• By Arya Admin
• In Faculty Blog,
• Posted February 08, 2021

Why mathematics is considered as a language?

Mathematics as a Language

Mathematics is basically considered as the language of science. Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer and physicist says that, “Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe". Students of Top Engineering Colleges can not read anything until they have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are circles, triangles, and other geometrical figures. Without this, it is impossible to comprehend a single word.

Mathematics is a truly a language. It helps to know what language is and how the vocabulary and grammar of mathematics are used to construct sentences. In order to be considered a language, a system of communication must include a grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and people who use and understand it. Mathematics make this a definition of language. People who do not consider math a language cite, its use as a written rather than spoken form of communication.

What is a Language?

There are various definitions of "language". A language may be a system of codes or words used within a discipline. Language may be considered as a system of communication using symbols or sounds. Professionals defined language as a set of sentences constructed using a finite set of elements. While some of them believe language should be able to represent events and abstract concepts.

Whichever definition is used, a language must contain several factors like there must be a vocabulary of words or symbols, meaning must be attached to the symbols or words or symbols, a language employs grammar, which is a set of rules that outline how vocabulary is used, a syntax organizes symbols into linear structures or propositions, a narrative or discourse include strings of syntactic propositions, there must be a group of people who use and understand the symbols.

Mathematics bridges all of these requirements. The symbols, syntax, their meanings, and grammar are the same across the globe. Mathematicians, scientists, and others use math to communicate different concepts. Mathematics describes itself real-world phenomena, and abstract concepts.

Vocabulary, Grammar, and Syntax in Mathematics

The vocabulary of math draws from various alphabets and includes symbols unique to math. A mathematical equation may be described in words to form a sentence that has a noun and a verb, just like a sentence in a spoken language. For instance,

3 + 5 = 8 could be stated as "Three added to five equals eight." By dividing this, nouns in math include Arabic numerals (0, 5, 123.7), Fractions (1⁄4, 5⁄9, 2 1⁄3), Variables (a, b, c, x, y, z), Expressions (3x, x2, 4 + x), Diagrams or visual elements (circle, angle, triangle, tensor, matrix), Infinity (∞), Pi (π), Imaginary numbers (i, -i), and The speed of light (c)

Verbs include symbols like equalities or inequalities (=, <, >), actions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (+, -, x or *, ÷ or /), other operations (sin, cos, tan, sec), etc. If students of Private Engineering Colleges in Rajasthan try to perform a sentence diagram on a mathematical sentence, they will find conjunctions, infinitives, adjectives, etc. In other words, the role played by a symbol depends on its context.

International Rules

Mathematics syntax and grammar like vocabulary, are international. No matter what country students of Best BTech Colleges in Rajasthan are from or what language they speak, the structure of the mathematical language is the same. It includes formulas are read from left to right, the Latin alphabet is used for parameters and variables. To a particular extent, the Greek alphabet is also used. Integers are basically drawn from i, j, k, l, m, n. Real numbers are shown by a, b, c, α, β, γ. Complex numbers are described by w and z while unknowns are x, y, z. Names of functions include f, g, h. The Greek alphabet mainly used to represent specific concepts. For instance, it used to indicate wavelength and ρ means density. Parentheses and brackets indicate the order in which the symbols interact. The way integrals, functions, and derivatives are phrased is uniform.

Language as a Teaching Tool

Understanding how mathematical sentences work is helpful while teaching or learning math. Students of top engineering colleges in Rajasthan often find numbers and symbols showing putting an equation into a familiar language makes the subject more approachable. Basically, it is like translating a foreign language into a known one.

Typically, while students dislike word problems, extracting the verbs, nouns, and modifiers from a spoken/written language and translating them into a mathematical equation is a valuable skill to have. Word problems improve comprehension and can increase problem-solving skills. Due to this, mathematics is the same across the globe and math can act as a universal language. A phrase or formula has the same meaning, regardless of different language that accompanies it. In this way, math helps people communicate and learn, even if other communication barriers exist.

The Argument Against Math as a Language

Nobody denies the fact that mathematics is a language. Some definitions of "language" described as a spoken form of communication. Mathematics is basically a written form of communication. It may be easy to read a simple addition statement aloud (e.g., 1 + 1 = 2), it is much harder to read other equations aloud. Also, the spoken statements would be rendered in the speaker's native language. However, sign language would also be disqualified on the basis of this criterion. Most linguists accept sign language as a true or basic language. There are a handful of dead languages that no one knows how to pronounce or even read anymore.

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