Mathematical Language

Read this section for an introduction to mathematical language, then work through practice problems 1-4.

Practice Problem Answers

Practice 1: (a) All values of x less than 5.

(b) x = 4

(c) Both x = 4 and x = 6.

(d) x = 4

(e) x = 6 and all x less than 5.

Practice 2: (a) x + 5 < 3.

(b) At least one prime number is even.
There is an even prime number.

(c) x^2 ≥ 4.

(d) x does not divide 2 or x does not divide 3.

(e) At least one mathematician can sing well.
There is a mathematician who can sing well.

Practice 3: Here are several ways to restate "If (a shape is a square) then (the shape is a rectangle)".
All squares are rectangles.
Every square is a rectangle.
Each square is a rectangle.
Whenever a shape is a square, then it is a rectangle.
A shape is a rectangle whenever it is a square.
A shape is a square only if it is a rectangle.
A shape is a square implies that it is a rectangle.
Being a square implies being a rectangle.

Practice 4: (a) statement "If a function is differentiable then it is continuous".
contrapositive "If a function is not continuous then it is not differentiable".

(b) statement "All men are mortal".
contrapositves "All immortals are not men".
"If a thing is not mortal then it is not human".

(c) statement "If (x equals 3) then (x^2 – 5x + 6 equals 0)".
contrapositive "If (x^2 – 5x + 6 does not equal 0) then (x does not equal 3)".

(d) statement "If (2 divides x and 3 divides x) then (6 divides x)".
contrapositive "If (6 does not divide x) then (2 does not divide x or 3 does not divide x)".