Module

Mathematical Language and Symbols

The Language of Mathematics
Four Basic Concepts
Elementary Logic
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, the students will be 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; and
4. acknowledge mathematics as a useful language.
 Lesson 1. The Language of Mathematics

In the Philippines, there are over 120 languages spoken like

Bisaya, Iloko, Kapampangan, Kankanaey, Pangasinan and Tagalog.
Filipino, which was the standardized form of Tagalog, serves as the
national language of the Philippines. Like any other language in the
world, mathematics has its own language, much of which we are
familiar with like the digits
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
and the symbols
+, −, ×, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ÷.

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

1. Precise
Being precise is being able to make very fine distinctions. In
Mathematics, just a little alteration in a symbol can make a big
difference in its meaning. For example,

𝑥 >1
is different

𝑥 ≥ 1.
from

That is why Mathematics is considered to be an exact Science.

Mathematical Contexts and Convention

There are a lot of symbols being used in Mathematics, and

sometimes they are used in different ways. To understand these
symbols, you need to know the context where it is being used. For

5: 12,
example, when you see the symbol

it could mean differently depending on the context. It can refer to a

time, a ratio, or a verse in the bible. Thus, it is very important to know
the context first so that you will understand the real meaning of the
symbol.
Another thing that you need to consider is the mathematical
conventions. Conventions are rules, names, notations, facts, etc. which
are generally agreed upon and widely used by mathematicians. An
example is the PEMDAS.
 P – stands for PARENTHESIS. This means you start first by
simplifying those inside a set of parentheses.
 E – stands for EXPONENTS. Evaluate expressions or parts of the
equations with exponents.
MD – stands for MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION. Apply the
multiplication and division operations whichever comes
first from left to right.
AS – stand for ADDITION and SUBTRACTION. Lastly, apply the
multiplication and division operations whichever comes
first from left to right.

by mathematicians. Some of these symbols are +, − , ×, and ÷

Most of the symbols and names used a conventional long period

represents the 4 basic operations in mathematics. Other symbols and

names will be discussed as we go on with the lesson.

2. Concise
Concise means being able to say things briefly. Being brief does
not only mean short, but it also needs to be complete. It means giving
a lot of information in the least number of words possible. In
mathematics, words and sentences can be translated into
mathematical symbols. To understand it better, you need first to know
the difference between the English language and the mathematical
language.

English Language versus Mathematical Language

In the English language, nouns are words used to name people,
places, and things. Whereas, a sentence is a group of words
expressing a complete thought, typically containing a subject and a
predicate. For example, consider the sentence
Elisa loves mathematics.
In the sentence, ‘Elisa’ and ‘mathematics’ are nouns and ‘loves’ is a
verb.
In mathematical language, analogous to “noun” is an expression. An
expression is a name given to a mathematical object of interest such
as numbers and variables. Whereas, “sentence” in mathematics is also
called a sentence. The mathematical sentence must also express a
complete thought like an equation and inequality.
Here are examples of mathematical sentences:
12 + 13 = 25
2𝑥 > 7
 In the first example, the verb is ‘=’. If you read the sentence as

the verb is ‘is equal to’. Whereas, ‘12 + 23’ and 25 are expressions.
‘Twelve plus thirteen is equal to 25’, then it is easy to recognize that

Similarly, the verb in the second example is ‘>’ and ‘2𝑥’ and 7
are expressions.
The following table summarizes the difference between
mathematical and English languages.

English Mathematics
English alphabet English alphabet, numerals,
and operations, Greek letters,
punctuation grouping symbols, special
Symbols
Example: symbols

𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, +, −,×,÷, 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝜇, (),
a, b, c, d, !,which ?,. Example:

[ ], <, >
The name was Noun Expression
given to the Example: Example:
object of Mary, John, 1, 4, 6+2, 2x, 4x-1
interest Alex,
Baguio, Bag, Table
Verbs Equalities, inequalities,
Example: and other
Action
Run, et, fly actions

=, <, >, ≅, ∝
Example:

Sentence Sentence

5+3=8
Example: Example:
Express
2𝑥 − 3𝑦 < 8𝑧
San Fernando City is
es
𝑥 ≠1
the capital of La
complet
Union. The sum of
e
five and
thought
three is eight.

