Republic of the Philippines

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Nabua, Camarines Sur

Mathematical Language and

Symbols

Prepared by:
JUVY E. FORDAN
Instructor 1
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, 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, its basic concepts
and logic; and
4. develop the correct use of
the language of mathematics.
Language - is important to understand and
express one’s ideas, feelings or opinion;
- it serves as the transmitter of information
of knowledge
- it is a systematic way of communicating
with other by the use of sounds or
conventional symbols.
 Importance of Language
- The Language of Mathematics is the
system used by mathematician to
communicate mathematical ideas among
themselves.
-It was designed so we can write about
things (numbers, sets, functions, etc.) and
can do something (add, subtract, multiply,
divide, etc.) on those things
Mathematics as a language has
symbols to express formula or to
represent a constant. It has a
syntax to make expression well-
formed to make the characters
and symbols clear and valid that
do not violate the rules.
Mathematical symbols can designate
numbers(constant); variables,
operations, functions, brackets,
punctuation, and grouping to help
determine order of operations, and
other aspects of logical syntax.
A mathematical concept is independent of the
symbol chosen to represent it.
In short, convention dictates the meaning.
Example of Mathematical convention:
Examples What they usually
mean
Start of alphabet a, b, c Constant(fixed
values)
From i to n 1, j, k, l, m, n positive integers(for
counting)
end of the alphabet x, y, z variables(unknown)
3 characteristics of the language of Mathematics

a. Precise (able to make very fine

distinctions)
Example. The use of mathematical
symbol is only done based on its meaning
and purpose. Like + means add, - means
subtract × multiply and ÷ means divide.
b.Concise(able to say things briefly)
Example.The long English sentence
can be shortened using mathematical
symbols. Eight plus two equals ten which
means
8 + 2 = 10.
c. Powerful (able to express complex
thoughts with relative ease)
Example. The application of critical
thinking and problem solving skill
requires the comprehension, analysis
and reasoning to obtain the correct
solution.
Writing Mathematical Language as
an Expression or a Sentence
In mathematics, an expression or
mathematical expression is a finite
combination of symbols that is well-
formed according to rules that depend
on the context.
It is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols used to represent
a mathematical object of interest. An
expression does not state a complete
thought; it does not make sense to ask if
an expression is true or false.
The most common expression types
are numbers, sets, and functions.
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. This simple idea-that
numbers have lots of different
names is extremely important in
mathematics.
 Mathematical Phrase Mathematical Expression

Six times the sum of x and 4 6( x + 4 )

The difference of 6 and k divided by 12 ( 6 – k ) ÷ 12

7 added to the product of 11 and m 11m + 7

The product of 11 and x 11x

The basic syntax for entering mathematical
formulas or expressions in the system
enables you to quickly enter expressions
using 2-D notations. The most common
mistake is to forget parentheses “( )”. For
example, the expression: 1/(x+1) is different
from 1/x+1 which the system interprets as
(1/x)+1.
On the other hand, a mathematical
sentence is the analogue of an English
sentence; it is correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols that states a
complete thought.
Sentences have verbs. In the mathematical
sentence “3 + 4 = 7”, the verb is “=”.
A sentence can be (always) true,
(always) false, or sometimes true/
sometimes false. For example, the
sentence “1 + 2 = 3” is true.
The sentence “1 + 2 = 4” is false.
The sentence “x = 2” is sometimes
true/ sometimes false: it is true
when x is 2, and false otherwise.
The sentence “x + 3 = 3 + x” is
(always) true , no matter what the
number is chosen for x.
Mathematical Convention
A Mathematical Convention is a fact, name,
notation, or usage which is generally agreed
upon by mathematicians. For instance, the
fact that one evaluates multiplication before
addition in the expression (2+3) x 4 is
merely convention.
Symbol Meaning Example

+ Add 3 + 7 =10

- Subtract 5–2=3

× Multiply 4 × 3 = 12

÷ Divide 20 ÷ 5 = 4
Symbol Meaning Example
/ Divide 20/5 = 4
π pi A = πr²
ꝏ infinity ꝏ is endless
= equals 1+1=2
Approximately
equal to
Not equal to
Performs Operations on Mathematical
Expressions Correctly
In simplifying mathematical
expressions, the following order of
operations is one critical point to observe.
It is the set of rules that determines which
operations should be done before or after
others.
Before, we used to have the MDAS, that
stands for Multiplication, Division, Addition
and Subtractions. It was changed to use
PEMDAS which means Parentheses,
Exponents, Multiplication and Division and
Addition and Subtraction.
But now, most scientific calculators
follow BODMAS, that is Bracket,
Order, Division and Multiplication,
Addition and Subtraction.
 Explanation
BODMASRepublic of the Philippines
Example
PEMDAS
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
2(3+4)

