CHAPTER 2

Mathematical Language and Symbols

INTRODUCTION:

Learning the different concepts in mathematics needs a thorough

understanding of the basic mathematical language and symbols.
Students should be knowledgeable in the different mathematical
language and symbols in order for them to comprehend better the
mathematical ideas imbedded within the symbols used. Though there
are other factors that affect success in mathematics, building a firm
foundation in mathematics lies on the language and symbols used.
In this chapter, we will explore the language of mathematics and
different symbols used in order to understand the basic concepts of
mathematics and use these symbols effectively.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

1. translate mathematical symbols to expression and vice versa

2. discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of
mathematics
3. explain the nature of mathematics as a language; and
4. perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly.

Inculcating Concepts (Input/Lesson Proper)

Language of Mathematics
The language we use everyday is different from the language of
mathematics. According to Jamison (2000), the language of
mathematics and the ordinary language differ in three ways: (1)
nontemporal (2) devoid of emotional content (3) precision.
Nontemporal. The language of mathematics is nontemporal.
This means that it has no past, present, or future in mathematics.
Everything is just “is”.
Devoid emotional content. This means that the language of
mathematics lacks emotion from formal or informal mathematical
discourse.
Precision. Mathematical language must be precise. Unlike
ordinary speech which is full of ambiguities, innuendoes, hidden
agenda and unspoken cultural assumptions.
According to Burns (2017), there are three characteristics of the
language of mathematics: (1) precise (2) concise (3) powerful.
Precise. This characteristic means to be able to make very fine distinction.
Concise. The language of mathematics should be brief but
understandable.
 Powerful. This characteristic means to be able to express complex
thoughts with relative ease.
Definition
Definition is a concise statement of the basic properties of an
object or concept which unambiguously identify that object or concept
(Jamison, 2000). Please take note the three important phrases in the
definition: concise statement, basic properties and unambiguous. The
definition is concise if there is no extraneous or unnecessary
information. The definition includes basic properties if it is simply
stated and intuitively appealing. Furthermore, basic properties are
those properties that do not require complex derivation or hard to work
with. The definition is unambiguous if it is definite and explicitly
stated. The definition of a term should avoid using word being defined.
Jamison (2000) gives guidelines for a good definition:
A definition must be written as a complete, grammatically correct
English sentence.
A definition must be an “if and only if” statement.
A definition must be a clearly stated genus and a clearly stated
species.
The quantifiers in a good definition must be explicitly and clearly
stated.
The term being defined must be underlined.
Let us take the different definitions of a square.
DEFINITION 1. Square is a parallelogram in which all interior
angles are right angles and opposite sides are equal in length.
It can be inscribed in a circle and its area is given by the square
of one of its sides.
This is an example of a poor definition of a square. It is not
concise because it contains too many information which are correct but
most are unnecessary.
DEFINITION 2. A square is a parallelogram whose diagonals are
equal in length.
This is again an example of a poor definition. Notice the
definition is true and concise, but it presents the characteristic of a
square rather than definition. Furthermore, defining the property is not
basic.
DEFINITION 3. A square is a quadrilateral with sides equal in
length.
This is a bad definition of a square. It is ambiguous. We do not
know how many sides are equal.
DEFINITION 4. A square is a quadrilateral whose all sides are
equal and all angles are right.
This is a good definition of a square. It is concise, includes basic
properties and unambiguous. Furthermore, this definition is complete –
nothing more nothing less.

Lesson 2.1 - Translation of Mathematical Symbols to

expression and vice versa
Basic Mathematical Symbols
To better understand mathematics and its language you should
familiarize yourself in the different symbols used.
Symbol Meaning
 Implication
 If and only
 if
 and
or
 empty set
 intersection
union proper
⊂

subset subset
⊆
or equal to
element
 not
 for all/ for every
 there exist
 therefore

 or ℛ
 relation

ℝ
Real

ℤ
Numbers
Integers
ℚ Rational Numbers
 Such that (used when dealing with sets)
 Such that (used when dealing with
statements)

Example 2.1: Translate the given mathematical symbols to

mathematical expressions:
 x  ℝ.
Answer: For all x element of Real Numbers
 𝑦  ℤ  𝑦2 ≤ 0.

