Chapter
2
Mathematical
Language and
Symbols
Ron Alfie S. Juson
At the end of
the lesson,
the students
are able to:
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
The Language of Mathematics
Over the course of the past three
thousand years, mankind has developed
sophisticated spoken and written natural
languages that are highly effective for
expressing a variety of moods, motives,
and meanings.
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Mathematical
Symbols
A mathematical
symbol is a
character that is
used to indicate a
mathematical
relation or
operation.
Common Mathematical Symbols
+
plus, add, added to, increased by,
greater than, more than
3 + 5 ; 8 + 7 = 15
_
Common Mathematical Symbols
minus, subtract, subtracted
by/from, less than, decreased by
5 - 2 ; 8 - 10 = -2
Common Mathematical Symbols
x
times, multiplied by, multiply, the
product of
4 x 2 ; (7)(10) = 70
Common Mathematical Symbols
÷
divide, divided by, the quotient
of, the ratio of
14 2 ; 25 5 = 5
Common Mathematical Symbols
()
grouping symbol
(pair of parentheses)
2 (5 – 3) ; 5(8+a)
Common Mathematical Symbols
[]
grouping symbol
(square or box brackets)
2 [2+(5 – 3)] ; [5(8+a)]-1
Common Mathematical Symbols
{}
grouping symbol , set
(braces, curly brackets)
2+ {5 - [2+(5 – 3)]}
A = {2, 3, 6, 7}
Common Mathematical Symbols
𝜋
pi or approximately
3.141592653589793238…
A = ; C = 2r
Common Mathematical Symbols
∞ infinity
(-
Common Mathematical Symbols
¿
equals, is equal to
1 + 1 = 2 , 2x + y = 5
Common Mathematical Symbols
≠
is not equal to
1+25
Common Mathematical Symbols
≈
is approximately equal to
.141592
e 2.71828
Common Mathematical Symbols
¿
is less than
1 + 4 < 10
Common Mathematical Symbols
≤
is less than or equal to,
at most
𝑥 ≤ 5
Common Mathematical Symbols
¿
is greater than
5 ∙ 4 >15
Common Mathematical Symbols
≥
is greater than or equal to,
at least
-2
Common Mathematical Symbols
√❑
radical (square root of)
;
x=
Common Mathematical Symbols
3
√❑
radical (cube root of)
;
Common Mathematical Symbols
⁰Degree(s)
90⁰ , ⁰C =
Common Mathematical Symbols
∴therefore
𝑎=𝑏∴ 𝑏=𝑎
Symbol Meaning Example
+ add 3+7 = 10
− subtract 5−2 = 3
× multiply 4×3 = 12
÷ divide 20÷5 = 4
/ divide 20/5 = 4
() grouping symbols 2(a−3)
[] grouping symbols 2[ a−3(b+c) ]
{} set symbols {1,2,3}
π pi A = πr2
∞ infinity ∞ is endless
= equals 1+1 = 2
approximately equal to π 3.14
≠ not equal to π≠2
<≤ is less than, is less than or equal to 2<3
>≥ Is greater than, is greater than or equal to 5>1
square root ("radical") √4 = 2
° degrees 20°
therefore a=b b=a
Mathematical Expressions Versus
Mathematical Sentences
A mathematical 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.
A mathematical expression does not state
a complete thought; it does not make
sense to ask if an expression is true or
false.
Examples of Mathematical Expressions
9 Algebraic
Expressions
2x - 7
3(a +b) – 4 + c
Polynomials
1 2
𝑥
2
Mathematical Expressions Versus
Mathematical Sentences
A mathematical sentence is the
analogue of an English sentence; it
is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols that states a
complete thought.
Examples of Mathematical Sentences
9–5=4
Mathematical
2x – 7 Statements
3(a +b) > 4
Equations,
y = mx + b Inequalities
A mathematical sentence can be
true or false or conditional.
1+2=2+1 1–2=0
a+(b+c) = (a+b)+c 1+2=2–1
(x)(y) = (y)(x) 1/2 > 5/6
4>-8 a+b<b+a
x+1 =3
2a + b = c
3–a<5
Seatwork
Determine whether the given is a mathematical expression or a
mathematical sentence. If it is a mathematical sentence, state if
it is true, false, or conditional.
1. -6 6. 3 ∙ 4 = 4 ∙ 3
2. 2x – 5 + 4b 7. 3
3. 5x – 2 = 0 8. 4 – 5 > 5 – 4
4. 3 + 4 = 4 + 3 9. 3
5. 10. a(b+c) = ab+ac
Seatwork
Determine whether the given is a mathematical expression or a
mathematical sentence. If it is a mathematical sentence, state if
it is true, false, or conditional.
1. -6 mathematical expression
2. 2x – 5 + 4b mathematical expression
mathematical sentence
3. 5x – 2 = 0
(conditional)
4. 3 + 4 = 4 + 3 mathematical sentence
(true)
5. mathematical expression
Seatwork
Determine whether the given is a mathematical expression or a
mathematical sentence. If it is a mathematical sentence, state if
it is true, false, or conditional.
6. 3 ∙ 4 = 4 ∙ 3 mathematical sentence
(true)
7. 3 mathematical expression
mathematical sentence
8. 4 – 5 > 5 – 4
(false)
9. 3 mathematical expression
10. a(b+c) = ab+ac mathematical sentence
(true)
Chapter
2
Mathematical
Language and
Symbols
Ron Alfie S. Juson