Module # 2 - MMW
Module # 2 - MMW
Module # 2 - MMW
Mathematical Language
and Symbols
Overview
This module covers the lessons identified as the most essential under Chapter 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols. Here, you will learn about set operations, propositions,
logical connectives, predicate, and quantifiers. Exercises are also provided to help you practice
and master the knowledge and skills necessary for your attainment of the learning outcomes.
How much you have learned from the said lessons will be determined in the last part of this
module. Have fun learning!
Learning Outcomes
After completing the study of this module, you should be able to:
Illustrate the language, symbols, and conventions of Mathematics through examples;
Explain the nature of mathematics as a language;
Justify that mathematics is a useful language through citing concrete examples of its
applications;
Perform the operations on sets using proper notation;
Draw and interpret Venn diagrams of set operations, and use Venn diagrams to solve
problems on sets;
Determine the truth values of propositions at any context; and
Construct tables to determine the truth values of propositions;
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The Nature of Mathematics
A. Set Operations
Set theory is about identifying relationships between things that are grouped together for
some reason. The word set was first formally used in 1879 by Georg Cantor, a German
mathematician, to refer to a well-defined collection of objects. Each object in a set is called an
element or a member of the set. For instance, if C is the set of all regions in the Philippines, then
Region IV B MIMAROPA is an element of C.
Sets often have relationships with other sets. For example, you are a member of both the
set of college students and the set of students taking college math course. You could be in the
set of freshmen or in the set of sophomores, but not in both. You might be in the set of students
living off campus and the set of students who walk to class. Maybe you’re in the set of students
who eat lunch in the canteen and the set of students who think that egg sandwiches are too
bland, but not in the set of people who put ketchup in their food. In such cases, a system for
displaying and organizing all of these complicated connections between sets will come in
handy through studying set theory.
1. Union of Sets
If A and B are any two sets, the union of A and B, denoted by A ∪ B, is the set
containing of all the elements that are found in A or in B or in both A and B. In symbols,
A ∪ B = {x ǀ x ∈ A or x ∈ B }.
Examples:
Note: Elements common to both sets are listed only once in the union.
The inclusive “or” in the definition means that if x ∈ A ∪ B, then at least one of these
conditions must be true: x can be found in A; or x can be found in B; or x can be found in A and
in B.
A B A B
A B
B A
B is contained in A. A is contained in B.
Try this!
Three experimental medications are being evaluated for safety. Each has a list
of side effects that has been reported by at least 1% of the people trying the
medication. This is a blind trial, so the medications are simply labeled A, B, and C. The
side effects for each are listed below.
1. A ∪ B
2. A ∪ C
3. A ∪ B ∪ C
2. Intersection of Sets
The intersection of two sets A and B, denoted by A ∩ B, is the set of all elements
common to both A and B. In symbols,
A ∩ B = {x ǀ x ∈ A and x ∈ B }.
Examples:
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The Nature of Mathematics
A B
A B
A B
B A
B is contained in A. A is contained in B.
Try this!
1. A ∩ B
2. B ∩ C
3. A ∩ B ∩ C
3. Set Complement
The complement of a set is the set whose elements are found in the universal set but
are not found in the given set. The universal set (U) is the set which contains the elements of
all sets being considered. If A is the given set, then its complement A’ would have elements
in U that are not in A. In symbols,
A’ = {x ǀ x ∈ U and x ∉ A } or A’ = {x ǀ x ∈ (U - A)}.
Examples:
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The Nature of Mathematics
UU
A
Try this!
Going back to our sets of side effects from , recall that these were reported
by at least 1% of users. The universal set below is the set of all side effects reported by
ANY users. Use this to find the following sets.
U = {nausea, night sweats, nervousness, dry mouth, swollen feet, weight gain,
blurry vision, fever, trouble sleeping, weight loss, eczema, motor mouth,
darting eyes, uncontrollable falling down}
1. A’ ∩ C’ 2. (A ∩ B)’ ∩ C 3. B’ ∪ (A ∩ C’)
4. Set Difference
The difference of set A from set B, denoted by B – A, is the set of all elements of set B
that are not in set A. The difference of set B from set A, denoted by A – B, is the set of all
elements of set A that are not in set B.
