• Why did we learn to write multiplication as x?
    142 replies, posted
I've never seen * used for multiplication outside of programming.
[QUOTE=Timebomb575;29321949]You use a dot for scientific notation? Or are you one of those weird people that uses E[/QUOTE] I didn't know [I]any [/I]people actually used E, thought it was just a calculator thing.
[QUOTE=HolyCrusade;29321803]• comes back as the dot product as well which confused me to hell at first, which is why I just use parenthesis and brackets.[/QUOTE] But I use * anyway so not really an issue When I use it which is not often at all. Usually numbers just get absorbed into each other when I'm doing calculations.
And communication via text-only media
Always used x, with a stylized x to denote variables. Never thought anything different. Write? Eugh, how archaic. If I must, I just scribble some barely legible representation of the words. In all other situations I just type it.
[QUOTE=M_B;29321030]to make it easier for children. kids are kind of dumb, no use pretending they aren't, and their writing is pretty messy until about 12, even for girls. so a ' • ' could look very much like a ' . ', which would lead to a world of hurt[/QUOTE] Kids are not dumb. They are just not knowledgeable.
[QUOTE=sami-elite;29322067]Kids are not dumb. They are just not knowledgeable.[/QUOTE] Many would argue that that, and their lack of knowledge regarding how to obtain knowledge, and their lack of mental development (as compared to an adult) would make them 'dumb'. Obviously it's far more complex than that, but even so.
In sweden they have • from the beginning of learning multiplication.
[QUOTE=Regorc's Chest;29321672]I've not been taught any way to to multiplication rather than x. Admittedly when using variables we so often use brackets (which don't require the x) that we rarely use it any more, but I have been taught the opposite of the OP, we use x for multiplication and a curved X for the variable. And for the division we always show it as fractional set-up and occasionally the actual sign. Examples: [img_thumb]http://gyazo.com/30af52b951dd479b9e5cf5fbf381d3c7.png[/img_thumb][/QUOTE] I was taught like that as well. I still write multiplication in three different ways... either e.g. 3x9, 3•9, or 3(9). However I can't stand to use the division sign ÷ anymore... it's so fucking ugly, I just use slash notation.
When we started using variables we were taught to multiply like this 2 x 3 = 2(3) I guess • would be a lot easier now that i think about it.
[QUOTE=Regorc's Chest;29321672]I've not been taught any way to to multiplication rather than x. Admittedly when using variables we so often use brackets (which don't require the x) that we rarely use it any more, but I have been taught the opposite of the OP, we use x for multiplication and a curved X for the variable. And for the division we always show it as fractional set-up and occasionally the actual sign. Examples: [img_thumb]http://gyazo.com/30af52b951dd479b9e5cf5fbf381d3c7.png[/img_thumb][/QUOTE] I would just note 3x X 5y and put down in the answer space 15xy.
[QUOTE=Craptasket;29320450]• or * is used because x is mostly likely going to be a variable, so it's used not to get people confused.[/QUOTE] Haha, oh wow, nice job reading the OP.
[QUOTE=Walrus.;29322614]When we started using variables we were taught to multiply like this 2 x 3 = 2(3) I guess • would be a lot easier now that i think about it.[/QUOTE] I personally for simple things like 4x X 3y, go directly into 12xy without writing X and for complex statements like 3x + 2 X 2x + 4y I would write (3x + 2)(2x + 4y).
I just use a(b) ie 2*2 = 2(2)
why are we so obsessed over this? I just use (x) now.
When I divide I do it like fractions for some reason. [editline]20th April 2011[/editline] And most of the time when I multiple I don't even use a dot or an X I just put it in parentheses. e.g. 3(5)
[QUOTE=xxncxx;29323233]When I divide I do it like fractions for some reason.[/QUOTE] That's how it's meant to be done
[QUOTE=rampageturke 2;29323252]That's how it's meant to be done[/QUOTE] Oh because it seemed like some people don't do that or think its irregular.
I have a problem with people using a strait cross for the letter "t" when written. It makes me get confused with addition. That does not help when you have to grade 200 or so papers and you get hung up at a problem.
Because Elementary School Sucks!
I still use cursive. :colbert:
I write it as a dot. A lot less confusing when you are dealing with exponents.
My cursive is horrid, I never want to use it again.
I dunno where you guys live but I've never ever seen or heard of it being written as a •. I gave up maths after GCSEs though so it's not like I've done much advanced maths. And I still write in cursive so fuck you.
[QUOTE=Barnhouse;29323853]I dunno where you guys live but I've never ever seen or heard of it being written as a •. I gave up maths after GCSEs though so it's not like I've done much advanced maths. And I still write in cursive so fuck you.[/QUOTE] In Algebra, often the x is replaced with a • to prevent confusion.
I never got why people stopped using cursive. I paid attention to class, so I remember thinking that maybe I didn't recieve a letter r something. I still prefer cursive all the way. Damn classy.
[QUOTE=MountainWatcher;29323972]I never got why people stopped using cursive. I paid attention to class, so I remember thinking that maybe I didn't recieve a letter r something. I still prefer cursive all the way. Damn classy.[/QUOTE] My cursive looks like someone coated a spider in ink and fed it LSD, then let it loose on my page. That's why I write in block caps, it's easier for everyone to read and I can still write it damn quickly.
We still haven't switched to the * method, instead pretty much everyone I know just keeps * as X and changes the variable 'X' to two brackets, but linked. )(
In school, we learned that, when multiplying two numbers, you use parentheses. For example, (5)(25).
Why the fuck I'd understand if the expressions inside the parentheses were longer But for multiplication of just two numbers why use 4 symbols
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