Speaking Mathematically

Characteristics of Mathematical Language

Mathematical Language
It is a system used to communicate
mathematical ideas. This language consists of
some natural language using technical terms
(mathematical terms) and grammatical
conventions that are uncommon to
mathematical discourse, supplemented by a
highly specialized symbolic notation for
mathematical formulas. The mathematical
notation has its own grammar and shared by
mathematicians anywhere in the globe.
Characteristics of Mathematical
Language

Precision in mathematics is lime a culture

of being correct all the time. Definitions and
limits should be distinct. Mathematical ideas is
being developed informally and being done
more formally, with necessary and sufficient
conditions stated up front and restricting the
discussion to a particular class of object.
Characteristics of Mathematical
Language

Being Concise is a strong part of the culture

in mathematics language. The mathematicians
desire the simplest possible single exposition at
the price of additional terminology and
machinery to allow all of the various
particularities to be subsumed into the
exposition at the highest possible level.
Characteristics of Mathematical
Language

Being Powerful is a way of expressing

complex thoughts with relative ease. The
abstraction in mathematics is the desire to unify
the diverse instances under a single conceptual
framework and allows easier penetration of the
subject and the development of more powerful
method.
Characteristics of Mathematical
Language

Being Powerful is a way of expressing

complex thoughts with relative ease. The
abstraction in mathematics is the desire to unify
the diverse instances under a single conceptual
framework and allows easier penetration of the
subject and the development of more powerful
method.
Speaking Mathematically

Expression vs. Sentence

Expression

An expression (or mathematical

expression) is a finite combination of
symbols that is well – defined according to
rules that depend on the context.
e.g. 4xy, 5x + 7, 7ab – 2b + 3
Sentence

A sentence (or mathematical sentence)

makes a statement about two expressions,
  either using numbers, variables, or a
combination of both.
e.g. 2 + x = 5, , 3x + 4y 15
Speaking Mathematically

Conventions in the Mathematical Language

Conventions in Mathematical Language

A Mathematical convention is a fact, name,

notation, or usage which generally agreed upon
by mathematicians. Mathematicians abide by
conventions to be able to understand what they
write without constantly having to redefine basic
terms.