ISU MODULE

Subject: GEC 3- Mathematics in the Modern World

1. Title of the Module

Chapter 2- Mathematical Language and Symbols

2. Introduction

Mathematics in the modern world deals with the nature of mathematics appreciation of its practical,

intellectual, and aesthetic dimensions and applications of mathematical tools in daily life. This module discusses the

mathematical language and symbols, characteristics of mathematical language, conventions in mathematical language, four

basic concepts, elementary logic and formality. By exploring topics in this subject students may go beyond the typical

understanding of mathematics like any language, mathematics has its own symbols, syntax, and rules.

3. Learning Outcome

After completing this module, the students must be able to:

1. Discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics.

2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language.
3. Perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly.
4. Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful language.

4. Learning Content

Topic 1- Mathematical language and symbols

Mathematical Language and Symbols

 Facilitates communication and clarifies meaning

 Allow people to express themselves and maintain their identity

Topic 2- Characteristics of the language of Mathematics

Characteristics of the language of Mathematics

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of thoughts that mathematicians like to
express. It is:
 Precise – able to make very fine distinctions
 Concise – able to say things briefly
 Powerful – able to express complex thoughts with relative ease.

English: Nouns vs. Sentences

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 thought.

A typical English sentences has at least one noun, and at least one verb. For example, consider the sentence:
Anne hates mathematics

Annie, Mathematics = nouns

Hates = verb

Mathematics: Expressions vs. sentences

 The mathematical analogue 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”.
 The mathematical analogue of a “sentence” will also be called a sentence
 A Mathematical sentence, just as an English sentence, must state a complete thought.

ENGLISH MATHEMATICS
 Name given to an Noun Expression
object of interest (person, place, things) Ex: 5, 2 + 3, 1/2
Ex: Carol, Philippines, Book
A complete thought Sentence Sentence:
Ex: Ex:
The capital of the Philippines is 3+4=7
Manila. 3+4=8
The capital of the Philippines is
Quezon City.

Numbers have lots of different names

For example, the expressions
 5
 2+3
 10 ÷ 2
 (6 – 2) + 1
 1+1+1+1+1

All look different, but are all just different names for the same number.

MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS
Symbol Name Meaning/Definition Example
= Equal sign Equality 5=2+3
 Not equal sign Inequality 54
 Approximately equal Approximation XY
> Strict inequality Greater than 5>4
< Strict inequality Less than 4<5
≥ Inequality Greater than or equal to 5≥4
≤ Inequality Less than or equal to 4≤5

Symbol Meaning
Uppercase Designates set name
Lowercase Designates set elements
{ } Enclose elements in set
 or  Is (or is not) an element of
 Is a subset of
 Is a proper subset of
 is not a subset of
 Is a superset of
| or : Such that
| | The cardinality of a set

The Language of Mathematics

The Language of Mathematics

The Language of Mathematics was designed so we can write about:

Things like Numbers, Sets, Functions, etc
What we Do with those things (add, subtract, multiply, divide, join together, etc)

Symbols

Mathematics uses symbols instead of words:

 There are the 10 digits: 0,1,2,...9

 There are symbols for operations: + - x /
 And symbols that "stand in" for values: x, y,
 And many special symbols: π = < ≤,

Topic 3- Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Letter Conventions

Often (but not always) letters have special uses:

 Examples What they usually mean

Start of the
a, b, c, ... constants (fixed values)
alphabet:

positive integers (for

From i to n: i, j, k, l, m, n
counting)

End of the alphabet: ... x, y, z variables (unknowns)

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.

Nouns, Verbs, Sentences

Even though we don't use the words "noun", "verb", or "pronoun" in Mathematics, you can imagine
these similarities to English:

Nouns could be fixed things, such as numbers, or expressions with numbers:

15 2(3-1/2) 42
The Verb could be the equals sign "=", or an inequality like < or >

Pronouns (things like it, he, you, etc) could be variables like x or y:
5x-7 xy2 -3/x
And they could be put together into a Sentence like this:

3x + 7 = 22
(And we actually do use the word sentence in mathematics!)

Translate Phrases to Mathematical Expressions

Many words and phrases suggest mathematical operations. The following common words and phrases indicate
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Verbal phrases can be translated into variable expressions. Some examples are below.
Whenever possible, select a single variable to represent an unknown quantity. Then express related quantities
in terms of the first variable selected.

Examples
For each relationship, select a variable to represent one quantity and state what that variable represents. Then
express the second quantity in terms of the variable selected.

a) The Kings scored 7 more points than the Rangers.

Let r = number of points scored by the Rangers
Let r + 7 = number of points scored by the Kings

b) Bob and Marc share $65.

Let a = how much Bob receives.
Let 65 - a = amount Marc receives.

EXERCISES:

Translate the following:

1. Twelve more than a number.

2. Twelve more than a number is twenty.
3. X – 2 = 10
4. 2X – 7 = 25

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

Essay

In an essay form,

1. Discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics.

2. Explain the nature of mathematics as a language.
3. Perform operations on mathematical expressions correctly.
4. Acknowledge that mathematics is a useful language.

6. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.

All related Mathematics in the Modern World books are recommended for reading.

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Online (synchronous)

TelEducation, Moodle, Facebook messenger, Zoom, Google Classroom, etc..

Remote (asynchronous)

module

8. Assessment Task
 Recitation

Quizzes

9. References (at least 3 references preferably copyrighted within the last 5 years, alphabetically arranged)

Book/s: Aufman Richard, et. al., Mathematics in the Modern World, 14th Edition

Mathematics in the Modern World, Philippine Edition by REX Book Store

5. Twelve more than a number. 12 + X

6. Twelve more than a number is twenty. 12 + X = 20
7. X – 2 = 10 When two is subtracted from some number, the
result is ten.
8. 2X – 7 = 25 Twice a number is decreased by seven resulting to
25