Synonyms, just like in the English language are present in

mathematical language. In English, synonyms are words that have the
same or nearly the same meaning. In mathematics, synonyms have
the same values.

8 is the same as 5 + 3, 16 ÷ 2 or 12 − 4
For example:

A mathematical sentence also is either true or false and it can be

sometimes true or sometimes false.
Example:
1. 7 + 11 = 18 TRUE

2. 9 + 3 > 19 FALSE
3. 𝑥 + 1 = 8 𝑥 is a variable representing a number. If 𝑥 is 7 then
the equation is true, but if its value is any
number other than 7, then the equation is
false. Thus, the given sentence is sometimes
true/sometimes false.

4. 𝑥 + 0 = 𝑥
what value is substituted to 𝑥, both sides of the
This sentence is always true because no matter

equation will always be equal.

Translating English sentences/phrases to Mathematical Sentences/expressions

Here are some examples of phrases translated to expressions:

5+𝑛
Phrases Expressions

𝑥𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑦
the sum of 5 and a number

𝑛 − 10
the product of two numbers

7𝑛 𝑜𝑟 7 ⋅ 𝑛
a number decreased by 10

𝑛
seven times a number

6
The quotient when a number
is divided by 6

When it comes to equations, the keywords that translate to the

equal sign are:

Symbol Equivalent
phrase
equal

=
s is
is equal to
is the same
as amounts
to

Not only equation but also inequalities can be translated

using the following keywords:

Symbol Equivalent
phrase
Is less
<
than
Lesser
than
Fewer
than
 Below
Greater than
>
More than
Exceeding
Above
≤
No more
than At most
Does not exceed
At least
≥
No fewer
than
Minimum
No less than

Here are some examples of English sentences translated to

Mathematical sentences.

English sentences Mathematical

5 + 𝑛 = 25
sentences
The sum of 5 and a number is 25.
𝑥𝑦 ≤ 100
The product of two numbers does
not exceed 100.
𝑥 − 10 > 20
A number decreased by 10 is more

7𝑛 ≥ 49
than 20.
Seven times a number is at least
𝑛
< 12
49.

6
The quotient when a number is
divided by 6 is below 12.

3. Powerful
A powerful language can express complex thoughts with relative
ease. The best examples for these are some of the various equations
that have brought change into the world. In the book of Ian Stewart
entitled “17 Equations that Changed the World”, he listed 17 of the
most influential equations that had a great impact on Mathematics
even up to this date. Some of the equations are listed in the following
table:

Author/
Name Equation Purpose/
contri
Description
butor
(Year)

of the two legs 𝑎 and 𝑏

The sum of the squares

𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2
Pythagorea Pythagoras
of a right triangle is
n (530 BC)
 Theorem equal to the square of

hypotenuse 𝑐.
the

The logarithm of the

𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑥𝑦 =𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑔 John Napier
product of two
𝑥 +
Logarithms quantities is equal to
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑔
(1610)
the sum of the
𝑦 logarithm of each
quantity.

𝑑𝑓 (𝑓(𝑡 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑡))
The formula used to
=
quantity 𝑓 with respect
Newto find the derivative of a
𝑑𝑡 ℎ
Calculus
n

time 𝑡.
(1668 to
)
 𝐹 of gravitational
It determines the force

𝑚1𝑚2
𝐹=𝐺( )
Law Newto attraction between two

𝑑 2
masses 𝑚 and the
of n bodies in terms of their

distance 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛
Gravit (1687
y )
them.

𝑖2 = −1
Led to the introduction
The square
number 𝑖 and the
Euler of the imaginary
root of
(175
negative 1
numbers 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖.
1) creation of the complex

𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐2
Matter contains energy
Einstein equal to its mass
Relativity
(1905) multiplied by the
square of
the speed of light.
 Lesson 2. Four Basic Concepts

There are four basic concepts considered in mathematical language.