Examples:
B-A A-B
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The Nature of Mathematics
Try this!
Once more, using the sets from , find each set below:
1. A – B
2. B – C
3. (A – B) – C
Solution:
n(B ∪ F ∪ V)’ = 12
n(B – (F ∪ V)) = 24
n(F – V) = 18
There is another set operation considered in this section. Forming this new set involves a
much different process than forming the union, intersection, or complement of sets.
Given elements a and b, the symbol (a, b) denotes the ordered pair consisting of a and
b together with the specification that a is the first element of the pair and b is the second
element. Given sets A and B, the Cartesian product of A and B, denoted A x B and read “A cross
B”, is the set of all ordered pairs (a, b), where a is in A and b is in B. Symbolically:
Examples:
a. Find A x B.
A x B = {(1, u), (2, u), (3, u), (1, v), (2, v), (3, v)}
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The Nature of Mathematics
b. Find B x A.
B x A = {(u, 1), (u, 2), (u, 3), (v, 1), (v, 2), (v, 3)}
c. Find B x B.
A x B has six elements. Note that this is the number of elements in A times the
number of elements in B. B x A has six elements, the number of elements in B times the
number of elements in A. B x B has four elements in B times the number of elements in
B.
Let U = the set of real numbers. The coordinates axes are formed by two intersecting
perpendicular lines in order to graph U x U.
Try this!
1. Find Y x Z.
2. Find Z x Y.
3. Y x Y.
4. How many elements are Y x Z, Z x Y, and Y x Y?
Learning Check
Activity # 1
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The Nature of Mathematics
4. D – C’
5. (A ∪ D’)’
B. Workers are grouped into various categories. Set E is the set of workers under 20
years old, Set F is the set of foreign workers, and Set M is the set of male workers.
Describe the following sets in words:
a. E ‘ b. F ∩ M c. E ∪ M d. E ∩ F ∪ M
D. Let S = {2, 4, 6} and T = {1, 3, 5}. Use the roster notation to write each of the
following sets, and indicate the number of elements that are in each set:
a. S x T b. T x S c. S x S d. T x T
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The Nature of Mathematics
B. Propositions
Examples:
1. The main campus of Palawan State University is in Puerto Princesa City.
2. Quezon City is the capital of the Philippines.
3. Benguet is a part of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
4. 1 + 1 = 2.
5. 2 + 2 = 3.
Every even integer greater than 4 is a sum of two odd primes. (Goldbach’s conjecture)
So far, no one has been able to prove that Goldbach’s conjecture is true. At the same
time, no one has proved that it is false. Nevertheless, it is a proposition because it is either true
or false, but not both.
Try this!
Which of the following are propositions? Give the truth value of the
propositions.
1. Check your solution.
2. A square is quadrilateral.
3. August is the 9th month of the year.
4. Have a nice day!
5. 5x + 1 = 2.
A simple proposition conveys a single idea (like the examples above) while a compound
proposition conveys more than one idea. Compound propositions are formed from existing
propositions using logical operators or connectives. A logical connective is a word or symbol
that joins two sentences or propositions to produce a new one.
The table below shows the different logical connectives and the corresponding key
words and symbol used.
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The Nature of Mathematics
Learning Check
Activity # 2
Identify the propositions among the given statements. Write P if the statement is a
proposition, and Not P if not. Give the truth value of the propositions.
C. The Conjunction
Definition: If two propositions are joined together by the connective and, the resulting
compound proposition is called a conjunction. The propositions composing conjunction
are called conjuncts.
Note: Variables are used to represent prepositions. The most common variables used are
p, q, and r.
The truth value of the conjunction of two propositions, say p and q, is defined in the table
below:
p q pΛq
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F F
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The Nature of Mathematics
Based on the table, we remember that a conjunction is true only when both of its
conjuncts are true. Otherwise, the conjunction is false.
but however
still nevertheless
yet moreover
while furthermore
whereas although
despite
Try this!
