Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:

Mathematical Language and Symbols

MODULE 2
Mathematical Language and Symbols
Course Intended Learning Outcome:
At the end of the course, you can (1) examine the nature of mathematics, what it is, how it is expressed,
represented and used, and (2) utilize different types of reasoning, symbols and languages to justify
mathematical statements and arguments, and to solve problems.
Specific Objectives:
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
 discuss the language, symbols, and conventions of mathematics
 differentiate mathematical expressions from mathematical sentences, and
 convert English phrases/ sentence to mathematical expression/ sentence, and vice versa.
Introduction:
Mathematics, was often foresee as a subject that only deals with numbers. However, upon its
discovery it contributes a lot in building the civilization up to the present days. You may not realize but
even in the simplest activities, you use Mathematics. Unfortunately, only few appreciate its beauty. Thus,
this course aims to provide a deeper understanding in different perspectives of Mathematics.
In this module, we will tackle the language of Mathematics, how symbols and signs can speak up
various meanings and complex ideas. We will find out why learning its structure is important as an initial
step to understand its language and symbols.

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT

 Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols

ACTIVITY 2.1 – I swear, I’m telling the truth!

Directions: Examine whether you know or not the different languages/ symbols in the table. Put a check
(/) in the corresponding column if you know the language, and cross (x) if not.
Note: Answer this before proceeding to the next pages.
Name:
Year and Section:
ACTIVITY 2.1 – I swear, I’m telling the truth!
I know this language. (/)
Language or Symbol
I don’t know this language. (x)
1.

2.

;
3.

4. Continuer toujours.

5. Sigue Adelante.

6. Ga door.

7. Tuloy lang.

8. Continua cosi.

9. Keep going.

10. Perserva.
Note: Foreign words used are all derived using Google translate. Any misused or misspelled words are unintentional.

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT

 Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols

In the previous activity, the languages used were (1) Korean, (3) Japanese, (4) French, (5) Spanish, (6)
Dutch, (7) Filipino, (8) Italian, (9) English, and (10) Latin. If you would notice, (and I hope you noticed)
these set of languages and symbols have only one meaning when translated in English. These all mean
“KEEP GOING.” But which among the ten symbols/ language can be understood by most of us, by any
nationality?

;
Most probably, it is the symbol “ ”, which is in item number 2 of Activity 1.1. In writing, this means
that a statement stops but still continues to complete its thought. If you are not familiar with it, this is also
used today to symbolize hope and its message tells someone to keep going, to continue, to move forward
despite of all the hindrances.
Why are we talking about this? What is its connection to Mathematical Language?

Let me ask you again.

Out of those 10 languages in Activity 1.1, how many did you understand? What is your reaction as you
read the foreign languages I used in the activity?
Is it okay because you know all the languages? Or, you get confused because you can’t understand?
Don’t worry. There are just things we can’t understand in a glimpse. It is being studied by taking baby
steps.

This goes the same in Mathematics. Remember when you’re a child, starting to learn how to count? Then
it proceeds to arithmetic as simple as 1 plus 1. (But now, you’re finding your x.)
What operation comes to your mind as you hear/ read “plus”? Your previous teachers taught you that
“plus” indicate addition. Other than that, words such as more than, all together, add, combine, sum of,
and total of, will direct you to addition. If you write these words as symbol, you use +.
You may translate the word plus in other languages but in symbol, it is still +, a symbol that could be
understood by many, by any nationality.
Mathematics is difficult for many reasons we could possibly list. Somehow, Mathematics is difficult
because we can’t understand its language, its foundation. Like all other languages, it requires practice to
use it fluently.
On our first module, we learn about Mathematics in our natural world. Now let’s learn how it works!

Keep going, dear students 😊

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT

 Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols

Just like different nations in the world, Mathematics has its own language. It has its own
vocabulary and rules. But unlike the other languages, the language of Mathematics is nontemporal
because it does not have the concept of the past, present, and future tenses.
In English …
Let’s take the English language for instance. It has its own vocabulary/ words, like “phrase”
which refers to a word or set of words. Take a look of the following example:
even number
Michaela
six
the tree
amazing
Seoul, Korea
the magic trick
Yes, these are phrases that could be a name given to an object.
For example, “Michaela”. The phrase says “Michaela”. But what’s with Michaela? Is there any
word that is associated with that phrase? None. Does it show a complete idea of what it meant to say?
Another, “the magic trick”. So, what’s with “the magic trick”? Does it show a complete idea of
what it meant to say?
If you answered “No, it doesn’t show.”, you got it right. English phrases do not state a complete
thought.

Now, let’s try to combine words by forming a sentence from phrases I listed.
Michaela loves Seoul, Korea.
The magic trick is amazing.
Six is an even number.
Unlike earlier, the sentence now tells something about Michaela, that “Michaela loves Seoul,
Korea.” The phrase “Michaela” and “Seoul, Korea” is combined using the verb “loves”.
The sentence describes “The magic trick” as amazing by using the verb “is”.
Lastly, “Six” is named as “an even number” because it is divisible by 2. The verb used is “is”.

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT

 Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols

Guess what’s on your mind! If English phrases do not state a complete thought, then…?

… then, English sentences express a complete thought about the object of interest. That’s the
difference between the two.

Got it? (If yes, very good! If confused, I’m one chat away.)

It’s your turn for an exercise!

Exercise 2.0.1. Directions: Tell whether the following is a phrase or a sentence. Write your answer
on the space provided below.
1. The capital of Marinduque province is Boac.
2. My friend, Iska
3. Mathematics is my favorite subject.
4. The most expensive project
5. My teacher is beautiful.

I’m discussing this because it has something to do with how we would be able to understand the language
of Mathematics. English has phrases and sentences. What about in Mathematics?

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT

 Mathematics in the Modern World | Section I | Module 2:
Mathematical Language and Symbols

Lesson 2.1: Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Communicating mathematically requires enough foundation of the Language of Mathematics.
This structure is used by mathematicians because of its characteristics enumerated as follows:
Characteristics Definition Example
Precise Mathematical language makes Using mathematics, even the smallest things can be
an exact and accurate measured accurately or approximately, very small
expressions. measure like 0.000000000000000000032 could be
exact.
Concise Mathematical language enables In the example above, instead of saying that long
to say things briefly. number, we could write it as simply as 3.2x10-20.

Powerful Mathematical language can Try to add this: 9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9. You may
express complex thoughts with proceed to the process of 9+9=18+9=27… to arrive
relative ease. with the answer, 90.
But in easier way, you could simply count the number
of 9s then proceed to multiplication. It has ten 9s so,
9x10 = 90.
This are only simple examples. There are lots of complicated mathematical thoughts that are
easier when expressed using mathematical language and symbols.
It’s your turn for an exercise!

Exercise 2.1.1. Directions: Tell whether the following indicates a precise, concise, or powerful
characteristic of a Mathematical language. Write your answer on the space provided below.
1. The use of mathematical language allows us to state thoughts easier.
2. Through mathematical language, instead of saying large values and long words, we simply
write it mathematically to become short but still holding the same meaning.
3. In mathematics, accuracy is very important. By using the language of Mathematics, we are
able to define exact values, even of the smallest unit.

Prepared by: IVY JOY N. AGUIFLOR, LPT