GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Module 2:
Mathematical
Language And
Symbol
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH AS LANGUAGES
Mathematics and English are both languages.
The figure below will give you an overview on their similarities and
differences
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Similarities of English to Mathematics as language:
Nouns could be constants such as numbers or expression with
numbers:
A verb could be equal sign = , or inequality symbols like > or ≤ .
Pronouns could be a variables like x or y :
Sentences could be formed by putting together these parts:
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
THE LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR OF MATHEMATICS
Mathematics has a language features unparalleled in other
languages, like presentation for example “,y,or x “ for any real
number or any numerical expression.
Mathematics has grammar too, but it is the mathematical logic that
determines whether the statements are true or not true, valid or not
valid.
Therefore, we need to view Mathematics as a language and must learn
it in a way a language is learned.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Mathematical Expression and Sentence
A mathematical sentence must state a complete thought.
While an expression is a name given to a mathematical object of
interest.
Examples of mathematical expressions:
1. An ordered pair
2. A matrix
3. A function f(x)
4. The set {1, 3, 5}
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Examples
of mathematical
statements:
Examples of
algebraic sentences:
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Example:
Translate the following expression and sentences in English into
Mathematical expressions and statement or vice versa. Use the letter
n to represent the unknown.
a. A number increased by 10.
b. 2n + 1.
c. The difference between the ages of mom and son is 27.
d. 3n-1=23
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
LANGUAGE OF SETS
The concept of sets was formalized by George Cantor, a German
mathematician (1845-1918). He defined set as a collection of
definite distinguished objects called elements.
Set Notations
Set notation refers to the different symbols used in the process of
working within and across the sets. The simplest set notation used to
represent the elements of a set is the curly brackets { }.
The roster method is defined as a way to show the elements of a set by
listing the elements inside of brackets. An example of the roster method
is to write the set of numbers from 1 to 10 as {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
and 10}.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
1. The set is composed of five vowels of the English alphabet may be
named and can be denoted as A={a,e,i,o,u}. Sets like A which has a
definite number of elements in roster method where the elements are
listed . Commas are used between each element and a pair of braces
are used to enclose the list elements.
NOTE:
• The elements in roster form can be in any order (they don't need to
be in ascending/descending order).
• The elements should not be repeated in set roster notation.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
2. The set whose elements are all integers may be named and can
be written as N={x|x Z} . This is read as “Set N is the set of all
values of x such that x is an integer”. Sets like Set N which has
indefinite number of elements are written in set-builder
method. This notation is used whenever it is convenient or
impossible to list all the elements of a set; it merely describes the
characterizing property of its elements in terms of symbols.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Examples:
Use roster method to represent a set.
a) The set of natural numbers less than 5
Use set-builder method to represent a set.
a) Set M is the set whose elements are numbers greater than negative
five but less than four.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
MORE CONCEPTS TO LEARN ABOUT SETS
1. Finite Set is a set whose elements are countable.
Examples:
• A={red,orange,yellow,green,blue} .
• Set B is the set of integers greater than zero but less than five.
2. Unit Set is a finite set that has only one element.
Examples:
• C={0}
• Set D is the set consisting of the number that is neither prime nor
composite.
3. Infinite Set is a set where the number of elements is unlimited or
not countable.
Examples :
• }
• Set is the set of positive integers
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
3.2 SET OPERATIONS
The union of two sets and is the set composed of elements that
belong to either Set and or Set or both sets , and is denoted by
which read as union .
Example:
If Set A is the set composed of months starting with letter J.
Set B is the set composed of months with exactly five letters.
Set C is the set composed of months starting with letter M.
then A={January, June, July} B={March, April} C={March, May}
Find A B, A C, B C.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
The intersection of two sets X and Y is the set composed of elements
that belong to either Set X and or Set Y or both sets, and is denoted
by X Y which read as X intersection Y.
Example:
If D is the set of single-syllable months.
E is the set of months with y as the letters.
F is the set of months with four letters or less.
then, D={March, May, June }
E={January, February , July}
F={May, June, July}
Find D E , E F , D F.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
The difference of two sets X and Y is the set of elements in set X, but
its common elements with Set of Y is taken out and is denoted by X - Y
which is read as ”X minus Y. “ X - Y can be understood also as the set
composed of the elements of X with the elements of its intersection
with Y removed or in symbols, X - Y=X - (X Y).
Example:
A={January , June , July}
D={March, May, June}
F={May , June, July}
Find: A – D, D – A, A – F, F – A
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
The complement of a Set X relative to a universal set U is the set of
elements in U that are not in X and is denoted by X’ (read as "X
prime”). The universal set is the totality of all elements that are
included under a defined condition. X' can be understood as the set that
is composed of all elements of U with its common elements with X
taken out , or in symbols , X’=U – X.
Example:
If U={-5,-4,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,4,5}
A={0,1,2,3,4,5}
B={-4,-2,0,2,4}
Find A’ and B’.
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
The Cartesian product of two sets X and Y is the set of all possible
pairs of elements and is denoted by X×Y (read as “the Cartesian
product of X and Y”). Each pair of elements is called an ordered pair
(x,y), where the first element x is an element of the first set X ; that is
, x X ; the second element y is an element of the second set Y ; that
is y Y.
Example:
If M={0,1} and N={1,2}
Find M×N , N×M , and M×M
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
3.3 VENN DIAGRAM
The Venn Diagram, named after John Venn (English logician, 1834-
1923), is a geometric representation of sets, set relation, and
operations. It usually utilizes overlapping or non-overlapping circles
drawn rectangle.
a visual tool using overlapping circles to represent the relationships
between different sets of data, showing both commonalities (in the
overlapping areas) and differences (in the non-overlapping areas).
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
VENN DIAGRAM AND SETS OPERATIONS
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Example:
Use the Figure to answer each of the following.
a. Which regions represent A C?
b. Which regions represent A C?
c. Which regions represent A B'?
GE 7: Mathematics in the Modern World
Counting problems occur in many areas of applied mathematics. To solve
these counting problems, we often make use of a Venn diagram. In the
next example, we can use Venn Diagram to help us solve some word
problems.
Example:
A movie company is making plans for future movies it wishes to produce.
The company has done a random survey of 1000 people. The results of
the survey are shown below.
695 people like action adventures.
340 people like comedies.
180 people like both action adventures and comedies.
Of the people surveyed, how many people
a. like action adventures but not comedies?
b. like comedies but not action adventures?
c. do not like either of these types of movies?