B {} P
These act a sort of override
Nabua, Camarines Sur
=2x7= Parenthesi
Bracket
s for the rest of the order of 14 s

operation.
everything
Work
inside
out
the
Not
=2x3+
4
()
= 10
brackets first
Anything to the power of 2x²

O E
anything else goes next. = 2*x*x
This tends to help to make Not
complicated expressions =2*2*
look a bit neater; if things x*x
were done in a different
order you’d need a lot more
brackets.
 These go AT THE SAME
Republic of the Philippines
TIME. They are of equal
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
importance and should be
Nabua, Camarines Sur

D M
applied from left to right.
This is because
Divisio multiplication and division Multiplic
n and are inverse operations and ation
Multipli essentially the same thing. and
Division

D
cation Dividing by 2 is the same so

M
multiplying ½ so they have
the same importance or
changing the form of an
equation would change the
result and this is not how
math's works.
 Like with division and
Republic of the Philippines
multiplication,
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
Nabua, Camarines Sur

A A
addition and 3–2+1 Addition
Addition subtraction have = (3 – 2) + 1 and
and =2
subtracti
Subtracti equal importance so Not on
on should be done at the = 3 – (2 + 1)
=0
same time (left to

S S
right). Again they are
inverse operations,
adding -2 is the as
subtracting 2.
The order of operations or
BODMAS/PEMDAS is merely a set
of rules that prioritize the sequence
of operations starting from the
most important to the least
important.
Step 1: Do as much as you can to simplify
everything inside the parenthesis first
Step 2: Simplify every exponential number
in the numerical expression
Step 3: Multiply and divide whichever comes
first, from left to right
Step 4: Add and subtract whichever comes
first, from left to right.
Examples:

1. Evaluate: (11 – 5) × 2 -3 + 1
Solution:

Remove the parenthesis: 6 × 2 – 3 + 1

Multiply: 12 – 3 + 1
Subtract: 9 + 1
Add: 10
2. Simplify: {4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)]} ÷ 2
Solution:

{4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)]} ÷ 2
{4 – [4 -2(3)]} ÷ 2
{4 – (4 – 6)} ÷ 2
{4 – (-2)} ÷ 2
6÷2
3
Solution:

{4 – [4 -2(6 – 3)]} ÷ 2
{4 – [4 -2(3)]} ÷ 2
{4 – (4 – 6)} ÷ 2
{4 – (-2)} ÷ 2
6÷2
3
3. Simplify: 4{3 + 2[6 -3(4 – 9) + 3] – 12} + 4
Solution:
4{3 + 2[6 -3(4 – 9) + 3] – 12} + 4
4{3 + 2[6 -3(-5) + 3} – 12} + 4
4[3 + 2(6 + 15 + 3) – 12] + 4
4[3 + 2(24) – 12] + 4
4(3 + 48 -12) + 4
4(39) + 4
156 + 4
160
4. Simplify: 14 – 4{3 -2[5 + 2(12 – 9) + 3]} + 8
Solution:
14 – 4{3 -2[5 + 2(12 – 9) + 3]} + 8
14 – 4{3 -2[5 +2(3) + 3]} + 8
14 – 4[3 -2(5 + 6 + 3)] + 8
14 – 4[3 -2(14)] + 8
14 – 4(3 – 28) + 8
14 -4(-25) + 8
14 + 100 + 8
122
Assignments:
Answer the following questions:
Translate the following mathematical statements into mathematical symbols or
equations. Use x and y if no specific variable is indicated.
1. Six less than twice a number is less than or equal to forty-five. Answer: 2x - 6 ≤ 45
2. A number minus seven yields ten
3. A total of six and a number m
4. Twelve added to a number
5. Eight times a number is forty-eight
6. The produce of fourteen and a number
Translate the following mathematical symbols into mathematical
statements
1.) x + 12 = 8 Ans. Twelve added to a number is the same as eight
2.) 3x = 15
3.) w/15
4.) 10/m
5.) x – 6
6.) 2(x-3) =12
Thank you ☺