Writing in Mathematics for College Algebra
Proper writing is important to any subject. This is especially true for mathematics. All too often proper writing for mathematics is not emphasized in schools. What we will be talking about here is mathematical writing for College Algebra. Below is a website with some information on writing in mathematics. We will highlight some of the ideas here also. By far this is not all there is to good mathematical writing and like all subjects practice makes perfect. I just wanted to bring to your attention that there is a proper way to write mathematics and it is very important that you do learn to do so. Your book is a good place to see how to write properly.
Website
College-Algebra.Com Writing Mathematics Correctly
Website
College-Algebra.Com Writing Mathematics Correctly
Highlights from College-Algebra.Com Writing Mathematics Correctly
Basic Rules for Writing Mathematics "Mathematics writing is different from ordinary writing and harder - in addition to all the requirements of ordinary good writing, there are additional constraints and conventions in mathematics. An additional constraint is that mathematics follows much more demanding rules of logic than ordinary discourse, and you must make your logic clear. Some of the additional conventions are those for defining new concepts and those for organizing the material .... "[Maurer, p.3]
There are two important aspects to writing mathematics correctly:
"The fact that some mathematics conventions have been universally adopted around the world suggests that they accomplish something important." [Maurer]
For that reason it is unwise for a novice to vary from standard conventions, even though they are not absolute rules.
Common Errors to Avoid When Writing Mathematics The most common errors fall into the following categories:
Basic Rules for Writing Mathematics "Mathematics writing is different from ordinary writing and harder - in addition to all the requirements of ordinary good writing, there are additional constraints and conventions in mathematics. An additional constraint is that mathematics follows much more demanding rules of logic than ordinary discourse, and you must make your logic clear. Some of the additional conventions are those for defining new concepts and those for organizing the material .... "[Maurer, p.3]
There are two important aspects to writing mathematics correctly:
- The mathematics must be correct.
- The writing must be grammatically correct.
"The fact that some mathematics conventions have been universally adopted around the world suggests that they accomplish something important." [Maurer]
For that reason it is unwise for a novice to vary from standard conventions, even though they are not absolute rules.
- Write with a pencil so that errors may be erased and replaced with correct work.
- Use complete sentences, correct grammar, and correct spelling.
- Symbols (like the + symbol) that have a specific mathematical meaning are reserved for mathematical use.
- Don't submit a first draft.
- Many mathematical adjectives and nouns have precise mathematical meanings, and an English synonym will not serve as a replacement. For example, "element" and "part" are not interchangeable when referring to an element of a set.
- Look at examples of writing in the textbook, and try to emulate the style.
- Start each sentence with a word, not a mathematical symbol.
- Two mathematical expressions or formulas in a sentence should be separated by more than just a space or by punctuation; use at least one word.
- Words have meanings: be aware of them. For example, an equation has an equal sign in it.
- Don't use abbreviations.
- Don't end a line with an equal sign or an inequality sign.
- Insure that every statement is mathematically correct.
- Strive for a good balance between words and symbols.
- Honor the equal sign.
- Use different letters for different things.
- Remember mathematics is case sensitive.
- Define all terms or variables.
- Once a variable has been assigned a meaning, do not re-use it with a different meaning in the same context.
- There is a distinction between the definite article ( "the" ) and the indefinite articles ( "a" and "an" ).
- Avoid the use of imprecise terms.
- Be sure that the use of a term agrees with the definition of that term.
- Include transitional phrases to help guide the reader.
- Conclude the solution of a problem with a clear and complete statement of the conclusion.
Common Errors to Avoid When Writing Mathematics The most common errors fall into the following categories:
- Not answering the question.
- Incorrect English.
- Incorrect mathematics.
- Hard-to-read format.
- Use of pronouns such as it.
- Using the same symbol for different quantities.
- Too many words and too few symbols, or vice versa.
- Leaving too little space for possible corrections.