These are set, relation, function, and binary operations. These basic concepts
in mathematical language are somewhat analogous to the undefined terms
in Geometry, the point, line, and plane. Thus, the following definitions can be
thought of as descriptions rather than formal definitions.
[Link]
A set is a well-defined collection of objects such as numbers and
variables. The objects in the set are called elements of the set.
The elements of a set may be anything under discussion. It may be
numbers, names of persons, places, or dates. Uppercase letters, such as

Greek letter epsilon (∈) is used to indicate an element of a set thus 1 ∈ A

A, B, C, X, Y, Z, will be used to name sets. Furthermore, the lowercase

means that 1 is an element of set A and 5 ∉ means that 5 is not an

element of Set A.
Methods in describing sets:
1. The roster method is done by listing down each element,
separated by a comma and fully enclosed by braces. In doing the
roster method, consider the following:
1.1 the order of the elements does not matter
1.2 the elements are only listed once, thus, listing an element
more than once does not alter the set.
Example:
A = {point, line, plane}
point ∈ A; space ∉ A;
B = {Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union,

Pangasinan} La Union ∈ B;

Baguio ∉
B
2. The rule or description method is done by describing a set in
terms of properties which is satisfied by the elements of the set and
by those elements only. One way of doing the rule method is by the
set-builder notation. It is in the form A = {𝑥|𝑥 satisfies a certain
property/properties} which is read as “A is the set of all objects x
such that x satisfies a certain property.”
 C = { 𝑥|𝑥 is a natural number less than ten}
Example:

D = { 𝑥|𝑥 is a city in Region I}

 To compare the two methods, look at the following table:
Set-builder
Description Roster Method
notation
Set E is the set of E = {𝑥|𝑥 is an

2<
even numbers even number and E = {4, 6, 8, 10, 12,

𝑥 < 15}
between 2 and 15 14}

F = { 𝑥|𝑥 ∈
Set F is the set of
𝑍}
F = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
positive integers
G = {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ 𝑍
…}
Set G is the set of
integers that are both which are both G = {}
even and odd even and odd}

Classifications of Sets

1. Universal Set and Subset

Universal set contains all the elements in a particular

as set 𝑈. For example, when you are discussing the English

context or condition. The universal set is usually represented

alphabet, the universal set will be the letters of the English

alphabet. Other letters or symbols are not included. On the
other hand, a Subset is a set whose elements are also
elements of another set.

2. Finite Set and Infinite set

A finite set is a set whose elements are definite or can be
counted. Set E in the table is an example of a finite set. While
an infinite set is a set that is not finite or its elements are
impossible to exhaust. Set F is an example of an infinite set.

denoted by {} or ∅. Set G is given as an example.

3. A Null set (or empty set) is a set with no elements. It is

Cardinality of a set
The cardinality of set 𝐴, denoted by 𝑛(𝐴) is the
number of elements of set 𝐴.
The Venn Diagram
Before discussing the operations on sets, let us first review
what a Venn diagram is. A Venn diagram is a diagram, usually
made up of circles used to illustrate relationships between sets.
Venn diagram typically looks like these:
 Venn diagram with one set

Venn diagram with two sets

A B

Venn Diagram with three sets

U A B

How to create a Venn diagram of given sets.

Example: Given the following sets, construct the Venn diagram.
𝑈 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
𝐵 = {2, 3, 5, 7, 9}

All the elements of set 𝐴 should be inside circle A

and all elements of set 𝐵 should in the circle B.
Furthermore, the common elements of sets 𝐴 and 𝐵
should be situated in the intersection of the two circles.
 U
1
0 7
4 2 3
6 5 9
8

A B

Operations on Sets

The union of two sets 𝐴 and 𝐵 denoted by 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵, is the

1. Union of Sets

set that contains all the elements from set 𝐴 and 𝐵 or both. The
number of elements of 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵, is given by
𝑛(𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) = 𝑛(𝐴) + 𝑛(𝐵) − 𝑛(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵).

𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
For example, Let

𝐵 = {2, 3, 5, 7, 9}
The union of 𝐴 and 𝐵 is
𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9}

The union of two sets, 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 is represented by the

following Venn diagram.
U

A B

All the elements in the shaded area constitutes the union of the two
sets.

The intersection of two sets 𝐴 and 𝐵, denoted by 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵, is

2. Intersection of Sets

the set that contains all the elements which are both from set 𝐴
and 𝐵 only. To put it simple, the intersection of sets is the set of
elements common to both. The number of elements of 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵, is

𝑛(𝐴 ∩ 𝐵) = 𝑛(𝐴) + 𝑛(𝐵) − 𝑛(𝐴 ∪ 𝐵).

given by

𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
For the same example
 𝐵 = {2, 3, 5, 7, 9}
The intersection of 𝐴 and 𝐵 is
𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = { 3, 4, 5}

The intersection of two sets, 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 is represented by the

following Venn diagram.
U

A B

intersection of sets 𝐴 and 𝐵.