Answer: There exist 𝑦 element of integers such that 𝑦2 is less than or

equal to 0.
𝐵⋂ 𝐶=∅
Answer: Set B intersection set C is equal to a null set.
{𝑥 |𝑥3 − 1 > 0}

Answer: 𝑥 such that 𝑥3 − 1 is greater than 0.

p∨qrpq
Answer: Not p or not q implies r if and only if p and q.
Translate the given mathematical expressions to mathematical
symbols:
For all 𝑥 greater than 𝑦 element of real numbers, there exist an integer
such that
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑥2𝑦2

Answer:  𝑥 > 𝑦  ℝ,  ℤ  𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑥2𝑦2

Set A is a proper subset of set B if and only if all elements of set A are
in set B.
 Answer: A ⊂ B   A  B
Not all rational numbers are element of integers
Answer:  ℚ  ℤ

Using/Applying Knowledge (Application/Integration) Translate

the given mathematical symbols to mathematical expressions and vice
versa.

2.  𝑥, 𝑦  ℝ, 𝑥 ÷ 𝑦  ℚ
1. p  q  q  p

3. Set C is equal to a set of integers 𝑦 such that 𝑦2 − 4𝑦 + 5 ≥ 0.

4. p and not q implies q if and only if not q or p implies p.
5. Set of integers union set of rational numbers is equal to a set of real
numbers.

Lesson 2.2 Expressions Vs. Sentences

Inculcating Concepts (Input/Lesson Proper)
In dealing with expressions such as gain, more, sum, total,
increase, plus all mean to add. Words such as difference between,
minus, decrease, less, fewer, and loss all mean to subtract. Words
such as the product of, double (2x), twice (2x), triple (3x), a fraction of,
a percent of, or times all mean to multiply. And finally, words such as
the quotient of, divided equally, and per mean to divide.
Experience and practice with problem solving will help better
acquaint you with the key words that translate into these operations.
These are the examples of translating mathematical
phrases/sentences into mathematical symbols:

Addition Subtraction
Mathematical Mathematical
Mathematical Mathematical
statement symbol
statement symbol
1.) The sum of a and 1.) the difference of 25 − 𝑦
18 25 and y
560 − ℎ
2.) 14 plus c
2.) 560 minus h
3.) w less than 32 32 − 𝑤
9−𝑚
3.) 15 added to n
4.) 9 decreased by m
𝑝−𝑥
4.) 22 more than f
5.) p reduced by x
𝑗 − 13
5.) t increased by m
6.) 13 greater than p 6.) 13 subtracted
from j
500 − 𝑑
7.) exceeds q by 33
7.) 500 less d
Mathematical Expression and Mathematical Sentence
Mathematical expression is a group of characters or symbols
representing a quantity and/or operation
An algebraic expression is a mathematical expression which
contains numbers, variables represented by letters and operations that
indicate addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
Examples: n + 3 m–5 8x
2c
⅔a 3b/8 +1
A mathematical sentence is a mathematical expression which
is either true or false. The expression 25+1=26 and -4-5=9 are both
examples of mathematical sentence, although the first is true, and the
second is false.
Open mathematical sentence – a sentence which could be true or
false depending on the value or values of unknown quantities in the
sentence.
Example: x – 5 = 20
X2 – 10x + 25 = 0

Closed mathematical sentence - a sentence which is known to be

true or known to be false.
Example: x2 + 1 = 0 has no solution in the set of real numbers is a
closed sentence because it is false
Mathematical Equations is a statement of equality between two
algebraic expressions which contain one or two unknowns.
 Example: 2x2 – x + 1 = x - 1

Using/Applying Knowledge (Application/Integration)

