The Language of Mathematics Symbols Symbols A symbol

The Language of Mathematics Symbols

Symbols A symbol is something that someone intends to stand for something other than itself. This statue, liberty , stands for the idea of The word “liberty” also stands for the idea of liberty. Both the statue and the word stand for something other than themselves.

Symbols • We use symbols to quickly communicate concepts and complex information. • In natural languages, words, not letters of the alphabet, convey information. • Mathematics uses letters of alphabets along with some special symbols as shorthand for natural language words.

Math Symbols The 5 types of math symbols you begin with are: • Numbers – the things we talk about • Variables - more things we talk about • Operations – used to make new things • Grouping Symbols – used for punctuation • Comparisons – used to make sentences

Numbers Math English zero, one, two, … Integers three fourths two and fifty six hundredths (two point five six, for short)

Variables Math English a, b, c, …* number, a number, x, y, z, … the number, etc. α, β, γ, … * Any symbol: , , , …, etc. , can be used as shorthand for the word “number”, but letters are easy to type and write.

Operations Math English + plus, increased by – negative, the negation of (unary operation) – minus, decreased by, less (binary operation) ×, • times, multiplied by ÷, / divided by

Grouping Symbols Math () [] {} English parentheses brackets braces division bar

Comparisons Math English equals, is equal to, is the same = number as > is greater than < is less than

Do you know your types? • What type of symbol is “)”? • What type of symbol is “+”? • What type of symbol is “>”? • What type of symbol is “y”? • Are “=“ and “ 2” the same type of symbol?

Look it up Look these up on the Internet or in a library. • • What is the name of “+” in French? What is the name of “ 3” in Chinese? What is the name of “<“ in Arabic? What is the name of “=“ in Turkish

Look it up • What is the name of “ 7” in Spanish? • What is the name of “=“ in Russian? • • What is the name of “×” in Hindi? What is the name of “ 1” in Swahili? What is the name of “÷” in Vietnamese? What is the name of “ 0” in Martian?

Home Projects Discuss the use of symbols in some other area of human endeavor, such as • • • Sports Music Science Language Art History