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reiro
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:22 pm
Post subject: reading fractions |
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Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
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David Taylor
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:22 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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reiro <reir@no.email.com> wrote on Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:22:57 +0100:
| Quote: | Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
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Yes. One half (or a half, or just half).
| Quote: | what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
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Most definitely not three thirds (that would be 3/3, more commonly written as 1).
Three quarters is right, though.
| Quote: | 72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
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72 halves... perhaps... but I would never say that. Either 72 over 2,
or 36.
--
David Taylor |
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Nate Branscom
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:55 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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reiro wrote:
| Quote: | Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
Just the fractions? Okay. |
| Quote: | 1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
One half. |
| Quote: | what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
Three quarters or three fourths. |
| Quote: | 72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
Um, seventy-two over two? I don't know of anybody that would use that |
kind of fraction unless they were working a Math problem and hadn't
simplified it to thirty-six, yet.
-- Nate
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Jim Lawton
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:23 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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On 8 Nov 2005 02:55:16 -0800, "Nate Branscom" <the_n8ball@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
reiro wrote:
Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
Just the fractions? Okay.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
One half.
what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
Three quarters or three fourths.
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But really three quarters is the normal way.
| Quote: |
72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
Um, seventy-two over two? I don't know of anybody that would use that
kind of fraction unless they were working a Math problem and hadn't
simplified it to thirty-six, yet.
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I agree. If you specifically want to read 72/2 off a page, you would read
"seventy two over two" I believe.
I think that simplification is important. It seems very odd to see 2/6 or say
"two sixths", even though it might be literally correct.
--
Jim
the polymoth |
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Seán O'Leathlóbhair
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:54 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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reiro wrote:
| Quote: | Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
|
I am not sure if Nate and Jim are answering from a British point of
view so here is another answer which is British.
In normal life (i.e. outside maths), I would only ever say 1/2 as
"half". In maths, I may say "one over/upon two" in some contexts. I
cannot think of any time that I would ever say "one second".
For 3/4, it is only: "three quarters". Again, in some maths contexts,
I may say: "three over/upon four". I would never say: "three fourths".
I know some people who are fluent but non-native who say "three
fourths" and it sounds very odd to my ears. (I assume that your "three
thirds" was a mistake).
72/2 would most likely be "seventy two over/upon two". "Seventy two
halves" is just about conceivable. Never "seventy two second(s)", that
would sound like a time. I would not say "thirty six" either. If
"72/2" was written for some reason, I would say it but I may add "of
course, that is thirty six".
Unlike Jim, I don't see "two sixths" as so unlikely. Obviously it is
not normal and "a/one third" would usually be preferred. But it may
come up in some sharing cases. E.g. share something between A, B, C
and D with the condition that C and D must get twice the portion of A
and B. I may say: "One sixth for A and B and two sixths for C and D".
This would make it more obviously the correct solution than using
"third".
--
Seán O'Leathlóbhair |
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reiro
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:57 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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Dnia Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:36:14 +0100, David Taylor
<davidt-news@yadt.co.uk> napisa³:
| Quote: | 72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
72 halves... perhaps... but I would never say that. Either 72 over 2,
or 36.
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Is it possible to use this structure "nmber over number" to talk about
common fractions like 1/2- one over two or 3/4 as three over four? |
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Seán O'Leathlóbhair
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:08 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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reiro wrote:
| Quote: | Dnia Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:36:14 +0100, David Taylor
davidt-news@yadt.co.uk> napisa³:
72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
72 halves... perhaps... but I would never say that. Either 72 over 2,
or 36.
Is it possible to use this structure "nmber over number" to talk about
common fractions like 1/2- one over two or 3/4 as three over four?
|
In certain mathematical contexts yes. It would be common when
dictating an expression and it is also likely when explaining a
computation. Note that "one upon two" is also common.
But in normal life, I would say that "one over/upon two" would be rare.
So rare, that you may not be understood. Try going into a shop and
asking for "three over four kilograms of cheese". At the least you
will get a funny look and you may get the reply: "What?" or a puzzled
look.
--
Seán O'Leathlóbhair |
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Tony Cooper
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:48 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:23:24 GMT, Jim Lawton
<usenet1@jimlawton.TAKEOUTinfo> wrote:
| Quote: | On 8 Nov 2005 02:55:16 -0800, "Nate Branscom" <the_n8ball@hotmail.com> wrote:
reiro wrote:
Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
Just the fractions? Okay.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
One half.
what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
Three quarters or three fourths.
But really three quarters is the normal way.
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I wouldn't say "three quarters" is the normal way in the US. I think
either version is common.
--
Tony Cooper
Orlando, FL |
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Bertel Lund Hansen
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:52 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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reiro skrev:
| Quote: | 1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
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One second - one minute ... you see the problem?
--
Bertel
Denmark |
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dcw
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:19 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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In article <dkq2je$13q0$1@outcold.yadt.co.uk>,
David Taylor <davidt-news@yadt.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: | reiro <reir@no.email.com> wrote on Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:22:57 +0100:
72/2 - can I read it as seventy-two second? or just as thirty-six?
72 halves... perhaps... but I would never say that. Either 72 over 2,
or 36.
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Agreed. But "three halves" for "3/2" is just about possible.
David |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:53 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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Seán O'Leathlóbhair wrote:
---SNIP-----
| Quote: |
For 3/4, it is only: "three quarters". Again, in some maths contexts,
I may say: "three over/upon four". I would never say: "three fourths".
