MATHEMATICS IN THE
MODERN WORLD
Connect people in th world
Indispensable tool
MATHEMATICAL
LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
o Discuss the language, symbols and
conventions of mathematics.
o Explain the nature of mathematics as a
language.
o Acknowledge that mathematics is a
useful language.
o Compare and contrast expression and
sentences.
Mathematical Language
Mathematical language is the system used to communicate
mathematical ideas.
Mathematics is a spoken and written natural languages for
expressing mathematical language.
Mathematical language is an efficient and powerful tool for
mathematical expression, exploration, reconstruction after
exploration, and communication.
It consists of some natural language using technical terms
(mathematical terms) and grammatical conventions that are
uncommon to mathematical discourse, supplemented by a
highly specialized symbolic notation for mathematical formulas.
Mathematical notation used for formulas has its own grammar
and shared by mathematicians anywhere in the globe.
Mathematical language is being precise, concise, and powerful
Expression versus Sentences
An expression (or mathematical expression) is a finite
combination of symbols that is well-defined according to
rules that depend on the context.
Symbols can designate numbers, variables, operations,
functions, brackets, punctuations, and groupings to help
determine order of operations, and other aspects of
mathematical syntax.
Expression – correct arrangement of mathematical
symbols to represent the object of interest, does not
contain a complete thought, and cannot be determined if
it is true or false.
Some types of expressions are numbers, sets, and functions
Expression versus Sentences
Sentence (or mathematical sentence) – a statement
about two expressions, either using numbers,
variables, or a combination of both.
Uses symbols or words like equals, greater than, or
less than.
It is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols that
states a complete thought and can be determined whether
it’s true, false, sometimes true/sometimes false.
Mathematical language
is PRECISE
• Able to make very fine
distinctions
• Means a little manipulation of
symbols will be a different
thing
1 ≠ 11
10 + 22 = 32
10 - 22 = 32 X
15 ˂ 30
15 ˃ 30 X
There are many symbols in Mathematics to
understand their meaning, there are two
things:
1. Knowing the
CONTENT
There are many symbols in Mathematics to
understand their meaning, there are two
things:
2. Knowing the
CONTEXT
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE
CONVENTION
Mathematical Convention is a fact, name, notation, or usage which is
generally agreed upon by mathematicians.
All mathematical names and symbols are conventional.
PEMDAS (Parenthesis, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition
and Subtraction.)
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE CONVENTION
Different and specific meaning within mathematics-
group field term factor,
Mathematical Taxonomy —
Axiom conjecture theorems corollaries
Formulas are written predominantly left to right, even
when the writing system of the substrate language is
right-to-left.
Latin alphabet is commonly used for simple variables
and parameters.
Common Mathematical Symbols
Operators
Variables
Greek
Common Mathematics Operators
*Note that you need to know the context
Common Mathematics
Variables
This are use when quantities take different values.
This symbols are important because some measures
and characteristics may vary. Such as speed of a
car, prices of commodities height of NBA player,
scores in Mathematics activity, etc.
Common Greek Letters
used in Mathematics
Mathematical
expressions
= (equal) < (less-than)
> (greater-than) + (addition)
- (subtraction) (multiplication)
(division) (element)
(for all) (there exists)
(infinity) (implies)
(if and only if) (approximately)
(therefore)
Mathematical language
is CONCISE
• Able to say things briefly
VERBAL PHRASE EXPRESSIONS
The sum of six and a number 6+x
Eight more than a number y+8
A number plus five a+5
A number increased by seven n+7
A number decreased by nine n–9
Four times a number 4 * b (4b)
Ten divided by a number 10 / m
Mathematical language
is POWERFUL
• Able to express complex thoughts with
relative ease
For instance:
Work is a measure of
the energy expended
in applying a force to
move an object.
