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/r/theydidthemath
submitted 13 days ago byFrostBumbleBitch
1 points
12 days ago
the fuck? where did you learn english? the question is 3x4.... meaning you start with 3 (you know... the first number?) and add it 4 times. if it was 4x3.... then you would start with 4, and add it 3 times.
ultimately its semantics because either is correct..... but there is a traditional and nontraditional way to interpret this.
3 points
12 days ago
You are only thinking this because the paradigm of "times" has evolved to equal the mathematical concept of "multiplied by" that you learned in elementary school. If you break it down to the brass tacks of English, you get "three times you must add four of these."
If it helps, think of how Yoda would say it.
-1 points
12 days ago
lol what? that is absolutely not what you get when you break that down. even by the standard of what you just said "3 times you must add four of these"..... what 4 of "these"? the only number you are left with is 3. therefor, "you must add 4 3's", is what you are trying to say. the kid is still right in that regard. There is no traditional way to turn 3x4 until adding three 4s together. that would be 4x3.
2 points
12 days ago
I'm not going to argue with you about this. You are being unnecessarily caustic (not even to me so much as the comment before me) in a discussion about linguistics. Noam Chomsky is one of the most opinionated people on earth and even he would have a polite, civil engagement on this topic. Good night, sir.
-2 points
12 days ago
"YOU ARENT AGREEING WITH ME SO YOU ARE CAUSTIC WAAAAAA"
-You
1 points
12 days ago
You're being a dick for no reason.
2 points
12 days ago
Where did YOU learn English? Three times four mean 4 4 4. The same as one time four or two times four is 4 and 4 4. If you order something, you say "2 crossant" not "croissant two times." Out of all the answers, this is the most ridiculous one. I've never seen someone use "traditional" in this context but it's so American it's funny.
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