1. The Language of Mathematics
Symbols

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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?

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