Module 2.1

MODULE 2-1
CORE IDEA
Like any language, mathematics has its own symbols, syntax and rules.
Learning Outcome:
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.
Time Allotment: Four (4) lecture hours

Specific Objective
At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Understand what mathematical language is.
2. Name different characteristics of mathematics.
3. Compare and differentiate natural language into a mathematical language and expressions into
sentences.
4. Familiarize and name common symbols use in mathematical expressions and sentences.
5. Translate a sentence into a mathematical symbol.
Introduction:
Have you read about one of the stories in the bible known as “The Tower of Babel?”
This story is about constructing a tower in able to reach its top to heaven; the Kingdom of God.
At first, the construction of a tower is smoothly being done since all of the workers have
only one and only one language. But God disrupted the work of the people by making their
language different from each other. There were a language barrier and the people were confused
what the other people are talking about resulting the tower was never finished and the people
were spread in all over and different places of the earth.
Based on the story, what was the most important thing that people should have in order to
accomplish a certain task? Yes, a “language”. Language is one of the most important thing
among the people because it has an important role in communication. But the question is, what
is language? Why is it so important? In this module, we will be discussing about mathematical
relative on what you have learned in your English subject.
Discussion:
For sure you may be asked what the real meaning of a language is. Perhaps you could
say that language is the one we use in able to communicate with each other or this is one of your
lessons in English or in your Filipino subject. According to Cambridge English Dictionary, a
language is a system of communication consisting of sounds, words and grammar, or the system
of communication used by people in a particular country or type of work.
Did you know that mathematics is a language in itself? Since it is a language also,
mathematics is very essential in communicating important ideas. But most mathematical
language is in a form of symbols. When we say that “Five added by three is eight”, we could
translate this in symbol as “5 + 3 = 8.”
Here, the first statement is in a form of group of words while the translation is in a form
of symbol which has the same meaning and if you will be reading this, for sure all of you have a
common understanding with this. But let us take a look at these mathematical symbols:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
∀ > 0,∃ 𝛿 > 0 → |𝑥 − 𝑎| < 𝛿,|𝑓(𝑥) − 𝐿| < ,𝑥𝜖𝑅
Did you understand what these symbols are? This mathematical sentence is a complex idea; yet,
it is contained and tamed into a concise statement. It may sound or look Greek to some because
without any knowledge of the language in which the ideas are expressed, the privilege to
understand and appreciate its grandeur can never be attained. Mathematics, being a language in
itself, may appear complex and difficult to understand simply because it uses a different kind of
alphabet and grammar structure. It uses a kind of language that has been historically proven
effective in communicating and transmitting mathematical realities. The language of
mathematics, like any other languages, can be learned; once learned, it allows us to see
fascinating things and provides us an advantage to comprehend and exploit the beauty of beneath
and beyond. Hence, in able to understand better different topics in mathematics, it is very
important that you must learn first on how to read and understand different symbols in
mathematics which used in mathematical language.
A. Characteristics of Mathematical Language

The language of mathematics makes it easy to express the kinds of thoughts that mathematicians
like to express.
It is:
1. precise (able to make very fine distinction)
2. concise (able to say things briefly); and
3. powerful (able to express complex thoughts with relative cases).
B. Vocabulary vs. Sentences

Every language has its vocabulary (the words), and its rules for combining these words
into complete thoughts (the sentences). Mathematics is no exception. As a first step in
discussing the mathematical language, we will make a very broad classification between the
‘nouns’ of mathematics (used to name mathematical objects of interest) and the ‘sentences’ of
mathematics (which state complete mathematical thoughts)’
You must study the Mathematics Vocabulary!

• Student must learn on how to use correctly the language of Mathematics, when and where to
use and figuring out the incorrect uses.
• Students must show the relationship or connections the mathematics language with the natural
language.
• Students must look backward or study the history of Mathematics in order to understand more
deeply why Mathematics is important in their daily lives.
Importance of Mathematical Language

• Major contributor to overall comprehension
• Vital for the development of Mathematics proficiency
• Enables both the teacher and the students to communicate mathematical knowledge with
precision
C. Comparison of Natural Language into Mathematical Language

