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Nov 18, 2014 · What are some examples of notations and words in maths which have been overused or abused to the point of them being almost completely ambiguous when presented in new contexts? For instance, a fun...
5. Sports are a rich field for abnormal notation. In cricket 165 - 7 does not mean 165 minus 7, but 165 runs for 7 wickets, as does 165 / 7 or, if you're Australian, 7 / 165. A bowler who bowls 6.5 overs does not bowl 6 and a half overs but 6 overs and 5 balls (an over consists of 6 balls, not 10, so 6.5 actually means 6.83333 …!).
Jul 9, 2013 · Ambiguity in mathematical notation. I’m reading Dylan Wiliam’s "Embedded Formative Assessment" book (which I highly recommend) and this paragraph jumped out at me: "To illustrate this, I often ask teachers to write 4x and 4½. I then ask them what the mathematical operation is between the 4 and the x, which most realize is multiplication.
Nov 5, 2017 · If this definition is accepted, then your example is not an abuse of notation. The second example is an example of metonymy, which occurs all over mathematics. Metonymy is a linguistic device that is not specific to mathematics; it occurs in all languages. Here is a discussion of its use in mathematics, including your example.
It is not about whether the division is the inverse of multiplication. That is the definition. This is not where the ambiguity is. It is that the notation is ambiguous (and experience shows that that it is a source for errors and misunderstandings). For example, if we write x/3x, then many humans understand the result as x/(3x) which is 1/3.
Jan 13, 2015 · 10. Short answer based on my opinions: (1) people don't learn grammar, (2) notation (e.g. lambda abstraction) for expressing things both precisely and conveniently is unfamiliar, and (3) people don't properly learn about dependent variables, and are instead trained to interpret everything as functions. – user14972.
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Aug 7, 2024 · Notation in mathematics is a system of symbols and signs used to represent numbers, operations, functions, and other mathematical concepts. It serves as a universal language that simplifies complex ideas and facilitates clear communication. Common examples include numerals (1, 2, 3), operational symbols (+, -, ×, ÷), and function symbols (f ...
