Sunday, August 14, 2011

English usage and Math terms

Many Algebraic ideas are connected to an English usage!
1) Nouns = Numbers
2) Pronouns = Variables
3) The verb "IS" becomes "=" in Mathematics
4) The power of the "COMMA" as grouping device
     becomes the "PARENTHESIS"
     when one translates into Mathematics
     TWO MORE THAN THREE TIMES FOUR
2 + 3 * 4
     TWO MORE THAN THREE , TIMES FOUR
  (2 + 3)*4
     (2 + 3 )(4)
     TWO MORE THAN , THREE TIMES FOUR
  2 + (3 * 4)
5) Declarative Sentences are either "TRUE" or "FALSE"
    John lives next door. (T/F)
    2 + 3 = 5 (T/F)
6) Open Sentences need to have the Nouns that
are possible replacements for a "Pronoun"
to make a decision about the "Truth or Falseness"
of the sentence.
    He lives next door. (WHO IS "HE"?)
(the Allowable Replacement words for "HE")
    X + 2 = 5 (We need the DOMAIN for "X")
7) Be careful when translating from English to Mathematics!
Students tend to put EQUATION signs where they don't belong:

Two more than X (This is a Phrase) ... 2 + X  ...or...  X +  2
Two is more than X (This is an Open Sentence) ...    2 > X




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