Pontuação em Linguagem Matemática

Abstract

Punctuation, independently of the language we are considering, is one of the most important grammar areas, since it is essential for understanding a text. In mathematical language, the correct use of the punctuation is also very important. In this point of view, the present study aims to present different situations in which a mathematical expression should be punctuated, and the reasons why these punctuations are used. Initially, some grammar concepts of mathematical language are presented to support this study, such as dialects, words formation processes, reading styles and characters that indicate punctuation. Afterwards, a parallel is made with certain cases that require punctuation in portuguese language. In this context, similarities are found between situations that need punctuation in these two languages. When these similarities are analyzed, should be noted that the use of an appropriate punctuation makes certain phrases clearer, thus avoiding noise, ambiguity and incorrect interpretations. In order to eliminate certain kinds of noise, using some pontuation, we analyze ambiguous mathematical expressions and their causes; we also observed the characteristics and structures of expressions that may have their meaning changed, if its punctuation is missing or made incorrectly. In these cases, besides the ambiguity and the altered meaning, it can cause mathematically inconsistent expressions, and it is one more situation where the correct use of punctuation is necessary.