The shaded area contains all the elements of the

The complement of a set, denoted by 𝐴′, is the set whose

3. Complement of a Set

elements are the elements of the universal set but not in set 𝐴.
For example, if

𝑈 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}
𝐴 = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}

Then the complement of 𝐴 is

𝐴′ = {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}
The complement of set 𝐴 is represented by the following Venn diagram.

All the elements in the shaded area contains the elements of 𝐴′.

The difference of two sets 𝐴 and 𝐵, denoted by 𝐴 − 𝐵,

4. Difference of Sets
lists all the elements which are in set 𝐴 but not in 𝐵. That is,
remove all the elements
in 𝐴 which are also element of 𝐵. Take note that unlike the

commutative. It means that 𝐴 − 𝐵 is not the same as 𝐵 − 𝐴. To

Union and intersection of sets, the difference of sets is not

understand the operation better, study the following example:

Let
𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
𝐵 = {2, 3, 5, 7, 9}

𝐴 − 𝐵 = { 1, 4, 6}
Then

, and
𝐵 − 𝐴 = {7, 9}

The difference of two sets, 𝐴 − 𝐵 is represented by the following

Venn diagram.

A B

While 𝐵 − 𝐴 is represented by

Here are some examples when the operations are

combined. Given the following sets:
𝑈 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓, 𝑔, ℎ, 𝑖, 𝑗, 𝑘, 𝑙}
𝐴 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑗, 𝑙}
𝐵 = {𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓, 𝑗, 𝑘}
 𝐶 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑖, 𝑗, 𝑘, 𝑙}
Determine the following:

1. (𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) ∩ 𝐶
2. 𝐴 − (𝐵 ∩ 𝐶)
3. 𝐴 ∪ (𝐵′ ∩ 𝐶)

1. (𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) ∩ 𝐶
Solutions:

union of 𝐴 and 𝐵.
Start with the operations inside the parenthesis, that is the

(𝐴 ∪ 𝐵) = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 , 𝑒, 𝑓, 𝑗, 𝑘, 𝑙}

Take the result and determine its intersection with set 𝐶 to

have the final result.
{𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 , 𝑒, 𝑓, 𝑗, 𝑘, 𝑙} ∩ 𝐶 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑗, 𝑘, 𝑙}

2. 𝐴 − (𝐵 ∩ 𝐶)
Start with the intersection of 𝐵 and 𝐶 located inside

(𝐵 ∩ 𝐶) = {𝑗, 𝑘}
the parenthesis.

Take its difference with set 𝐴

𝐴 − {𝑗, 𝑘} = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑙}
3. 𝐴 ∪ (𝐵′ ∩ 𝐶)
Start by taking the complement of 𝐵, then take its
intersection with 𝐶.
𝐵′ = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑔, ℎ, 𝑙}
{𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑔, ℎ, 𝑙} ∩ 𝐶 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑙}

Finally, determine its union of the result with set 𝐴.

𝐴 ∪ {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑙} = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑗, 𝑙}
B. Relati
on
A relation is a set or collection of ordered pairs. An ordered pair has two
components, the x- and y-coordinate.
Example of ordered pair:
(𝑥, 𝑦) (5, −2) (𝑏𝑒𝑛, 𝑏𝑎𝑔)

𝑥, 5 and 𝑏𝑒𝑛 are the x-coordinates and 𝑦, −2 and 𝑏𝑎𝑔 are the y-coordinates.
 Relations can be presented through the following methods:
1. Set notation
Example:
{(1,2), (2,4), (3,6), (4,8)}

{(teacher, teach), (doctor, heal), (engineer, build)}

2. Tabular form
Example:
X Y X Y
Prime number 2
A Apple Prime number 3
B Ball Composite 8
C Cat number
D Dog Composite 9
number
3. Mapping diagram
Example:

Alaminos
Bata Ilocos Norte
c
Candon Ilocos Sur
Dagupa
n La Union
Laoa Pangasinan
g San Carlos
San
Fernando
Urdaneta