Write in symbolic form the following conjunctions, then determine their truth value
assuming that a, b, and c, are true, false, and true respectively
Learning Check
Activity # 3
Determine the truth values of the following statements. Write True or False.
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The Nature of Mathematics
D. The Disjunction
We use the symbol “v” to stand for “or “, hence the disjunction just defined is written as
“p v q “.
The truth value of the disjunction of two propositions p and q is defined in the table below:
p q p∨q
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
The table indicates that a disjunction is true when at least one of the disjuncts is true and
becomes false when both disjuncts are false.
else
either … or
unless
Try this!
Suppose m is true, n is false, and o is true, determine the truth value of each of
the following disjunctions.
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The Nature of Mathematics
Learning Check
Activity # 4
Determine the truth values of the following statements. Write True or False.
E. The Conditional
Definition: If two propositions are connected by the pair “if … then” the resulting proposition is
called an implication or conditional proposition. The statement following the word “if”
and before “then” is called the antecedent or hypothesis while the statement after the
word “then” is called the consequent or conclusion.
The symbol used to denote the connective “if … then” is →. Thus, if p is the antecedent
and q the conclusion of an implication, the proposition is written a “p → q” and is read, “if p,
then q “.
Other expressions that have the same meaning as “if p, then q” are the following:
q if p
q provided p
q given p
q in case p
p only if q
p only when q
Example:
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The Nature of Mathematics
Solutions:
1. Let m: Two numbers are even.
n: The product of two numbers are even.
2. Suppose t: x + 1 is odd
s: x is even
p q p→q
T T T
T F F
F T T
F F T
Note: The table tells us that an implication is false only when the antecedent is true and
the consequent false. Otherwise, the implication is always true.
Try this!
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The Nature of Mathematics
Learning Check
Activity # 5
1. Suppose a conditional proposition is true and its antecedent also true, what is
the truth value of its consequent?
2. If an implication is true and its consequent is false, what is the truth value of its
antecedent?
3. Let the propositions r and s be true and false, respectively.
r: Prices are high
s: Wages are high
Determine the truth value of the following conditionals.
a. Prices are high in case wages are high.
b. Prices are high only if wages are high.
c. Wages are high; hence inflation rate is high.
F. The Biconditional
Definition: When two propositions, say p and q, are connected by the phrase “if and only if”,
the resulting compound proposition is called a biconditional or double implication. The
symbol used for “if and only if” is “↔”, hence, the biconditional “p if and only if q” is written
as “p ↔ q”.
Other words that could replace “if and only if” are:
p q p↔q
T T T
T F F
F T F
F F T
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The Nature of Mathematics
Note: Observe from the table that a biconditional is true provided the proposition written
on both sides of the symbol ↔ are both true or both false.
Try this!
Write in symbols the biconditional “6x = 2 if and only if x = 1/3”, then determine
its truth value assuming that the proposition “6x = 2” is true while “x = 1/3” is false.
Learning Check
Activity # 6
G. The Negation
When an original idea is denied, the resulting proposition is called its negation. We used
the symbol “~” or “¬” to mean “not”.
Example:
Note that negations, like ~f, do not consist of two propositions. Nonetheless, they are
considered here as compound proposition.
p ̴p
T F
F T
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Try this!
(p → q) ↔ ( ̴ q → ̴ p )
Learning Check
Activity # 7
Construct the truth value table for each of the following statements:
1. (p Λ q) V ̴ r
2. ̴ (p v q) → ( ̴ p Λ ̴ q)
H. Predicate Logic
p: 2 is an even integer
q: 6 is an even integer
r: 0 is an even integer
Observe that the three statements have similar patterns. In English usage, the pattern is
noun-verb-adjective. Note that the verb and adjective in all statements are the same. The part
which changes is the noun. In mathematics, that component of a statement which changes is
called a variable and we use small letters, like x, to represent such a component. Thus, we
obtain:
s: x is an even integer.