MATCHING TYPE. Match Column A with Column B

Column A Column B
A. 7xy
1. The sum of the numbers x and y
B. x + y
2. The square of the sum of x and y
B. 2(x + y)
3. The sum of the squares of x and y
B. 9 – x +
y
4. Nine less than the sum of x and y
B. 9 – (x +
y)
5. Nine less the sum of x and y

B. (x + y) -
9
6. Twice the sum of x and y
B. x2 + y2
7. Thrice the product of x and y
B. (x + y)2
8. Thrice the quotient of x and y
B. 4x3 + y3
9. The difference between x and y divided by four

B. 4(x3 +
y3)
10. Eight more than the product of x and y
B. 4(x + y)
11. The product of 7, x and y

B. x + y2 –
10
12. The product of four and the sum of x and y

B. 8 + xy
13. The sum of x and the square of y diminished by ten
B. 3/x − y
14. Four times the sum of the cubes of x and y
B. (x-y)/4
15. The product of six and two less than the number x
B. 3xy
 C. 3(x/y)

D. 6 (x - 2)

Lesson 2.3 - Basic Concepts of Sets, Relations, Functions and

Binary Operations

Inculcating Concepts (Input/Lesson Proper)

There are four basic concepts in mathematical language: sets,

relations, functions, and binary operations.
Sets
Set is a collection of a well-defined objects. These objects may be
numbers, points in space, or even other set. The objects in the set
must share common property or characteristic and these objects are
called elements or members. A set is denoted by any capital letter.
There are three common ways to denote set.
Roster method/Listing all elements in braces. For example, A =
{1, 3, 5, 7, 9}, this indicates that set A contains elements 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
and no other elements. The notation {1, 3, 5, 7, 9} is read as “the set
with elements 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.”
Using ellipsis (…) inside braces. The ellipsis indicates that the
pattern establish before the ellipsis continues. For example,
B = {1, 2, 3, … , 100} indicates that “B is a set of positive
numbers from 1 up to 100.” Another example, C = {0, 1, 2, 3, …}
indicates that C is a set of nonnegative numbers and it continues
indefinitely.
Using set builder notation. Set builder notation uses braces to
enclose a property that is the qualification for membership in the set.
For example,
C = {x  x is a nonnegative integer}. The vertical bar read as
“such that”. Therefore, the given set is read as “C is a set of all x such
that x is a nonnegative integer.”

Set of Numbers:
W = {0, 1, 2, …} where the 3 dots represent infinity
N = {natural / counting numbers}
= {1, 2, 3, …}
= {integers}
= {…-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3…}
L = {letters in the English alphabet}
= {a, b, c, … z}
 P = {Prime numbers}
= {2, 3, 5, 7, . . .}
O = {odd numbers}
= {1, 3, 5, 7, . . .}
E = {even numbers}
= {2, 4, 6, . . .}

Example 2.2: Write each of the following given sets in a roster method
and in a set builder notation.

1. Set of pottery products.

2. Set of letters in an English alphabet.
3. Set of odd numbers greater than three but less than fifteen.
4. Set of natural numbers less than 10.
5. Set of integers greater than negative three.
6. The solution set of x + 5 = -1.
7. Set of prime numbers greater than six but less than twenty
Answers:

Roster Method Set Builder Notation

H={x|x is a pottery product}
1 H={flower vase, pot, stove}

2 B={a, b,c,…,x, y, z} B={x|x is a letter in an English alphabet}

3 C={5, 7, 9, 11} C={x|3<x<15 and xO}

4 D={1, 2, 3,…, 7, 8, 9} D={x|x<10 and xN}

5 E={-2, -1, 0,...∞} E={x|x>-3 and xI}

6 F={-6} F={x|x=-6}

7 G={7, 11, 13, 17, 19} G={x|6<x<20 and xP}

KINDS OF SETS

empty set by { } or ∅.
Empty set or Null set – set which contains no element. We denote the

Equal sets –if they have the same elements.

