Questions about the world of GRE Math from other sources and general math related questions.
kwame.appau
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the wording for math terms

by kwame.appau Thu Aug 14, 2014 11:43 am

Good day!
If X= Y+3, I understand that the expression will be " X is 3 more than Y"
How do we interpret these terms? (I) X= Y+ (1/3)Y. (II) X = Y+3Y
what is the difference between the expressions between the two examples above. Thanks
tommywallach
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Re: the wording for math terms

by tommywallach Sun Aug 17, 2014 3:24 pm

Hey Kwame,

There are an infinitude of ways to express a mathematical equation in English. It's only THE OTHER WAY that has one answer (i.e. a given set of English words can only be translated into MATH in one way).

For example:

(I) X= Y+ (1/3)Y.

This could be interpreted (technically) as: X is 133% of Y or X is equal to Y combined with 1/3 of itself. Or a million other ways. So don't try to find a way to word algebra in English. Only focus on making sure you know how to translate English into algebra.

-t
kwame.appau
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Re: the wording for math terms

by kwame.appau Sun Aug 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Thanks a lot Tommy. I solve a question which says " X is 1/3 larger than y". I got the answer wrong because I translated it as
> X= Y + 1/3
but the solution to the answer translated the above expression as
> X= Y + (1/3)Y.
So I was confuse if I didn't comprehend the expression or the expression is not framed well.
So Tommy do you think my translation is wrong or the explanation by the solution is correct? Thanks
tommywallach
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Re: the wording for math terms

by tommywallach Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:40 pm

Hey Kwame,

The question is correct. The word "larger" does not mean addition in this usage. It is clearer with percents:

X is 20% larger than Y --> x = 1.2y

X is 1/5th larger than Y --> x = 1.2y

See? We don't use "larger" for addition with fractions/percents in this way.

Hope that helps!

-t
kwame.appau
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Re: the wording for math terms

by kwame.appau Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:13 am

Now I know.Thanks a lot.
asishkm
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Re: the wording for math terms

by asishkm Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:13 am

I would say

X is 1/3 larger than Y --> x = y + (1/3)
X is 1/3rd larger than Y --> x = y + (1/3)y

Feel free to comment.
kwame.appau
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Re: the wording for math terms

by kwame.appau Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:54 pm

That great asishkm!
However, from the conclusion made by Tommy "...We don't use "larger" for addition with fractions/percents in this way", will contradict your explanation. Because I do understand now that 1/3 and 1/3rd will be used in the same sense.
>1/3 larger will be X=Y +(1/3)Y
>Similarly, 1/3rd larger will be X=Y +(1/3)Y.
This is how I understand it so if you have further explanation to your point I would be glad to read it.
tommywallach
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Re: the wording for math terms

by tommywallach Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:27 pm

Yeah, you can't say 1/3rd.

1/3 = one-third

So to write 1/3rd would be to write one-thirdrd.

: )

-t