Topic 2.

0:
Mathematical Language, Symbols,
Expressions & Sentences

Mathematical Language

- Is a system used in the field of mathematics to communicate mathematical ideas,

concepts, and theories among others.
- It is distinct and unique from the usual language that people are used to, and is used to
communicate abstract, logical ideas.

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

1. Precise – the language is able to make very fine distinctions of things.

2. Concise – is able to say things briefly.
3. Powerful – expressing complex thoughts with relative ease, being understood by most
readers.

Mathematical Symbols

- Are used to refer to certain quantities, concepts, ideas among others.

- The most common used in basic mathematics are:
- Numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- The four fundamental operations (+, -, x, ÷)
- Inequality Symbols (≠, ≤, ≥, <, >) and
- Equal sign (=)

Mathematical Expressions and Sentences

Mathematical Expression Mathematical Sentence

- Is the mathematical analogue of an - Also called mathematical statement.

English “Noun”. - Is the mathematical analogue of an
- A correct arrangement of English “Sentence”.
mathematical symbols used to - Is a correct arrangement of
represent a mathematical object of mathematical symbols that state a
interest (Burns n.d). complete thought.
- It does not state a complete - It makes sense to ask if a sentence
thought, and does not make sense is true, false, sometimes true, or
to ask if an expression is true or sometimes false.
false. - Examples:
- Examples: 1. 11 is a prime number.
Numbers, sets, and functions. 2. 9 + 5 = 7 x 2
3. If an integer n is odd, then 2n is
an even number.
4. Octagon is a polygon with 8
sides.
5. 23 = 2 x 3
6. X + 2 = 5
Notes:

Examples 1 – 4 are TRUE Sentences.

Example 5 is a FALSE Sentence.

Example 6 is Sometimes True / Sometimes

False Sentence.

Author: Mr. Tyron C. Taylo

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT - BM CLUSTER
 Topic 2.0:
Mathematical Language, Symbols,
Expressions & Sentences

EXERCISE 1:
State whether the given is a mathematical expression or a mathematical sentence.

______________ 1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15

______________ 2. 10 - 2 x 5

______________ 3. 2x + 3

______________ 4. x2

______________ 5. f(x) =3x + 2x + 5

______________ 6. 10 - 2 x 5 = 0

______________ 7. 2x + 3 = 13

______________ 8. x2 = 9

______________ 9. 23 > 2 x 3

______________ 10. 32 ≠ 23

EXERCISE 2:
Translate the following verbal sentences to mathematical expressions.

Verbal Sentence Mathematical Expressions Operation

1. Sum of x and ten

2. Seven more than y

3. A number increased by
ten.
4. Two less than b

5. Five subtracted from y

6. Difference of x and three

7. A number decreased by
ten.
8. Twice a number.

9. The product of twelve and

a number.
10. Three fourths of a number.

11. The quotient of a number

and 8.
12. Ten divided by a number.

13. The ratio of a number and

four.
14. The square of a number.

15. A number cubed.

Author: Mr. Tyron C. Taylo

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT - BM CLUSTER
 Topic 2.0:
Mathematical Language, Symbols,
Expressions & Sentences

Mathematical Convention – Art of Problem Solving

A mathematical convention is a fact, name, notation or usage which is generally agreed upon by
mathematicians.

EXAMPLE:

PEMDAS Rule (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)

Four Basic Concepts

A. Set – is a collection of distinct or well – defined members or elements.

Examples:
1. ..., -6, - 4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, ... set of even numbers.
2. …, -5, - 3, -1, 1, 3, 5, … set of odd numbers
3. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, … set of prime numbers.
4. 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, … set of composite numbers.

B. Functions – an expression, rule, or law that defines a relationship between one variable
(the independent variable) and another variable (the dependent variable). f(x) can not have
more than one value for the same x. For example, in the function f (x) = x 2 any input for x
will give one output only. Functions can also be thought as a subset of relation. All functions
are relations, but not all relations are functions.
Examples:
1. f (x) = ½ x
2. f (x) = x2
3. f (x) = 2x – 5

C. Relations – is a connection between values in one set and values in another. A relation is
any set of ordered pairs. A relation can be check whether it is a function or not either
graphically or by looking at the values of x in the ordered pairs, if all the input values (x) are
different, then the relation becomes a function, and if the valued are repeated, the relation
is not a function.
Examples: (1, 2)
1. B = (1, 2), (1, 4), (2, 3), (3, 4) Example 1 is a relation
2. S = (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 4), (5, 5) but not a function
3. O = (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4)
4. A = (1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 4), (4, 5)

D. Binary Operations – a function whose input is two elements of the same set S and whose
output also is an element of S.

Author: Mr. Tyron C. Taylo

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT - BM CLUSTER