Example: A and B are equal denoted by A = B.
A= {1,2,3} and B = {2,1,3}
Equivalent sets – if they have the same number of elements.
Example: A and B are equivalent denoted by A ~ B.
a.) A= {1,2,3} and B = {2,1,3}
b.) A= {apple, orange, guava} and B = {2,1,3}
Finite set – if it contains only a countable number of elements. There is
a last element in a set.
Infinite sets – if the counting elements has no end.
 Example: Whole numbers are infinite set.
A = {1,2,3,…}
A= {stars in the sky}
Universal set – is the totality of elements under consideration.
Example: If A = {1,2,3} and B = {3,4,5}, then the universal set U is U
= {1,2,3,4,5}.
Joint sets – sets that have common elements.
A = {4,5,6} and B ={6,10,11) are joint sets.
Disjoint sets if they have no common elements.
E = {a,b,c} and F = {e,p,g} are disjoint sets.
Subsets – set A is a subset of set B denoted by A ⊆ B, if every element
of A belongs to set B.
A ⊆ B if x ϵ A then x ϵ B.
Example: 1.) A = {4, 5, 6} and B ={4, 5, 6,10,11)
2.) A = {4, 5, 6} and B ={4, 5, 6)

B but not in A, then A is a proper subset of B denoted by A ⊆ B.

Aside from the definition, if there is at least one element found in

Example: A = {4, 5, 6} and B ={4, 5, 6,10,11)

There are two improper subsets of any given set, the empty set and
the set itself.

elements are all the subsets of A. It is noted that if X ϵ A, then {x} ⊂ A

Power sets – the power set of A denoted by P(A) is the set whose

and {x} = P(A). Moreover, since ϕ ⊂ A then ϕ and A are also elements
of P(A). It can be shown that if A has n elements, P(A) has 2 n number
of elements where n = number of elements.
Note: The null set or empty set is a subset of every given set.
Example 2.3:
Let A = {a, b}, 2n = 22 = 4
P(A) = {ϕ, {a}, {b}, {a,b}}
Let B = {a, b, c}, 2n = 23 = 8
P(B) = {ϕ, {a}, {b}, {c}, {a,b}, {a,c}, {b,c}, {a, b, c}}

Operations on Sets
Union of two sets A and B – denoted by A U B and read as “A
union B”, is the set of all elements that are in A or in B or in both A and
B.
Example: A = {4,5,6} and B ={4, 5, 6,10,11)
A U B = {4, 5, 6,10,11)
Intersection of A and B – denoted by A ∩ B and read as “A
intersection B”, is the set of only those elements that are in both A and
B.
Example: A = {4,5,6} and B ={4, 5, 6,10,11)
 A ∩ B = {4, 5, 6}
Set complement of A is a set whose elements are found in the
universal set but not in set A.
Given: U = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
A = {4, 5, 6}, B = {1, 7, 5, 6}
Examples:
1.) A’ = {1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10}
2.) B’ = {2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10}
Set Difference: A – B is the element of A but not in B.
Given: A = {4, 5, 6}, B = {1, 7, 5, 6}
Examples:
1.) A – B = {4}
2.) B – A = {1, 7}
10. Cartesian Product – Let A and B are sets. The set
A x B = {(𝑎, 𝑏)|𝑎 ∈ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ∈ 𝐵} is the Cartesian product of A and B.

Example: If A = {1,2,3} and B = {3,4}, then we have

A x B = {(1,3), (1,4), (2,3), (2,4), (3,3), (3,4)}

Using/Applying Knowledge (Application/Integration)

U = {1,2, …, 10} A = {1,4,9} B = {2,3,5,7} C = {2,4,6,8,10}
Find:

1. A’ ∩ B
2. (A U B’) ∩ C
3. (A – C)’ ∩ B
4. (C’ ∩ B) – A
5. (A U B) ∩ B’

7. 𝑛(𝐶)
6. A x B

5 = )�(� 7.
A x B = {(1,2), (1,3), (1,5), (1,7), (4,2),(4,3),(4,5),(4,7),(9,2),(9,3),(9,5) ,(9,7)} �� 6.
9} A U B) ∩ B’ = {1,4,( 5.
A= C’– ∩ B)( 4.
C)’ {3,5,7}
∩ B = {2,3,5,7} A – ( 3.
8,10} A U B’) ∩ C = { (4,6, 2.
A’ ∩ B = {2,3,5,7} 1.

