Does 'three times more' have the same meaning as 'three times as much'?

[Tan Elaine]

Carrying goods by train costs three times more than carrying by barge.

Does 'three times more' have the same meaning as 'three times as much'?

Thanks.

[SoothingDave]

Yes. It costs $100 one way and $300 the other.

[5jj]

There is a lot of confusion about this. The safest thing is always to use three times as much as. If somebody says to you three times more than, ask them to confirm the actual figure.

[konungursvia]

Three times as much would likely be 300%, whereas three times more may signify 400%.

[5jj]

Three times as much would likely be 300%, whereas three times more may signify 400%.

That's what I have always believed. Unfortunately some people use both to mean 300%.

[Verona_82]

That's what I have always believed. Unfortunately some people use both to mean 300%.

Why unfortunately? "...times more" asks for doing a rapid multiplication with a subsequent addition, which complicates everything.

[5jj]

Why unfortunately? "...times more" asks for doing a rapid multiplication with a subsequent addition, which complicates everything.

'Unfortunately', because it can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. That's why I made the suggestion I did in post #3.

three times as much = 300%.
four times as much = 400%.

Three times more = ? (It's all very well for Konungursvia and me to say it is 400%, but if others think it is 300% then there is a problem).

[Raymott]

Why unfortunately? "...times more" asks for doing a rapid multiplication with a subsequent addition, which complicates everything.

Wouldn't that be an argument for simply not using it in front of non-mathematicians rather than to pretend that it means the same as "three times as much" if, and only if, the author intends it that way?

The problem is that, eventually, language tends towards the lowest common denominator unless there's a very good reason for it not to. The LCD here is that they mean the same because, as you point out, figuring the difference is beyond most people. We use language for communication, so even if we have to use completely incorrect terms to get a point across, that's what's necessary.

If a patient has only 10% chance of recovering, and he's visited the next day by his doctor who says, pleased, that he's improved 100% overnight, the patient (if I know patients) will NOT get the message that he still has only a 20% survival chance.