How to communicate $frac52$ to other people orally? [closed] Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)How is “Hessian” pronounced?How do you pronounce x' and x''?How do you pronounce $Sigma^+$ or $Sigma^dagger$ (as used in Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse)?How do you pronounce $hatn$?How does one read $barA$ aloud in Russian?How to pronounce “$ a:b=c:d$” in English?Adding fractions of Groups of PeopleHow do you pronounce the expression $(i|i)$?How do you pronounce $fracdydx$?How to pronounce of $0^+$ and $0^-$?
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How to communicate $frac52$ to other people orally? [closed]
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)How is “Hessian” pronounced?How do you pronounce x' and x''?How do you pronounce $Sigma^+$ or $Sigma^dagger$ (as used in Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse)?How do you pronounce $hatn$?How does one read $barA$ aloud in Russian?How to pronounce “$ a:b=c:d$” in English?Adding fractions of Groups of PeopleHow do you pronounce the expression $(i|i)$?How do you pronounce $fracdydx$?How to pronounce of $0^+$ and $0^-$?
$begingroup$
The term one third is unambiguously understood as $frac 13$. Likewise, the term two fifths is unambiguously understood as $frac 25$ and three sixths is understood as $frac 36$.
But what exactly should be communicated to be understood as $frac 52$?
It feels odd to pronounce it as five halves, although I'm not sure whether this is because it's wrong or because it's just rarely used. Is this the most accepted way to pronounce it, or is there another?
fractions pronunciation
$endgroup$
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, Eevee Trainer, Parcly Taxel, dantopa Mar 28 at 2:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is not about mathematics, within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, dantopa
|
show 5 more comments
$begingroup$
The term one third is unambiguously understood as $frac 13$. Likewise, the term two fifths is unambiguously understood as $frac 25$ and three sixths is understood as $frac 36$.
But what exactly should be communicated to be understood as $frac 52$?
It feels odd to pronounce it as five halves, although I'm not sure whether this is because it's wrong or because it's just rarely used. Is this the most accepted way to pronounce it, or is there another?
fractions pronunciation
$endgroup$
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, Eevee Trainer, Parcly Taxel, dantopa Mar 28 at 2:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is not about mathematics, within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, dantopa
5
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
2
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
2
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
2
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48
|
show 5 more comments
$begingroup$
The term one third is unambiguously understood as $frac 13$. Likewise, the term two fifths is unambiguously understood as $frac 25$ and three sixths is understood as $frac 36$.
But what exactly should be communicated to be understood as $frac 52$?
It feels odd to pronounce it as five halves, although I'm not sure whether this is because it's wrong or because it's just rarely used. Is this the most accepted way to pronounce it, or is there another?
fractions pronunciation
$endgroup$
The term one third is unambiguously understood as $frac 13$. Likewise, the term two fifths is unambiguously understood as $frac 25$ and three sixths is understood as $frac 36$.
But what exactly should be communicated to be understood as $frac 52$?
It feels odd to pronounce it as five halves, although I'm not sure whether this is because it's wrong or because it's just rarely used. Is this the most accepted way to pronounce it, or is there another?
fractions pronunciation
fractions pronunciation
edited Mar 28 at 6:48
community wiki
7 revs, 3 users 56%
Hashim
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, Eevee Trainer, Parcly Taxel, dantopa Mar 28 at 2:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is not about mathematics, within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, dantopa
closed as off-topic by Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, Eevee Trainer, Parcly Taxel, dantopa Mar 28 at 2:21
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is not about mathematics, within the scope defined in the help center." – Andrés E. Caicedo, Cesareo, dantopa
5
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
2
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
2
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
2
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48
|
show 5 more comments
5
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
2
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
2
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
2
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48
5
5
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
2
2
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
2
2
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
2
2
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48
|
show 5 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I would say "five halves".
A few more characters.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that "five halves" sounds odd because it is unlikely in a non-mathematical context. "I have two thirds of a cake" is plausible but I don't think that "I have five halves of a cake" is, "I have two and a half cakes" is much more plausible. Even if you had five half cakes (cut three into two and then eat one piece),"five half cakes" would be more likely.
In maths, or some other technical context, I would say "five over two".
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In my opinion, the way you pronounce 2/5 will affect how you are understood, and is therefore context dependent.
If you say "two and a half" then it sounds like you have this:
If you say "five halves" then it sounds like you have this:
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In India it is pronounced as "five by two" or "five divided by two"
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I would say "five halves".
A few more characters.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would say "five halves".
A few more characters.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I would say "five halves".
A few more characters.
$endgroup$
I would say "five halves".