Application/
) pplying
( Knowledge A
sing/
Answer
U Key:
Integration
VENN DIAGRAM
A Venn diagram is a pictorial representation of sets and the
logical relationships between them. The sets are drawn as circles
within a boundary that represents the universal set. An area of overlap
between two circles (sets) contains elements that are common to both
sets, and thus represents a third set. Circles that do not overlap
represent sets with no elements in common (disjoint sets). The British
logician John Venn (1834-1923) introduced the method in his work
Symbolic Logic (1881).
Symbols used to define relationships between objects:
 - stands for union (it usually uses the conjunction or, either or)
 - stands for intersection (it usually uses the conjunction and, both)
∅, { }- stands for null or empty
set A’ – objects not in set A
U – stands for the universal set

 - element
 - not an element
 - subset – a set whose elements are found in a given set
 - not a subset
 - infinite set – elements in a set cannot be counted

Example 2.4: A group of students were asked about their modes of

transportation in going to school. Suppose that P is the instance that a
student rides on a public utility vehicle, S on a school bus and O in a
private car. Illustrate the following using the Venn Diagram the
instance where a student rides:
Example 2.5: 500 households were asked about their favourite native
delicacies that uses sugar (kalamay) as one of its ingredients. 400
responded that they prefer either a ‘suman’, coconut jam or both. 200
said they prefer ‘suman’ but not a coconut jam. 150 said they prefer
coconut jam but not ‘suman’.

COCONUT
JAM SUMAN

150 50 200

a. How many households prefer ‘suman’? 250

b. How many households prefer coconut jam? 200
c. How many households prefer neither coconut jam nor ‘suman’? 100
d. How many households prefer both coconut jam and ‘suman’? 50
e. How many households prefer either coconut jam or ‘suman’?
350
From the above problem, it implies that: 200 households prefer
‘suman’only and 150 households prefer coconut jam only.
Example 2.6:
A group of cyclist were asked whether they have reached
Aningalan, Mt. Igmitao, or Igtuble. 300 said they have reached
Aningalan and Mt. Igmitao. 250 said they have reached Igtuble and Mt.
Igmitao. 220 said they have reached Aningalan and Igtuble. 100 said
they have reached these three places. 500 said they have reached
Aningalan. 700 said they have reached Mt. Igmitao and 440 Igtuble.
30 said they have not reached the three places.
 Mt. Igmitao How many have reached
Aningalan only?
How many have reached Mt.
Aningalan Igmitao only?
How many have reached Igtuble only?

Igtuble How many have reached Aningalan and

Mt. Igmitao but not Igtuble?
How many respondents are there?
Based from the Venn Diagram, it follows that the portion shaded:

Relation
A relation is any set of ordered-pair numbers.

A relation (binary relation) on a nonempty set A is a nonempty

set R of ordered pairs (x,y) of elements x and y of A (Gilbert, 2015).

According to Aufmann, et al., (2018), if A and B are sets, a

relation R from A to B is a subset of A x B. This means that if an
ordered pair (x,y) in A x B, x is related to y by R and this can be written
as x R y, if, and only if, (x, y) is in R. The set A is called the domain of R
and the set B is called its co-domain. The symbol x ℛ y means that
(x,y)ℝ x ℛ y means that (x,y) ℝ.
Practically speaking, there are lots of relationships in the world.
For example, the relationship between two people can be by blood or
they were classmates before or they have the same birth month, etc.
In mathematics, relationship between objects can be classified in many
ways. Let us try to look at our examples.

Example 2.7: Let A = {1, 2} and B = {10, 11, 12, 13} and defined a
relation R from A to B as follows:
y
Given any (x,y) A x B, (x,y)R means that is
even. x
Solution:
A x B = {(1,10), (1,11), (1,12), (1,13), (2,10), (2,11), (2,12),

(2,13)} (1,10) R because 10, which is even.

