Interpreting the Language of Mathematics Symbols for Words

Interpreting the Language of Mathematics Symbols for Words GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 1

Treating Math as a Language n n Mathematics is a foreign language! To understand it, we must learn its two basic parts: Syntax n Vocabulary n GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 2

Syntax n n Syntax is the arrangement of the “word” of a language. In math, it is usually written as Numbers/letters/symbols = Numbers/letters/symbols on one side on the other side GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 3

Symbols of Addition Words Used Add, sum, plus, more than, in addition to, combined with GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 Symbols +, , 4

Symbols of Subtraction Words Used Subtract, difference, Less than, reduced by, Lessened by, take away, Minus GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 Symbols - 5

Multiplication Words Used Multiply, times, product, Of, “twice”, “thrice”, etc. GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 Symbols x, ∙, *, ()(), Nothing: ab 6

Division Words Used Divide, quotient, Ratio, into, fraction GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Symbols , /, __, ) Week 4 7

Equality Words Used Equals, is equal to, Is equivalent to, Is the same as GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Symbols = Week 4 8

Summary n n Math is a foreign language with its own syntax, vocabulary, and “alphabet” We can learn this language by learning the rules of syntax and the words of the vocabulary and then practice! GE 184 -Prob. Solv. Week 4 9