A few more characters.
answered Mar 27 at 6:56
community wiki
marty cohen
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
In a general context it's very strange. I mean 5 halves of apples would be fine, but generally when not having something physically splittable does not make much sense.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Mar 27 at 9:11
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@Overmind If you're in a context where the objects you're looking at aren't splittable, why would you be talking about $5over 2$ of them?
$endgroup$
– Noah Schweber
Mar 28 at 15:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that "five halves" sounds odd because it is unlikely in a non-mathematical context. "I have two thirds of a cake" is plausible but I don't think that "I have five halves of a cake" is, "I have two and a half cakes" is much more plausible. Even if you had five half cakes (cut three into two and then eat one piece),"five half cakes" would be more likely.
In maths, or some other technical context, I would say "five over two".
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that "five halves" sounds odd because it is unlikely in a non-mathematical context. "I have two thirds of a cake" is plausible but I don't think that "I have five halves of a cake" is, "I have two and a half cakes" is much more plausible. Even if you had five half cakes (cut three into two and then eat one piece),"five half cakes" would be more likely.
In maths, or some other technical context, I would say "five over two".
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that "five halves" sounds odd because it is unlikely in a non-mathematical context. "I have two thirds of a cake" is plausible but I don't think that "I have five halves of a cake" is, "I have two and a half cakes" is much more plausible. Even if you had five half cakes (cut three into two and then eat one piece),"five half cakes" would be more likely.
In maths, or some other technical context, I would say "five over two".
$endgroup$
I think that "five halves" sounds odd because it is unlikely in a non-mathematical context. "I have two thirds of a cake" is plausible but I don't think that "I have five halves of a cake" is, "I have two and a half cakes" is much more plausible. Even if you had five half cakes (cut three into two and then eat one piece),"five half cakes" would be more likely.
In maths, or some other technical context, I would say "five over two".
answered Mar 27 at 7:18
community wiki
badjohn
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In my opinion, the way you pronounce 2/5 will affect how you are understood, and is therefore context dependent.
If you say "two and a half" then it sounds like you have this:
If you say "five halves" then it sounds like you have this:
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In my opinion, the way you pronounce 2/5 will affect how you are understood, and is therefore context dependent.
If you say "two and a half" then it sounds like you have this:
If you say "five halves" then it sounds like you have this:
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In my opinion, the way you pronounce 2/5 will affect how you are understood, and is therefore context dependent.
If you say "two and a half" then it sounds like you have this:
If you say "five halves" then it sounds like you have this:
$endgroup$
In my opinion, the way you pronounce 2/5 will affect how you are understood, and is therefore context dependent.
If you say "two and a half" then it sounds like you have this:
If you say "five halves" then it sounds like you have this:
answered Mar 27 at 9:42
community wiki
dotancohen
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
2
2
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
Your images have made me hungry!
$endgroup$
– John Omielan
Mar 27 at 20:56
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
$begingroup$
How will that work for something like ...skill / score points ?
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 8 at 8:28
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In India it is pronounced as "five by two" or "five divided by two"
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In India it is pronounced as "five by two" or "five divided by two"
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In India it is pronounced as "five by two" or "five divided by two"
$endgroup$
In India it is pronounced as "five by two" or "five divided by two"
edited Mar 27 at 11:37
community wiki
2 revs
saket kumar
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
$begingroup$
Fine in the UK as well in a technical context. However, probably not in natural, non-technical speech.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:26
4
4
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
Can't "five by two" be understood as 5*2 instead of 5/2?
$endgroup$
– Pere
Mar 27 at 8:45
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
$begingroup$
It's a danger. Spoken formulae can be ambiguous. The speaker's intonation may help otherwise you may have to guess or ask. "Five by two" is a common phrasing when discussing wood or image sizes. In both cases, $5 / 2$ and $ 5 times 2$ would have a useful meaning.
$endgroup$
– badjohn
Mar 27 at 8:57
add a comment |
5
$begingroup$
"five over two"?
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Mar 27 at 6:56
$begingroup$
@LordSharktheUnknown That's a workaround, but for the sake of consistency, and curiosity, I'm wondering if there's a natural language equivalent like there is with the other examples.
$endgroup$
– Hashim
Mar 27 at 6:58
2
$begingroup$
The question is how do you pronounce 5/2, and the answer is that it is the way that you pronounce 5/2. However way it might be, it is the way that you pronounce it simply by the very subjective nature of the question. Unless it's a riddle in which case...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Karagila♦
Mar 27 at 9:56
2
$begingroup$
There is nothing at all wrong with "five halves". It is quite common.
$endgroup$
– Bill Dubuque
Mar 27 at 21:56
2
$begingroup$
I've edited the question to bring it on topic for math.SE, as it is a good question that has implications for effective communication.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
Mar 28 at 6:48