(1,11) R because 11, which is not even.

(1,12) R because 12, which is even.

(1,13) R because 13, which is not even.

(2,10) R because  5, which is not even.

(2,11) R because  5.5, which is not even.

(2,12) R because  6, which is even

(2,13) R because  6.5, which is not even.

Therefore, R = {(1,10), (1,12), (2,10), (2,12)}.

Functions
A function (mapping) is a correspondence between the
elements of two sets. There must a rule of association between the
elements of the first set and those of the second set. For it to become
a function every element of the first set, there is one and only one
(unique) associated element in the second set. If f is a function, then
the notation f(x) = y means that f transform the object x into the object
y. For convention, the function could be written as f : x  y. The values
of x is called domain and the value of y is called range.

For example,
f (x) = y = x2 + 2x +1

if x =1  y = (1)2 + 2(1) +1
= 1+2+1
= 4
If x =2  y = (2)2 + 2(2) +1
= 4 + 4 + 1
=9
This means that if x = 1, y = 4 and if x = 2, y =9. The
correspondence between the values of x and y could be denoted as an
ordered pair (x, y). Therefore, x = 1, y = 4 can be written as (1, 4) and
x = 2, y = 9 can be written as (2, 9).
Let f : x  y. The function is said to be injective (one-to-one) if
and only if different elements of x always have the different elements
in y. It is surjective (onto) if and only if f(y) = x. Surjection undoes the
mapping from x to y. If the two conditions (injective and surjective)
hold, the function is said to be bijective.
 x f(x)
1 5
2 9

Figure 1. One-to-one.

x f(x)
1 1
9 4
3

Figure 2. One-to-one but not onto.

x f(x)
12 3
2
3 7

Figure 3. Not one-to-one and not onto function.

Binary Operation
The basic operations of mathematics- addition, subtraction,
division and multiplication are performed on two operands. Even when
we try to add three numbers, we add two of them and then add the
third number to the result of the two numbers. Thus, the basic
mathematical operations are performed on two numbers and are
known as binary operations (the word binary means two). In this
section, we will discuss binary operations performed on a set.
We take the set of numbers on which the binary operations are
performed as X. The operations (addition, subtraction, division,
multiplication, etc.) can be generalized as a binary operation is
performed on two elements (say a and b) from set X. The result of the
operation on a and b is another element from the same set X. Thus,
the binary operation can be defined as an operation * which is

performed on a set A. The function is given by *: A * A → A. So,

the
operation * performed on operands a and b is denoted by a * b.
 The binary operations associate any two elements of a set. The
resultant of the two are in the same set. Binary operations on a set are
calculations that combine two elements of the set (called operands) to
produce another element of the same set. The binary operations * on a
non-empty set A are functions from A × A to A. The binary operation, *:
A × A → A. It is an operation of two elements of the set whose domains
and co-domain are in the same set.
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponential is
some of the binary operations

Properties of Binary Operation

closure property, if a ∈ A, b ∈ A ⇒ a * b ∈ A.
Closure property: An operation * on a non-empty set A has

Additions are the binary operations on each of the sets of Natural

numbers (N), Integer (Z), Rational numbers (Q), Real Numbers(R),
Complex number(C).

The additions on the set of all irrational numbers are not the
binary operations.

Multiplication is a binary operation on each of the sets of Natural

numbers (N), Integer (Z), Rational numbers (Q), Real Numbers(R),
Complex number(C).

Multiplication on the set of all irrational numbers is not a binary operation.

Subtraction is a binary operation on each of the sets of

Integer (Z), Rational numbers (Q), Real Numbers(R), Complex
number(C).

Subtraction is not a binary operation on the set of Natural

numbers (N).

A division is not a binary operation on the set of Natural numbers

(N), integer (Z), Rational numbers (Q), Real Numbers(R), Complex
number(C).
Exponential operation (x, y) → xy is a binary operation on the set
of Natural numbers (N) and not on the set of Integers (Z).

