Lesson 2
Mathematical
Language and
Symbols
Lesson 2.1
The Language
of Mathematics
A. Mathematical
Symbols
Mathematical Symbols
Mathematics uses symbols instead of words. Some of the
most common symbols used are for operations, grouping
symbols, equality and inequality symbols.
A. Mathematical Symbols
Recitation
A. Mathematical Symbols
1. What are these symbols?
=, ≠ , ≈ Equal
Unequal
Approximately Equal
A. Mathematical Symbols
2. What are these symbols?
Parentheses
, , Brackets
Braces
(Grouping Symbols)
A. Mathematical Symbols
3. What are the signs used for multiplication?
Times sign
× ,∗,∙ Asterisk
Multiplication Dot
(Raised dot)
A. Mathematical Symbols
4. What are the signs used for division?
Division sign (obelus)
÷ , −,/ Fraction line
(horizontal line)
Division slash
A. Mathematical Symbols
a. ampersand
5. What does this symbol mean?
b. for all
𝜀 c. there exists
d. therefore
e. epsilon
f. sigma
A. Mathematical Symbols
a. ampersand
6. What does this symbol mean?
b. for all
∴ c. there exists
d. therefore
e. epsilon
f. sigma
A. Mathematical Symbols
a. ampersand
7. What does this symbol mean?
b. for all
∃ c. there exists
d. therefore
e. epsilon
f. sigma
A. Mathematical Symbols
a. ampersand
8. What does this symbol mean?
b. for all
∑ c. there exists
d. therefore
e. epsilon
f. sigma
A. Mathematical Symbols
a. ampersand
9. What does this symbol mean?
b. for all
∀ c. there exists
d. therefore
e. epsilon
f. sigma
A. Mathematical Symbols
10. What does this symbol mean?
Infinity
∞ (Lemniscate)
• [Link]
ml
Lesson 2.1
The Language
of Mathematics
B. The Set of Real
Numbers
The Set of Real Numbers
• The set of real numbers is all the numbers which can be
located on a number line. We use ℝ to denote the set of
real numbers.
NATURAL NUMBERS
• Also known as the counting numbers
• Includes the positive whole numbers (1, 2, 3, …) and zero.
• Denoted by the symbol ℕ.
• ℕ0 is used if the set starts with zero (also known as the set of whole
numbers) and ℕ1 or ℕ if the set starts with 1.
h t t p s : / / t h i n k z o n e .w l o n k . c o m / N u m b e rs / N u m b e r S e t s . h t m
INTEGERS
• Includes the set of natural numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, …) and their negatives (-1, -
2, -3, …)
• Denoted by the symbol ℤ (From Zahlen, German word for number).
h t t p s : / / t h i n k z o n e .w l o n k . c o m / N u m b e rs / N u m b e r S e t s . h t m
RATIONAL NUMBERS
• Includes integers and fractions (because integers can also be written as fractions,
e.g. 5 = 10/2)
• Ratios of two integers (fractions, where the denominator is not zero.)
• Denoted by the symbol ℚ (from quotient)
h t t p s : / / t h i n k z o n e .w l o n k . c o m / N u m b e rs / N u m b e r S e t s . h t m
RATIONAL NUMBERS
• Also includes terminating and repeating decimals.
Fraction Decimal
1 0.5
2
2 3.4
3
5
9 1.125
8
3 0.1363636 …
22
1 0.333 …
3
So far, the set of rational numbers includes:
IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
• Includes numbers which cannot be written as a fraction (quotient of two
integers)
• Non-terminating and non- repeating decimals
• 𝜋, 𝜑, ℯ
• Square roots of natural numbers which are not perfect squares (e.g.
1
2, 5, )
21
• Can be denoted as ℚ’.
h t t p s : / / t h i n k z o n e .w l o n k . c o m / N u m b e rs / N u m b e r S e t s . h t m
REAL NUMBERS
• Includes all rational and irrational numbers
• Denoted by ℝ.
h t t p s : / / t h i n k z o n e .w l o n k . c o m / N u m b e rs / N u m b e r S e t s . h t m
Are there “unreal” numbers?
• Imaginary numbers (square root of negative one)
−25 = 5𝑖
• Undefined numbers (numbers divided by zero)
5
𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
0
6 No number can divide 6 to get 3
2 3 =6 ; =3
2
except 2
0 0 0 There is no unique answer, that is
5 0 =0 ; = 0; = 0; = 0
5 1 𝑛
why it is undefined
B. The Set of Real Numbers
Recitation
B. The Set of Real Numbers
1. Which number does NOT belong to the group?
A B C
0 -3 1/4
D E
25 -16
All numbers are integers, except ¼.
B. The Set of Real Numbers
2. Which number does NOT belong to the group?
A B C
0.5 0.55 0.555
D E
0.555… 0.12356789…
All numbers are rational except 0.123456789… (non- terminating
and non- repeating).
B. The Set of Real Numbers
3. Which number does NOT belong to the group?
A B C
4 3 2
D E
1 -1
All numbers are natural numbers, except -1.
B. The Set of Real Numbers
4. Which number does NOT belong to the group?
A B C
𝟏𝟔 −𝟖 𝟒𝟗
D E
𝟐𝟓 𝟑
−𝟖
−𝟓
All numbers are real and integers, except −𝟖 (imaginary).
