Let's create the
first world encyclopedia
of mathematics

• In 1997 we have so much confusion in mathematics it is not surprising that the ordinary person, student, enthousiast turns away from calculus, algebra etc...
  
• Ten ways or more to spell, write the same mathematical formulas is confusing.
  
• Ten ways or more to prononce a formula is confusing.
  
• The lack of explanation of mathematical symbols/graphics in books and dictionnary of mathematics is confusing.

The idea of knowledge being made available to the ordinary person drove the French philosopher Denis Diderot to create the first great encyclopedia in the eighteenth century.
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Read below the proof of this world wide mathematical confusion

Reading Spelling Writing and Pronunciation of
MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS
in ENGLISH

Minimising ambiguities when "speaking"
the MATHEMATICS LANGUAGE

Help NUMERACY by providing practical examples to this web page.
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1. Please read in English the following formula
   Word processor version or E-mail version
   
   
   
2. Pronounce and say loudly:
   The square root of four hundred and fifty divided by three plus seven
   
   
3. You will agree with me the text above corresponds to the formula at the top of this web page and is correct?
   Yes, it is correct
   
   
4. Now lets do some REVERSE ENGINEERING!...
   • As an exercise, to check if the text above is correct, ask your class mate, teacher, friend, colleague to write the mathematical expression:
   • " The square root of four hundred and fifty divided by three plus seven"
   
   
5. Click HERE for the REVERSE ENGINEERING Answer:
   ... The "correct" REVERSE ENGINEERING Answer may surprise you...
   
   
   
   Thinking further about mathematics
   
   • Is mathematics a language?
     
     
   • If mathematics is a language rather than a code, an alphabet, a drawing or a graphic, can the "mathematics language" be translated into any "natural" languages?
     
     
   • Why do English mathematics dictionaries not have the pronunciation of the mathematical expressions?
     
     
   • Do you know of a mathematics dictionary which has the pronunciation of mathematical expressions?
     
     
   • Do you know of mathematics School books, University text books which have the pronunciation of mathematical expressions?
     
     
   • Is there a need to pronounce to yourself a mathematical expression? if so why?
     
     
   • In a mathematical expression, what order of operation do you choose ? BEDMAS, PEMDAS, BODMAS or OTHERS? why?
     
     
   • If you can help, email us
     
     
   • .... more mathematical expressions to come, please keep reading....
   
   
   
6. REVERSE ENGINEERING Answers:"The square root of four hundred and fifty divided by three plus seven"

   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   

   (sqr(400),50/3+7) as x,y pair
   
   

   (sqr(400),50/(3+7)) as x,y pair
   
   

   sqr(450)/3+7
   
   

   sqr(450)/(3+7)
   
   

   sqr(450/3)+7
   
   

   sqr(450+(3/7))
   
   

   sqr((450+3)/7)
   
   

   (sqrt(450)/3) + 7
   
   

   ((450^(1/2)/3) + 7
   
   

   (450^(1/2) * 1/3) + 7
   
   

   "La racine carree de quatre cent cinquante divisee par trois plus sept" (French)
   
   

   "Die Quadratwurzel von vierhundert und von fünfzig teilte sich durch drei plus sieben" (German)
   
   

   "La radice quadrata di quattrocento e di cinquanta ha diviso per tre più sette" (Italian)
   
   

   "A raiz quadrada de de quatro cem e cinqüênta dividiu-se por três mais sete" (Portuguese)
   
   

   "La raíz cuadrada de cuatro cientos y cincuenta se dividió por tres más siete" (Spanish)
   
   

   "for the Hebraic, Chinese Pinyin, Russian, Korean, Arabic, etc... version please e-mail me" (Pinyin)
   
   

   "for further answers to this mathematical expression please e-mail me" (further answers)

   Thank you to everyone for sending formulas, comments and helping with this web page.
   If you wish to contribute to this page, have your name, initials, organisation etc. published, please say so clearly.
   
   
7. Which of the above spoken formulas left their inprint (fingerprint) in your mind?
   
   

8. The spoken version of a mathematical expression is a great source of confusion.
   Does it need to be that way?
   Any solutions, tricks etc.. to stop the confusion?

9. Does the world need an International Convention of Mathematical Symbols?
   I do not think so. When you write mahematical formulas make it easy for your readers to read, to pronounce and speak your formula(s). Remember to include a detailed list of your symbols, their general and particular meanings.
   It is better to be over-precise than confusing. Wipe mediocrity from your writing.
   
   
10. If you know of websites or documents which explain the verbal pronounciation of mathematical expressions, please do not hesitate email us
    
    
11. At the moment , I am looking for a show of interest regarding any mathematical expression, in any language and in any alphabet, with a spoken pronounciation.
    My areas of interest: "abstract algebra", "functions", "sets", "groups", "matrices", "fractals" are welcome.
    
    
12. For publication on this website: any example of a mathematical expression (formula) should come with at least one spoken version of this mathematical expression (formula)
    
    
13. Positive contributions are always welcome.
    
    Thank you
    G. North - October 1997 -
    
    Do you know the answer to the following question? The C.E.R.N. invented http (the html protocol) to help nuclear scientists to communicate, with other physicists, around the world.
    The original html protocol does not support the use of mathematical expressions, so how did the phycisists/scientists communicated formulas and mathematical expressions between themselves, using html?
    
    

Copyright © 1997 PEN. All rights reserved

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