Types of Binary Operations

Commutative
A binary operation * on a set A is commutative if a * b = b * a,
for all (a, b) A (non-empty set). Let addition be the operating binary
operation for a = 8 and b = 9, a + b = 17 = b + a.
Associative
 The associative property of binary operations hold if, for a non-
empty set A, we can write (a * b) *c = a*(b * c). Suppose N be the set
of natural numbers and multiplication be the binary operation. Let a =
4, b = 5 c = 6. We can write (a × b) × c = 120 = a × (b × c).
Distributive
Let * and o be two binary operations defined on a non-empty set
A. The binary operations are distributive if a*(b o c) = (a * b) o (a * c)
or (b o c)*a = (b * a) o (c * a). Consider * to be multiplication and o be
subtraction. And a = 2, b = 5, c = 4. Then, a*(b o c) = a × (b − c) = 2
× (5 − 4) = 2. And (a * b) o (a * c) = (a × b) − (a × c) = (2 × 5) − (2
× 4) = 10 − 8 = 2.
Identity
If A be the non-empty set and * be the binary operation on A. An
element e is the identity element of a A, if a * e = a = e * a. If the
binary operation is addition(+), e = 0 and for * is multiplication(×), e =
1.
Inverse
If a binary operation * on a set A which satisfies a * b = b * a =
e, for all a, b A. a-1 is invertible if for a * b = b * a= e, a-1 = b. 1 is
invertible when * is multiplication.
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on the set of
real numbers are examples of binary operation. It is also an example
of a function. For example, under addition, 2+2=4. In function
definition, this means element (2,2) is paired with 4. Applying
addtition on (1,5) gives 6, on (-1,0) it is -1. For each pair (a,b) ϵ R x R,
f[(a.b)] is equal to a+b.
Note: Each pair (a,b) ϵ R x R is assigned to exactly one element
c in R, where c=a+b.
A binary operation * on a set A is a function from A x A to A such
that for each a,b ϵ A, *(a,b)=c, where c ϵ A.
The expression * (a,b) is often written as a*b. Thus, in function
notation the binary operation of addition applied on (-5,7) can be
written as +(-5,7), but we are more comfortable writing it as -5+7
which is equal to 2.
Closure Property
A nonempty set A is closed under * if and only if for each a,b ϵ A,
a*b ϵ A. An operation on a set which meets this property is a binary
operation.
Example 2.8: Explain why operations on a set are binary or not
binary. Use the definition of binary operation to determine if the
following operation is a binary operation on the indicated set.
1. Addition on the set of rational numbers Q.
2. Division on the set of integers Z.
3. Addition on the set of negative integers Z.
4. Multiplication on Z.

Answer:
 1. Addition on the set of rational numbers is a binary operation
because for any rational number q and r, the sum q+r is also a rational
number.
2. Division on Z is not a binary operation. For example, 2,3 ϵ Z
but ⅔ ϵ Z: 2 and 3 are integers, but ⅔ is not.
3. Addition on Z- is a binary operation because for every two
negative integers q and r, their sum is also a negative integer.
4. Multiplication on Z- is not a binary operation. For example, -
1, -2 ϵ Z- but their product is not a negative integer.
Using/Applying Knowledge (Application/Integration)
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
Write each of the following given sets in a roster method.

1. Set of common bamboo products. A={fan, umbrella, shoes}

B. A={fan, basket, tray}
C. A={socks, face mask, slipper}
D. A={face shield, pail, pot}
2. Set of even numbers less than eight.
A={1,3,5,7}
B. A={2,4,6}
C. A={1,2,3,4,5,6,7}
D. A={1,4,7}

3. Set of counting numbers greater than five but less than ten.
A={5,7,9}
B. A={6,7,8,9}
C. A={6,8}
D. A={7, 9}
4. Set of even numbers between four and twelve.
A={4,6,8,10,12}
B. A={4,6,12}
C. A={6,8,10}
D. A={4,8,12}

