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Language of Math

Mathematical language uses precise symbols and expressions to concisely and powerfully express complex thoughts. An expression represents a mathematical object but does not state a complete thought, whereas a sentence makes a complete statement using symbols. Common types of expressions include numbers, sets, and functions. Variables represent unknown quantities, and letters have conventional meanings, such as constants for fixed values starting from the beginning of the alphabet and variables for unknowns toward the end.

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Noreen Ravanera
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60 views11 pages

Language of Math

Mathematical language uses precise symbols and expressions to concisely and powerfully express complex thoughts. An expression represents a mathematical object but does not state a complete thought, whereas a sentence makes a complete statement using symbols. Common types of expressions include numbers, sets, and functions. Variables represent unknown quantities, and letters have conventional meanings, such as constants for fixed values starting from the beginning of the alphabet and variables for unknowns toward the end.

Uploaded by

Noreen Ravanera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

AND SYMBOLS
CHARACTERISTICS OF
MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE
Mathematical Language- it makes easy to
express the kinds of thoughts that mathematicians
like to express.

Precise- able to make fine distinctions


Concise- able to say things briefly
Powerful- able to express complex thoughts with
relative ease
Expression

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; it does not make sense to ask if
an expression is true or false.
The most common expression types
are numbers, sets, and functions.
Sentence
A mathematical sentence is the
analogue of an English
sentence; it is a correct
arrangement of mathematical
symbols that states a complete
thought.
EXPRESSIONS VS. SENTENCES

In English subject an expressions do not state a


complete thought, but sentences do.

Mathematical expressions do not state a complete


thought, but mathematical sentences do.
A variable is a letter which is used to represent a
number or a set of numbers.

Mathematical Mathematical
Expression Sentence
67.54 12 + ( - 18 ) = - 6
( 12 ) ( -15 ) = - 180
23 – 12

Y+3 2x + 4 = 12
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
English alphabet,
English alphabet and Numerals, Greek letters,
Symbols
punctuations grouping symbols, special
symbols
Name Noun Expression
Operations and other
Action Verbs actions ( e.g., simplify,
rationalize etc. )
Equality, inequality,
What’s in a Verbs
elements in a set
Attribute of a sentence Fact or Fiction True or False
LETTER CONVENTIONS

EXAMPLES USUALLY MEAN


Constants (
Start of the alphabet a, b, c, . . .
fixed value )
Positive integers
From i to n : I, j, k, l, m, n
( for counting )
Variables
End of the alphabet . . . , x, y, z
( unknown )

Note: Those are not rules, but they are often used that way.
EXAMPLE : y = ax + b
 People will assume that a and b are fixed values.
 And that x is the one that changes, which in turn
makes y change.

Remember : It is conventional to write the n


number first before the letters. If in case the letters
are more than one, you have to write the letters
alphabetically.

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