B. The Set of Real Numbers
5. Which number does NOT belong to the group?
A B C
𝝅 𝒆 𝟑𝟏
D E
𝟐𝟑 𝝋
𝟑
All numbers are irrational, except 23/ 3.
B. The Set of Real Numbers
6. TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE
All integers are rational numbers.
FALSE
B. The Set of Real Numbers
7. TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE
Some natural numbers are integers.
FALSE
All natural numbers are integers.
B. The Set of Real Numbers
8. TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE
Some rational numbers are integers.
FALSE
B. The Set of Real Numbers
9. TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE
Not all irrational numbers are real.
FALSE
All irrational numbers are real.
B. The Set of Real Numbers
10. TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE
All natural numbers are whole numbers.
FALSE
Lesson 2.1
The Language
of Mathematics
C. Translating English
Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/
Sentences
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
• Mathematical Expression- correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
used to represent a mathematical object of interest. It contains a correct
arrangement of mathematical symbols but does not express a complete
thought.
• Mathematical Sentence- a correct arrangement of mathematical symbols
that expresses a complete thought. Makes sense to ask if the sentence is
TRUE or FALSE.
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Expressions Sentences
2x + 1 2x + 1 = 3
x–3 x<3
y2 + 6y + 7 y2 + 6y + 7 ≥ 0
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Less Less than Is less than
Five less a number Five less than a Five is less than a
number number
5–x x–5 5<x
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
The sum of the squares The square of the sum
The sum of the squares of The square of the sum of
two numbers two numbers
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 𝑥+𝑦 2
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Square Square root
The square of a number The square root of a number
𝑥2 𝑥
Cube Cube root
The cube of a number The cube root of a number
𝑥3 3
𝑥
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Twice a number Half of a number
Double a number A number divided by two
A number multiplied by two
2𝑥 𝑥
2
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
The sum of three The sum of three consecutive
consecutive integers even integers
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + (𝑥 + 2) 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2 + (𝑥 + 4)
Example: Example:
5+6+7 4+6+8
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
A two-digit number The sum of the digits of a two-
digit number
10𝑡 + 𝑢 𝑡+𝑢
Example: 15 Example: 15
10(1) + 5 = 15 1+5=6
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
A three-digit number The sum of the digits of a three-
digit number
100ℎ + 10𝑡 + 𝑢 ℎ+𝑡+𝑢
Example: 245 Example: 245
100(2) + 10(4) + 5 = 245 2 + 4 + 5 = 11
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Paul’s age now Thrice Paul’s age one year ago
𝑥 3(𝑥 − 1)
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
The sum of two numbers Nine less than the sum of two
numbers
𝑥+y 𝑥+y −9
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
Recitation
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
1. Twice a number increased by 5
A. B.
2x + 5 2(x + 5)
C. 2x + 2(5) D. 2x (5)
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
2. Thrice a number less than ten
A. B.
3x < 10 3(x - 10)
C. 3x - 10 D. 10 - 3x
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
3. The product of the sum and difference of two numbers
A. B.
ab + ab - ab (a+b)(a-b)
C. ab(a+b)(a-b) D. ab - ab
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
4. Twice the square of a number, increased by five
A. 𝟐
B.
𝟐𝒙 +𝟓 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓
𝟐 𝟐
C. 𝟐 𝒙+𝟓 D. 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
5. TRUE OR FALSE:
“The quotient of the difference between two numbers, and
five” can be written as
𝒙 −𝒚
.
𝟓
TRUE FALSE
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
6. The square of a number is greater than its square root.
A. B.
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 𝒙𝟐 > 𝒙
C. 𝒙𝟐 D. 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
7. The sum of three consecutive integers is 21.
A. B.
x + (x + 1) + (x + 1) = 21 x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 21
C. x + (x + 2) + (x + 3) = 21 D. x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 21
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
8. The sum of thrice your age three years ago, and seven is
less than 38.
A. B.
(3x – 3) + 7 < 38 3(x – 3) + 7 - 38
C. 3(x – 3) + 7 < 38 D. (3x – 3) + 7 - 38
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
9. TRUE OR FALSE:
“The square of the sum of two numbers less than five is
less than 21” can be written as:
𝒙 + 𝒚 𝟐 − 𝟓 < 𝟐𝟏. 𝟓 − 𝒙 + 𝒚 𝟐 < 𝟐𝟏
TRUE FALSE
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
10. TRUE OR FALSE:
“The square root of the product of two numbers is greater
than twice the cube of the sum of those numbers” can be
written as:
𝟑
𝒙𝒚 > 𝟐 𝒙 + 𝒚
TRUE FALSE
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
11. Twelve more than a number is seventeen. What is the
number?
A. B.
5 12
C. 17 D. 10
x + 12 = 17
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
12. Five less than two times a number is the same as
seven. What is the number?
A. B.
5 7
C. 6 D. 8
2x – 5 = 7
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
13. the difference between the total of one and seven and
the product of six and three
A. B.
8 10
C. 18 D. -10
(1 + 7) – (3 x 6)
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
14. half of a number minus six is three
A. B.
8 10
C. 18 D. -10
𝒙
−𝟔=𝟑
𝟐
C. Translating English Expression/ Statements to
Mathematical Expression/ Sentences
15. Anna is twice as old as her brother Ben. The sum of
their ages is 27. How old is Ben?
A. 13 B. 9
18 14
C. D.
x + 2x = 27