5. Set of prime numbers less than eleven.

A={2,3,5,7}
B. A={1,2,3,5,7)
C. A={3,5,7,9}
D. A={2,3,5,7,9}

B. Write each of the following given sets in a set builder notation.

6. Set of natural numbers less than four.
A={x|x<4 and xN}
 B. A={x|x<4N}
C. A={x|1<x<4N}
D. A={x|x<4 and xN}
7. Set of odd numbers greater than three.
A={x|x<3 and xO}
B. A={x|x>3 and xO}
C. A={x|0<x<3 and xO}
D. A={x|0>x>3 and xO}
8. Set of prime numbers equal or less than five.

A={x|x≥5 and xP}

B. A={x|x<5 and xP}
C. A={x|-5≤x≤5 and xP}
D. A={x|x≤5 and xP}
9. Set of integers greater than negative five but less than eight.
A={x|x>-5<8 and xℤ }

B. A={x|-5<x<8 and x ℤ }
C. A={x|-5<x>8 and xℤ }
D. A={x|-5>x>8 and x ℤ }
10. Set of whole numbers greater than ten.
A={x|x>10 and xW}
B. A={x|x<10 and xW}
C. A={x|1<x<10W}
D. A={x|0>x>10 and xW}
11. If set A and set B have common elements, then they are said
to be
_______________.

a. disjoint sets
b. joint sets
c. complementary sets
d. infinite sets
12. Set B is a set of whole numbers less than 6 can be written in
roster form as
_________________.
a. B = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
b. B = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,}
c. B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}d.
d. B = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

13. The set builder notation of the statement that reads “the set
of x such that x is an element of Integers and x is greater than 10”
is __________________.
a. {x | x ∈ ℤ and x > 10}
 b. {x | x ∈ ℤ and x = 10}
c. {x | x ∈ ℤ and x < 10}
d. {x | x ∈ ℤ and x ≥ 10}
14. Which of the following statement supports the idea of set
union and set intersection of sets A and B?
a. Set union is the set of all elements in both set A and set B
while set
intersection is the set of common elements of set A and Set B.
b. Set union is the set of common elements in both set A and set
B while
set intersection is the set of all elements of set A and Set B.
c. Set union is the set of all elements in A but not in B while set
intersection is the set of all elements in set A and Set B.
d. Set union is the set of all elements in A but not in B while set
intersection is the set of elements in B but not in A.

15. Given set M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7} and set N = {1, 3, 5, 7}

then M – N is equal to _________.
a. {2, 4, 5}
b. {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
c. {2, 4, 6}
d. {2, 4}
16. If set A = {0, 1, 3, 5} and the universal set U = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7,8}, then A’ = ______________.
a. {0, 1, 3, 5}
b. {2, 4, 6, 7,8}
c. {2, 4, 6,}
d. {2, 4, 6, 7}
17. 4 ∈ { 2, 3, 4, 7}, this statement is_____.
a. always true
b. sometimes false
c. false
d. sometimes true
18. The set {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} can be written in set builder
notation as____
a. { x | x N and x < 9}
b. { x | x R and x < 10}
c. { x | x N and x < 10}
d. { x | x R and x >10}
19. Which of the following is an example of null set?
a. {ϕ }
b. { }
c. { 0 }
 d. ( 0 )
20. Designate the set S with elements 32, 33, 34, 35, … using
the descriptive method.
a. Set S is the set of counting numbers greater than 31.
b. Set S is the set of natural numbers less than 31.
c. Set S is the set of counting numbers greater than 31 but less
than 35.
d. Set S is the set of natural numbers greater than 35.

A 20.
B 19.
C 18.
A 17.
B 16.
C 15.
A 14.
A 13.
A 12.
B 11.
A 10.
B 9.
D 8.
B 7.
D 6.
A 5.
C 4.
B 3.
B 2.
B 1.

Application/Integration
) pplying
( Knowledge sing/ Answer
A U: Key