2=4
Thing letters. Matrix ST/SF: x=1
False: The word Ordered pair
“math” has 5 Average
letters.
Sometimes
True/Sometimes
False: Math is
difficult subject.

Even though the words “noun”, “verb”, or “pronoun” are not used in mathematics, the
similarities with the English language can be observed:

Nouns could be fixed things, such as numbers, or expressions with numbers:

15 2(3-1/2) 42
The Verb could be the equals sign "=", or an inequality like < or >
Pronouns (things like it, he, you, etc) could be variables like x or y:
5x-7 xy2 -3/x
An Adjective could be a subscript like the "n" in x n
And they could be put together into a Sentence like this:
3x + 7 = 22

(And we actually do use the word sentence in mathematics!)

The language and Grammar of Mathematics

Mathematics has a language features unparalleled in other languages, like
presentation for examples “”for any real number or any numerical expression. In addition,
the language of Mathematics is packed with terms and symbols, which normally used in
everyday conversation.
 Mathematics has grammar too, but is the mathematical logic that determines whether
the statements are true or not true, valid or not valid. Therefore, we need to view
Mathematics as a language and must learn it in a way a language is learned.

Think about this!

Watch this video and answer the guide questions! Math isn’t hard, it’s a language by Randy
Palisoc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6yixyiJcos
1. What practice in learning Mathematics was emphasized by the speaker?
2. What part of the talk made you go back to the time when you were beginning to learn
Mathematics?
3. Do you agree that Mathematics is a human language, and should have been taught
the way English languages is being taught? Explain.

Mathematical expression and sentences

The mathematical analogue of a ‘noun’ will be called an expression. Thus, an expression
is a name given to a mathematical object of interest. Whereas in English we need to talk about
people, places, and things, we’ll see that mathematics has much different ‘objects of interest’.
The mathematical analogue of a ‘sentence’ will also be called a sentence. A mathematical
sentence, just as an English sentence, must state a complete thought.

Below are examples of mathematical expressions:

a) An ordered pair
b) A function ()
c) The set {2, 4, 6}

Below are example of mathematical sentences or statement.

➢ Twice a number is equal to fourteen.

2x = 14
➢ Two times a number is fourteen.
➢ Thrice the difference of twice a number
and one is four.
3(2x – 1) = 4
➢ Three multiplied to the difference of
twice a number less one is four.
a + 10 ➢ A number increased by 10

Mathematical Expression Mathematical Sentence

26.14 -11 + 7 = 4
5+2 1 – 4 = -3
𝑥 + √2 1∙𝑥 = 𝑥
Example:
Translate the following expression and sentences in English into Mathematical
expressions and statement or vice versa. Use the letter n to represent the unknown.
a) Seven less than a number.
b) 2n + 1.
c) The differences between the ages of mom and son is 27.
d) 3n – 1 = 23
Solution:
a) n – 7 or 7 – n
b) The sum of twice a number and 1.
c) n – n = 27
d) The difference of thrice a number and 1 is twenty-three.

Learning Activity
A. Translate each phrase or sentence into a mathematical expression or equation.
Use letter x to represent the unknown.
1. Twelve more than a number
2. Eight minus a number
3. An unknown quantity less fourteen
4. Six times a number is fifty-four
5. A number increased by three equals
twenty
6. One less than thrice a number
7. The difference between the ages of Anne
and Carl is 25
8. Twice a number less eight is equal to one
more than three times a number
9. Four times the square of a number
10. Three more than seven times a
number is nine more than five times the
number

B. Give your own expression and sentences that conform with the stated type and
truth value.
Take note: None means no verb or connectives being used.
Open means, need verification/conditions
𝐸𝑒 = 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ
𝐸𝑚 = 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠
𝑆𝑒 = 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ
𝑆𝑚 = 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠
 Sentence/Expression Type Verb/Connectives Truth Value of
Sentence:
True/False/Open
Ex. 3 + 3 > 6 𝑆𝑚 + and > False
1. Eight less than 𝑆𝑒 Less than and is False
five is five
2. True
3. Open
4. True
5. False
6. Open
7. True
8. Open
9. False
10. True

Analysis (Communication)
Classify each given equation as a mathematical expression (E) or a mathematical
sentence (S).
1. 𝑎 + 9 ___________________________________________________
2. 𝑏 + 0 = 9 ___________________________________________________
𝑡
3. 100 ___________________________________________________
4. 3.1416 ___________________________________________________
5. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝑥 ___________________________________________________

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

The common symbol used for multiplication is × but it can be mistakenly taken as the
variable ×. There are instances when the centered dot (∙) is a shorthand to be used for
multiplication especially when variables are involved. If there will be no conclusion, the
symbol may be dropped.

8 ∙ 𝑦 = 8𝑦
𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑏𝑐
𝑡 ∙ 𝑠 ∙ 9 = 9𝑠𝑡
It is conventional to rite the number first before the letters. If in case the letters are
more than one, you have to arrange the letters alphabetically.
Sets are usually represented by uppercase letters like S. the symbols ℝ and ℕ
represent the set of real numbers and the set of natural numbers, respectively. A lowercase
letter near the end of the alphabet like x, y or z represents an element of the set of real
numbers. A lowercase letter near the middle of the alphabet particularly from i to n may
represent an element of the set of integers.

Abstraction (Critically Thinking)

I. For each of the following expressions, write each in the most conventional way.
1. √ 3 ∙ 𝑥 ____________________________________________
2. 𝑧 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 5 _____________________________________________
3. 8 ∙ 𝑦 ∙ 𝑥 _____________________________________________
2 4 2
4. 𝑐 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 3 _____________________________________________
10 6
5. 11 ∙ 𝑧 ∙ 𝑡 ∙ 𝑦 _____________________________________________

I. What is the most conventional way to write 5 ∙ 11? Justify your answer.
Answer:
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