alkaspeltzar
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2006
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- United States
- Current Location
- United States
Okay, I have a question about numbers:
Why is it that they do not follow the normal rules of english. For example, I can read 1/2 as 'one-half, or one over two, or one divided by two'. Either way it is put, it is the same thing and same number. Either of those written forms is considered one number name.
Another example, I can write a number as 234.7 or 2.347x10^2. We read the latter number as two point three times ten to the second.
Numbers seems to be one case that can be one part of speech, despite at times they are written out complex, or in phrases. Why is that, is that just how they are defined? Just becuase it is math, not english?
I am a engineering student, simple answers would be the best. Thanks for the help.
I guess I am asking because if one were to write 2+2=4, there are two numbers that are equal, 2+2 and 4. 2+2 is just a number/expression and it is still one number. No other parts of speech can be expressed like that, so why numbers?
Thanks
Why is it that they do not follow the normal rules of english. For example, I can read 1/2 as 'one-half, or one over two, or one divided by two'. Either way it is put, it is the same thing and same number. Either of those written forms is considered one number name.
Another example, I can write a number as 234.7 or 2.347x10^2. We read the latter number as two point three times ten to the second.
Numbers seems to be one case that can be one part of speech, despite at times they are written out complex, or in phrases. Why is that, is that just how they are defined? Just becuase it is math, not english?
I am a engineering student, simple answers would be the best. Thanks for the help.
I guess I am asking because if one were to write 2+2=4, there are two numbers that are equal, 2+2 and 4. 2+2 is just a number/expression and it is still one number. No other parts of speech can be expressed like that, so why numbers?
Thanks