Mathematics in the
Modern World
sir lee-knows
MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE AND
SYMBOLS
The language of mathematics is the
system used by mathematicians to communicate
mathematical ideas among themselves. This language
consists of a substrate of some natural language (for
example English) using technical terms and grammatical
conventions that are peculiar to mathematical discourse
supplemented by a highly specialized symbolic notation for
mathematical formulas. Mathematics as a
language has symbols to express a formula or to
represent a constant. It has syntax (concerned with the
rules used for constructing, or transforming the symbols
and words of a language) to make the expression well-
formed to make the characters and symbols clear and
valid and do not violate the rules.
Mathematics symbols can designate
constants (numbers and symbols), variables (letters),
operations, and other aspects of logical syntax.
The language of mathematics (Wikipedia)
makes it easy to express the kinds of symbols, syntax and
rules that mathematicians like to do and characterized by
the following:
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, etc.
b. Concise. (able to say things briefly)
Example: The long English sentence can be
shortened using the mathematical symbol. Five plus two
equals seven which means 5 + 2 = 7. Three x squared plus
five x; 3x2 +5x
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 s a
correct arrangement of mathematical symbols used to
represent a mathematical object of interest.
The most common expression types are
numbers, sets and functions.
Examples:
a) 5 ; 2 + 3 ; 10/2 ; (6 - 2) + 1;
1+1+1+1+1
b) 8a ; 6a + 2a; 16a2 /2a; (10 - 4 + 2) a;
15a - 7a
c) A = {counting numbers from 1 to 3} ; A = {1,
2, 3}
* All look different, but are all just
different names for the same answers.
MATHEMATICAL CONVENTION
A Mathematical
convention is a fact, name, notation, or usage which is
generally agreed on by mathematicians. For instance, the
fact that one evaluates multiplication before addition in the
The following symbols are commonly used in the
order of operations:
SYMBOL MEANING
EXAMPLE
+ Add
3 + 7 = 10
- Subtract
11 - 9 = 2
x Multiply
4 x 6 = 24
÷ or / Divide
64 ÷ 16 = 4
π pi
A = πr2
∞
infinity
SYMBOL MEANING
EXAMPLE
<, ≤ less than, less than or equal to 2<3
>, ≥ greater than, greater than or equal to 5 > 2
√ square root (radical)
√4=+2
0
, ‘, “ degrees, minutes, seconds
20030’15”
∴ therefore
5 + 2 = 7 ∴2 + 5 = 7
PERFORM OPERATIONS ON MATHEMATICAL
EXPRESSIONS CORRECTLY
In simplifying mathematical expressions, the
following order of operations (hierarchy of mathematical
operations) is one critical point to observe. It is the set of
rules that determines which operations should be done
But now, most scientific calculatorsfollow
BODMAS (Brackets, Order, Multiplication and Division,
Addition and Subtraction).
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: Simplify the following problems.
1). (11 - 5) x 2 - 3 + 1 - 24;
2). 10 ÷ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 x 3 +(-3)3
3) (16 - 4) (8 - 3)2 ÷ 3 +4
4) 16 - 3(5)2÷ 3 + 4 x (-2)4
5). (2 + 3)2 x 4 - 33 + 6 - (5)2 x 4
6). 6 - 2 x 7 ÷ 2 - 4 + 2 - 3{4 - 2(6 - 3)} ÷ 2
7) {3 +2[6-5(8-4)+3]-2} - {7 - 3[8 - 2(5-3)+10 - 15} -20
Shortcut:
TRY THESE:
1). 4 x 3 {8 - 5 (2 - 4)3 x 3} ÷ 2 (Female)
2). 12 ÷ 4 { 7 - 3(5 - 2)2 + 1} x 5 (Male)