The set of all x-coordinates or the collection of all the first values in the
ordered pair is called the domain. While the set of all y-coordinates or the
collection of all the second values in the ordered pair is called the range.
Examples:
1. {(teacher, teach), (doctor, heal), (engineer, build)}
 Domain: {teacher, doctor, engineer}
Range: {teach, heal, build}
2.
X Y
Prime number 2
Prime number 3
Composite 8
number
Composite 9
number
Prime number 13

Domain: {Prime number, Composite

number} Range: {2, 3, 8, 9, 13}

C. Function
A function is a relation wherein every x-coordinate is paired to one
and only one y-coordinate.
Take note that all functions are relations but not the other way around.
Functions strictly follow the rule that each member of its domain is mapped
to only one member of its range.
Example:
1. {(1,2), (2,4), (3,6), (4,8)}
Notice that each of the first value is paired to a unique second
value. This relation is called one-to-one and it is a function.

2.

X
Y

Alaminos
Bata Ilocos Norte
c
Candon Ilocos Sur
Dagupa
n
La Union
Laoa
g San
Carlos Pangasina

Sa
 In this example, multiple components of the domain is paired to a
component in the range. To cite one, Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos
and Urdaneta is paired with Pangasinan. Though it is the case, it does
not violate the rule for a function saying that each domain is pair to
only one range. Thus, this relation is a function.
X Y
Prime number 2
Prime number 3
Composite 8
number
Composite 9
number
Prime number 13

Here, the elements of its domain are Prime number and Composite
Number. Prime number is paired with 2, 3 and 13, while composite number is
paired with 8 and
9. This violated the rule for function. Thus, the given relation is not a function.

dented by 𝑓(𝑥) which is read as ‘𝑓 of 𝑥’ or the function of 𝑥. The domain of

Functions can also be represented by an equation. A function is usually

the function are all the possible values of 𝑥.

Example:
Determine the domain of the given functions:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3
The domain of the function is the set of all real numbers (𝑅) since
all real numbers can be substituted to 𝑥 and will give a real
number.

2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
The domain of the function is the set of all real numbers (𝑅)
since all real numbers can be substituted to 𝑥 and will give a real
number.

3. 𝑓(𝑥) =
5

2𝑥+6

of x which will not make 2𝑥 + 6 zero since it will make the function
The domain of the given function is the set of all possible values

The value which will make 2𝑥 + 6 zero is −3. Thus, the domain
undefined.
 of the function is the set of real numbers except −3.
In set-builder notation, the domain is {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ −3}.

4. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 2
 possible values of 𝑥 which will not make 𝑥 + 2
The domain of the function is the set of all

a negative number since it will make the

values which will make 𝑥 + 2 negative are all

function imaginary or a complex number. The

real numbers less than −2. Thus, the domain of

greater than or equal to −2.

the function is the set of all real numbers

In set-builder notation, the domain is {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥

≥ −2}.

A binary operation, denoted by ∗, is a

D. Binary Operation

mathematical operation applied to two elements of

any set to produce another element.
The four basic operations, addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division are examples of binary

Other binary operations ∗ can be defined in any

operations.

way provided that it stays consistent on a given set.

It means that a binary operation in a situation may
be defined differently in another situation.

1. Let the binary operation ∗ be defined as the ordinary

Example:

addition (+) in 𝑅.
a. 32 ∗ −17 = 32 + (−17) = 15
b. (5 ∗ 6) ∗ −2 = (5 + 6) ∗ −2 = 11 + (−2) = 9
Other than addition, the common binary
operations used are subtraction,
multiplication and division, the four basic
operations in mathematics.

Let the binary operation ∗ be defined as 𝑎 ∗ 𝑏 = 𝑎 +

2. Binary operation can also be defined this way:

2𝑏. Solve the following:

a. 3 ∗ 4 = 3 + 2(4) = 3 + 8 = 11
b. 2 ∗ (−2 ∗ 5) = 2 ∗ [−2 + 2(5)] = 2 ∗ 8 = 2 +
2(8) = 18
A binary operation ∗ on a set is
commutative if and only if 𝑎 ∗ 𝑏 = 𝑏 ∗ 𝑎 for
all the elements of the given set. The ordinary
addition and multiplication are commutative
while division and subtraction are not.
A binary operation ∗ on a set is associative
if (𝑎 ∗ 𝑏 ∗ 𝑐 = 𝑎 ∗ (𝑏 ∗ 𝑐) for all the elements
of the given set.