Note: The truth value of a predicate cannot be evaluated unless the variable, x in the
above example, assumes a particular value. Thus, a predicate is not a proposition. But when x
is replaced by the number 2, 6, or 0, we obtain a statement p and q is a true proposition. Similarly,
q and r are true propositions.
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The Nature of Mathematics
1. Algebra:
x2 + 1 = 5
x+2>0
x x-1
+ =4
2 3
2. Trigonometry:
Sin x = ½
Sin2 x – Sin x = 0
2 Cos x = 1
Try this!
Let P(x) denote the statement “x ≥ 10”. What are the truth values of the
following?
1. P(9)
2. P(12)
3. P(-10)
4. P(10)
5. P(0)
Learning Check
Activity # 8
1. Let Q(x) denote the statement “x is an integer”. What are the truth values of
the following?
a. Q(-1)
b. Q(0)
8
c. Q( )
2
d. Q(√-4)
e. Q(√4)
2. Let P(x, y) denote the statement “xy ≤ 15.” Determine the truth values of the
following:
a. P(5, 3)
b. P(-3, 5)
c. P(-3, -5)
d. P(-3, -6)
e. P(2, 7)
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The Nature of Mathematics
I. Quantifiers
Given a predicate, we have to know where to get the values of the variable in it. This
collection of possible values of the variable is called the domain.
Example:
If the variable in the predicate x + 2 > 0 is allowed to assume any value from the collection
of integers, then we say that the set of integers is the domain of the given predicate.
The word “all” in (1) can be symbolized by “Ɐ” and if the noun “numbers” is replaced
by variable s, we can rewrite (1) as
Ɐx : x is an integer (2)
Remember that the phrase “x is an integer” is the predicate and if this predicate is
symbolized as I(x), then (2) becomes
Ɐx : I(x) (3)
This is read as “For all x, x is an integer” and this is still synonymous to statement (1).
For the 2nd statement the word “some” can be represented by the symbol “ⱻ”. Following
the pattern in statement (1), statement (2) can finally be written as,
ⱻx : I(x) (4)
Ɐx : P(x)
where P(x) stands for any predicate, the proposition is true iff P(x) is true for every value of x
taken from the domain. Otherwise, the proposition is false.
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ⱻx : P(x)
is true iff there is at least one value of x from the domain that will make P(x) true. But if P(x) is false
for all possible values of x, then the proposition is false.
Try this!
Evaluate the truth value of each quantified proposition, assuming the set {0, 2,
- 2} as the domain.
1. Ɐx : x(x2 – 4) = 0
2. ⱻx : x + 1 > 0
3. ⱻx : x(x2 – 4) = 0
Learning Check
Activity # 9
2. Evaluate the truth value of the following propositions, using the set {1, 3, 5, 7}
as the domain.
a. Ɐx : x2 is odd
b. ⱻx : (x + 1)2 > x2 + 1
c. ⱻx : 2(x – 1) is even
2x+1
d. Ɐx : belongs to the domain
3
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The Nature of Mathematics
EVALUATION
Let us now determine how much you understand from this module!
1. Let the universal set U = {x ǀ x ∈ natural numbers, 0 ≤ x ≤ 9}, A = {2, 4, 7, 9}, B = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}, C =
{2, 3, 4, 5}, D = {1, 6, 7}. Find the ff:
a. A’ ∪ C
b. (B ∩ C’) ∪ A
c. (U ∩ B’)’
d. A ∩ C ∩ D’
2. Among 500 graduating students, 210 of them smoke, 258 drink alcoholic beverages, 216 eat
between meals, 122 smoke and drink alcoholic beverages, 83 eat between meals and drink
alcoholic beverages, 97 smoke and eat between meals, and 52 engage in these bad health
practices. How many
3. Let A = {w, x, y, z} and B = {a, b}. Use the roster notation to write each of the following sets,
and indicate the number of elements that are in each set:
a. A x B
b. B x A
c. A x A
d. B x B
4. In a Music club with 15 members, 7 people played piano, 6 people played guitar, and 4
people did not play either of these instruments.
a. How many people played both piano and guitar?
b. How many people played piano only?
c. How many people played guitar only?
d. How many people did play piano or guitar?