I know some people who are fluent but non-native who say "three
fourths" and it sounds very odd to my ears. (I assume that your "three
thirds" was a mistake).
|
In North America, "one-fourth" and "three-fourths" are commonly used,
though probably not quite as much as "one-quarter" and
"three-quarters". It would not strike me at all strange to hear someone
order "three-fourths of a kilo of ham" at the deli. Well, as compared
to "three-quarters". Most likely this someone would order 750 grams and
be done with it. |
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Salvatore Volatile
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:01 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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nancy13g wrote:
| Quote: |
Jeffrey Turner wrote:
I've seen liquor sold in fifths but never fourths. But I
haven't been in a packie in a while. Pop is sold in two-liter
bottles, most everything else in British units.
Jeff, I asked you in another thread whether you're from New England or
not (based on your use of "quarter of" to tell time). I thought I'd
found the answer to that question here in this thread, since your use
of the word "packie" to mean a liquor store is an almost definite
marker of New England-ism.
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Isn't "packie" strictly Massachusetts-speak, or is it heard in other New
England states?
| Quote: | Then you went and mixed me up again by referring to the carbonated
stuff people drink as "pop". Are you *sure* you didn't mean to say
"tonic"?
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Twonic, actually. The canwonical twonic is Mwoxie. |
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Seán O'Leathlóbhair
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:35 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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larrysulky@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | Seán O'Leathlóbhair wrote:
---SNIP-----
For 3/4, it is only: "three quarters". Again, in some maths contexts,
I may say: "three over/upon four". I would never say: "three fourths".
I know some people who are fluent but non-native who say "three
fourths" and it sounds very odd to my ears. (I assume that your "three
thirds" was a mistake).
In North America, "one-fourth" and "three-fourths" are commonly used,
though probably not quite as much as "one-quarter" and
"three-quarters". It would not strike me at all strange to hear someone
order "three-fourths of a kilo of ham" at the deli. Well, as compared
to "three-quarters". Most likely this someone would order 750 grams and
be done with it.
|
Yes, my answer was only intended to cover British usage where "three
fourths" is rare.
In America, I would be surprised to hear: "750 grams of ham" but it is
the "grams" that would surprise me. In Canada, I would not be
surprised. It would also be unsurprising here where metric units are
finally making inroads.
I was aware that Americans would sometimes use "three fourths" rather
than "three quarters" but was not aware of the relative frequency of
the terms. "A fourth of gin" sounds very American to me. I guess that
"a quarter of gin" risks confusion with "a quart of gin" and you may
get more drunk than you intended. Over here, "quart" has not been
popular for a long time, not even before metric units were common.
Spirits were one of the first liquids to switch to metric even though
beer will probably be the last. Today, petrol (gasoline), spirits,
wine, fruit juice are in litres but beer and milk are still in pints.
--
Seán O'Leathlóbhair |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:49 pm
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:48:54 GMT, Tony Cooper
<tony_cooper213@earthlink.net> wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:23:24 GMT, Jim Lawton
usenet1@jimlawton.TAKEOUTinfo> wrote:
On 8 Nov 2005 02:55:16 -0800, "Nate Branscom" <the_n8ball@hotmail.com> wrote:
reiro wrote:
Could you please tell me how to read the fractions below.
Just the fractions? Okay.
1/2 - it's only possible to say half and not one second yes?
One half.
what about 3/4 - I think I've heard the two ways of reading it: three
thirds or three quarters. Which is more correct or more common especially
in GB?
Three quarters or three fourths.
But really three quarters is the normal way.
I wouldn't say "three quarters" is the normal way in the US.
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You're full of shit as usual, Coop.
--
Charles Riggs |
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Blue Hornet
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:30 am
Post subject: Re: reading fractions |
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Seán O'Leathlóbhair wrote:
| Quote: | larrysulky@gmail.com wrote:
Seán O'Leathlóbhair wrote:
---SNIP-----
For 3/4, it is only: "three quarters". Again, in some maths contexts,
I may say: "three over/upon four". I would never say: "three fourths".
I know some people who are fluent but non-native who say "three
fourths" and it sounds very odd to my ears. (I assume that your "three
thirds" was a mistake).
In North America, "one-fourth" and "three-fourths" are commonly used,
though probably not quite as much as "one-quarter" and
"three-quarters". It would not strike me at all strange to hear someone
order "three-fourths of a kilo of ham" at the deli. Well, as compared
to "three-quarters". Most likely this someone would order 750 grams and
be done with it.
Yes, my answer was only intended to cover British usage where "three
fourths" is rare.
In America, I would be surprised to hear: "750 grams of ham" but it is
the "grams" that would surprise me. In Canada, I would not be
surprised. It would also be unsurprising here where metric units are
finally making inroads.
I was aware that Americans would sometimes use "three fourths" rather
than "three quarters" but was not aware of the relative frequency of
the terms. "A fourth of gin" sounds very American to me. I guess that
"a quarter of gin" risks confusion with "a quart of gin" and you may
get more drunk than you intended. Over here, "quart" has not been
popular for a long time, not even before metric units were common.
Spirits were one of the first liquids to switch to metric even though
beer will probably be the last. Today, petrol (gasoline), spirits,
wine, fruit juice are in litres but beer and milk are still in pints.
--
Seán O'Leathlóbhair
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Say what? "A fourth of gin" would make no sense at all in the US
unless we're talking a four-handed card game, and then it would be "a
fourth AT gin". If anyone plays gin that way. In any case, if talking
about liquid measure in the States "a fifth" is commonly understood as
a fifth of a gallon, so a fourth (if anyone said or called for that,
which they would NOT) would be a quart. This is assurredly more common
(infinitely more) than "a fourth of gin". No one would misunderstand
what was meant by a quart of gin--and not many would drink it all at a
sitting, either. "A quarter of gin" wouldn't make a lot of sense,
either, unless you were sitting out part of a basketball game to play
cards. |
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