The table below is an illustration on the comparison of a natural language (expression or
sentence) to a mathematical language.
Expressions English Mathematics
Name given to an object of Noun such as person, place 2
interest. and things and pronouns
Example: 3–2
a) Ernesto
b) Batangas City 3x
c) Book
d) He 3x + 2
ax + by + c
Sentence
It has a complete thought Group of words that express a 3+2=5
statement, question or
command. a+b=c
Example:
a) Ernesto is a boy. ax + by + c = 0
b) He lives in Batangas City.
c) Allan loves to read book. (x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2
d) Run!
e) Do you love me?
D. Expressions versus Sentences

Ideas regarding sentences:
Ideas regarding sentences are explored. Just as English sentences have verbs, so do
mathematical sentences. In the mathematical sentence;
3+4=7
the verb is =.
If you read the sentence as ‘three plus four is equal to seven, then it’s easy to hear the verb.
Indeed, the equal sign = is one of the most popular mathematical verb.
Example:
1. The capital of Philippines is Manila.
2. Rizal park is in Cebu.
3. 5 + 3 = 8 4. 5 + 3 = 9
Connectives
A question commonly encountered, when presenting the sentence example 1 + 2 = 3 is that; If
= is the verb, then what is + ?
The answer is the symbol + is what we called a connective which is used to connect
objects of a given type to get a ‘compound’ object of the same type. Here, the numbers 1 and 2
are connected to give the new number 1 + 2. In English, this is the connector “and”. Cat is a
noun, dog is a noun, cat and dog is a ‘compound’ noun.
Mathematical Sentence
Mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of

mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. It makes sense to as about the TRUTH of
a sentence: Is it true? Is it false? Is it sometimes true/sometimes false?
Example:
1. The capital of Philippines is Manila. 2. Rizal park is in Cebu. 3. 5 + 3 = 8 4. 5 + 3 = 9
Truth of Sentences
Sentences can be true or false. The notion of “truth” (i.e., the property of being true or
false) is a fundamental importance in the mathematical language; this will become apparent as
you read the book.
Conventions in Languages
Languages have conventions. In English, for example, it is conventional to capitalize
name (like Israel and Manila). This convention makes it easy for a reader to distinguish between
a common noun (carol means Christmas song) and proper noun (Carol i.e. name of a person).
Mathematics also has its convention, which help readers distinguish between different types of
mathematical expression.
Expression
An expression is the mathematical analogue of an English noun; it is a correct
arrangement of mathematical symbols used to represent a mathematical object of interest.
An expression does NOT state a complete thought; in particular, it does not make sense to ask if
an expression is true or false.
E. Conventions in mathematics, some commonly used symbols, its meaning and an example
Set
Logic
Basic Operations and Relation Symbols
Set of Numbers
F. Translating Words into Symbol

• Practical problems seldom, if ever, come in equation form. The job of the problem solver is to
translate the problem from phrases and statements into mathematical expressions and equations,
and then to solve the equations.
• As problem solvers, our job is made simpler if we are able to translate verbal phrases to
mathematical expressions and if we follow step in solving applied problems. To help us translate
from words to symbols, we can use the Mathematics Dictionary.
Examples:
Let x be a number. Translate each phrase or sentence into a mathematical expression or
equation.
1.Twelve more than a number.
Ans.: 12+x
2.Eight minus a number.

Ans.: 8−x
3.An unknown quantity less fourteen.

Ans.: x−14
4.Six times a number is fifty-four.

Ans.: 6x=54
5. Two ninths of a number is eleven.

Ans.: 2/9x=11
6. Three more than seven times a number is nine more than five times the number.
Ans.: 3+7x=9+5x
7. Twice a number less eight is equal to one more than three times the number.
Ans.: 2x−8=3x+1 or 2x−8=1+3x

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MODULE 2-1

Time Allotment: Four (4) lecture hours

∀ > 0,∃ 𝛿 > 0 → |𝑥 − 𝑎| < 𝛿,|𝑓(𝑥) − 𝐿| < ,𝑥𝜖𝑅

A. Characteristics of Mathematical Language

B. Vocabulary vs. Sentences

You must study the Mathematics Vocabulary!

Importance of Mathematical Language

C. Comparison of Natural Language into Mathematical Language

D. Expressions versus Sentences

Mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English sentence; it is a correct arrangement of

1. The capital of Philippines is Manila. 2. Rizal park is in Cebu. 3. 5 + 3 = 8 4. 5 + 3 = 9

F. Translating Words into Symbol

2.Eight minus a number.

3.An unknown quantity less fourteen.

4.Six times a number is fifty-four.

5. Two ninths of a number is eleven.

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