5. Write each symbolic statement as an English sentence. Use p, q, r, s, and t as defined below.
p: Taylor Swift is a singer.
q: Taylor Swift is not a songwriter.
r: Taylor Swift is an actress.
s: Taylor Swift plays the piano.
t: Taylor Swift does not play the guitar.
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The Nature of Mathematics
a. (p ∨ r) ∧ q
b. p → (q ∧ ̴ r)
c. t ↔ ( ̴ r ∧ ̴ p)
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The Nature of Mathematics
1. If you have cold, then you should eat some chicken soup.
2. Time will go backwards if and only if you travel faster than the speed of light.
3. Louis Armstrong did not play the drums.
4. Bobby joined the Army, and he got married.
5. It is false that Mr. Cruz is a high school teacher and a grade school teacher.
6. The typhoon did million worth of damage to the province.
7. A judge announces to a convicted offender, “I hereby sentence you to five months of
community services or a fine of Php10,000”.
Answer Key
A. Set Operations
Try this!
1. A ∪ B = {nausea, night sweats, nervousness, dry mouth, swollen feet, weight gain, blurry
vision, fever, trouble sleeping}
2. A ∪ C = {nausea, night sweats, nervousness, dry mouth, swollen feet, blurry vision, weight
loss, eczema}
3. A ∪ B ∪ C = {nausea, night sweats, nervousness, dry mouth, swollen feet, weight gain,
blurry vision, fever, trouble sleeping, weight loss, eczema}
Try this!
1. A ∩ B = {nausea, nervousness}
2. B ∩ C = {nausea, blurry vision}
3. A ∩ B ∩ C = {nausea}
Try this!
1. A’ ∩ C’ = {weight gain, trouble sleeping, motor mouth, darting eyes, uncontrollable
falling down}
2. (A ∩ B)’ ∩ C = {dry mouth, blurry vision, fever, weight loss, eczema}
3. B’ ∪ (A ∩ C’) = {night sweats, dry mouth, swollen feet, weight loss, eczema, motor mouth,
darting eyes, uncontrollable falling down, nervousness}
Try this!
1. A – B = {night sweats, dry mouth, swollen feet}
2. B – C = {weight gain, nervousness, fever, trouble sleeping}
3. (A – B) – C = {night sweats, swollen feet}
Try this!
1. Y x Z = {(a, 1), (a, 2), (b, 1), (b, 2), (c, 1), (c, 2)}
2. Z x Y = {(1, a), (1, b), (1, c), (2, a), (2, b), (2, c)}
3. Y x Y = {(a, a), (a, b), (a, c), (b, a), (b, b), (b, c), (c, a), (c, b), (c, c)}
4. Y x Z has 6 elements, Z x Y has 6 elements, and Y x Y has 9 elements.
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The Nature of Mathematics
B. Propositions
Try this!
1. not a proposition
2. proposition, true
3. proposition, false
4. not a proposition
5. not a proposition
C. The Conjunction
Try this!
1. a ∧ b, false
2. c ∧ b, false
3. a ∧ c, true
D. The Disjunction
Try this!
1. true
2. true
E. The Conditional
Try this!
1. true
2. true
F. The Biconditional
Try this!
Let p: 6x = 2 and q: x = 1/3.
p ↔ q is false.
G. The Negation
p q ̴p ̴q p→q ̴q→̴p (p → q) ↔ ( ̴ q → ̴ p)
T T F F T T T
T F F T F F T
F T T F T T T
F F T T T T T
H. Predicate Logic
Try this!
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The Nature of Mathematics
1. false
2. true
3. false
4. true
5. false
I. Quantifiers
Try this!
1. true
2. true
3. true
Try this!
Evaluate the truth value of each quantified proposition, assuming the set {0, 2,
- 2} as the domain.
4. Ɐx : x(x2 – 4) = 0
5. ⱻx : x + 1 > 0
6. ⱻx : x(x2 – 4) = 0
References
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