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Nature of
Mathematics
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Definition of Mathematics
❖ “The study of measurement, properties, and relationships of
quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols”-American
Heritage Dictionary
❖ “The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as
abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other
disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied
mathematics)”- Oxford Dictionary
❖ “Mathematics is a science, like physics or astronomy; it constitutes
a body of established facts, achieved by a reliable method, verified
by practice, and agreed on by a consensus of qualified experts.”-
Reuben Hersh
Branch of
Mathematics
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z Pure Mathematics
Mathematics that studies entirely abstract concepts
Arithmetic - refers to the simpler properties when using the
traditional operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
Geometry - mathematics concerned with questions of size, shape, relative
position of figures, and the properties of space.
Trigonometry - deals with relationships between
the sides and the angles of triangles.
Algebra - study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and
concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic
structure.
Calculus - focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals,
and infinite series.
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Applied Mathematics
Application of mathematics from the theoretical part to the real world
practical part and its real-life applications
Mathematical finance -concerned with mathematical modeling of
financial markets
Statistics –deals with the collection, organization, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of data
Physical Sciences – the use of mathematics in the
field of astronomy, chemistry, physics and geology
Engineering -creative application of mathematics for empirical evidence to
the innovation, design, construction, operation and maintenance of
structures, machines, materials and devices
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Language of
Mathematics
z Language of Mathematics
▪ Mathematics has its own language. For example, the digits 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, are part of our
everyday lives. Whether we refer to 0 as ‘zero’, ‘nothing’, or ‘O’ as in a telephone number, we
understand its meaning.
▪ There are many symbols in mathematics and most are used as a precise shorthand form.
▪ context - this is the context in which we are working, or the particular topics being
studied
▪ convention - where mathematicians and scientists have decided that particular symbols
will have particular meaning.
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Some common mathematical symbols
• The symbol + is associated with ‘plus’ , ‘add’, ‘increase’ and
‘positive’. As it stands ‘+’ clearly it has some sort of meaning that
must really understand.
• The symbol – is associated with ‘minus’, ‘subtract’, ‘take away’,
‘negative’, and ‘decrease’. One must understand the context to
which it is being used..
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The symbol × is associated with ‘multiply’, ‘ lots of’ and ‘times’ which is just a
shorthand for adding. For example, 6+6+6+6 can be written in simpler form as 4 ×
6.
Suppose we have, a + a + a + a + a. we might write this in expression as 5 x a.
however in hand written we might confuse x as letter x , so we would often write
simply 5a
The division symbols symbolized in several different ways. For example,
10
10÷5, , 10/5 are three equivalent ways of writing ten divided by 5.
5
The equal sign and its variants , the = sign does not mean anything on its
own- we need context. For example, in the sum 1 + 2 =3, what we are saying is that
whatever we have on the left-hand side is exactly equal to whatever we have on the
right-hand side.
Variant Meaning Variant Meaning
≠ Is not equal to ≥ Is greater than or equal
to
≈ Is approximately ≤ Is less than or equal to
equal to
zThe language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds
of thoughts that mathematicians like to express.
▪ precise (able to make very fine distinctions);
▪ concise (able to say things briefly);
▪ powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative ease).
Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its rules for
combining these words into complete thoughts (the sentences).
`nouns' of mathematics (used to name mathematical objects of interest) and the
`sentences' of mathematics (which state complete mathematical thoughts).
z ▪ In English, nouns are used to name things we want to talk about (like
people, places, and things); whereas sentences are used to state
complete thoughts.
▪ A typical English sentence has at least one noun, and at least one verb.
For example, consider the sentence
▪ Carol loves mathematics.
▪ Here, `Carol' and `mathematics' are nouns; `loves' is a verb.
The mathematical version 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'.
z The mathematical version of a `sentence' will also be called a sentence. A
mathematical sentence, just as an English sentence, must state a complete
thought. The table below summarizes the analogy.
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An expression is a number or a combination of numbers and
operation symbols.
- mathematical analogue of an English noun; it is a correct arrangement
of mathematical symbols used to represent a mathematical object of
interest.
For example, the expressions:
5 2 + 5 10 ÷ 2 (6 – 2) + 1 1+1+1+1+1
Keywords in Operations
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Algebraic expression
-an expression that contains one or more variables.
Variables
– an alphabet or term that represents an unknown number
or unknown value or unknown quantity.
Example: a𝑥 2 + bx + c
x is a variable
a and b are coefficients
c is a constant
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Algebraic expression example.
Symbol Phrase
y+6 the sum of y and 6
x-3 the difference of x and 3
5m
the product of 5 and m
h÷3
the quotient of h and 3
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A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it
is a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols that states a
complete thought.
The sentence ` 1 + 2 = 3 ' is read as `one plus two equals three' or `one
plus two is equal to three'. A complete thought is being stated, which in
this case is true.
The sentence is `diagrammed' below:
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An equation is made up of two expressions connected by
an equal sign (=).
Symbol Sentence
8 + 6 = 14 The sum of 8 and 6 is 14.
7–3=4 The difference of 7 and 3 is 4.
5 x 2 = 10
The product of 5 and 2 is 10.
9÷3=3
The quotient of 9 and 3 is 3.
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An algebraic equation
a combination of algebraic expressions connected by an
equal sign (=).
Symbol Sentence
y + 6 = 16 The sum of y and 6 is 16.
x – 3 = 11 The difference of x and 3 is 11.
5m = 20
The product of 5 and m is 20.
h÷3=4
The quotient of h and 3 is 4.
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Greek Alphabet
