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-   -   Math or Maths (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/math-maths-778972/)

jimf Nov 27th 2012 10:36 am
Math or Maths
 
So which is "correct".............?

Alan2005 Nov 27th 2012 10:45 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Maths. And I should know, I've got a richard in it.

jimmydean Nov 27th 2012 10:47 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'

I use Maths ....


There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics” can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject” and not “mathematics are my best subject”. The shortened form “maths”, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s” on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math” makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic” from the middle of the word and leave the final “s”.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math” rather than “maths”. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.

Greenhill Nov 27th 2012 10:55 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Do the math :sneaky:

Originally Posted by jimf (Post 10404558)
So which is "correct".............?

Novocastrian Nov 27th 2012 10:57 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by jimmydean (Post 10404585)
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'

I use Maths ....


There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics” can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject” and not “mathematics are my best subject”. The shortened form “maths”, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s” on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math” makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic” from the middle of the word and leave the final “s”.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math” rather than “maths”. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
Bugger that. The vernacular in the UK is maths, in Canada/US it's math.

And I worked that out with a pencil.

Zoe Bell Nov 27th 2012 10:58 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
After nearly 4 years of working in a school , I will admit that I have moved over to the dark side and now say "math"

Greenhill Nov 27th 2012 11:04 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
If I appear busy, I'm doing math. If I am busy, I'm doing mathematics.

Oink Nov 27th 2012 11:15 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
I always just said 'doing sums'.

Auld Yin Nov 27th 2012 11:30 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
WTF cares?

bats Nov 27th 2012 11:31 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10404612)
Bugger that. The vernacular in the UK is maths, in Canada/US it's math.

And I worked that out with a pencil.
Said the constipated mathematician

bats Nov 27th 2012 11:33 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by jimmydean (Post 10404585)
Shamelessly pinched from 'Daily Writing Tips'

I use Maths ....


There are logical arguments for both spellings. The word “mathematics” can be considered as a singular and as a plural noun. Both the Oxford and the Merriam-Webster dictionaries say the word is plural – hence the s on the end – but also that it is usually used as if it was a singular noun. So, most people would say “mathematics is my best subject” and not “mathematics are my best subject”. The shortened form “maths”, then, makes sense because the word is still a plural noun and so should still have the “s” on the end. On the other hand, it could be argued, “math” makes sense because it seems wrong to remove the letters “ematic” from the middle of the word and leave the final “s”.
There are a number of other plural nouns that are used as if they were singular – for example economics, ethics, politics, gymnastics, measles and dominoes. These words, however, are not habitually shortened, making math/maths rather an unusual word.
It’s sometimes surprising how much argument and disagreement small differences such as that single letter can make. Readers in the UK, for example, sometimes get very upset if someone writes “math” rather than “maths”. No doubt the reverse is true in the US. In practice, it’s simply worth being aware of the geographical differences so that you can use the correct form of the word in your writing.
Gymnastics is habitually shortened to gym. One never did gyms at school, always gym. One never did Jim at school either.

Oink Nov 27th 2012 11:36 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
It's like when they don't use a definite article when referring to sports competitions. For example, "Canada didn't make World Cup again."

bats Nov 27th 2012 11:43 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Oink (Post 10404681)
It's like when they don't use a definite article when referring to sports competitions. For example, "Canada didn't make World Cup again."

Don't get me started on "impact".

ann m Nov 27th 2012 11:58 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10404612)
And I worked that out with a pencil.
Can you show your workings in the margin please?

Extra points.

Zoe Bell Nov 27th 2012 12:18 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by bats (Post 10404676)
Gymnastics is habitually shortened to gym. One never did gyms at school, always gym. One never did Jim at school either.
That's not what Jim said !:p

Danny B Nov 27th 2012 12:49 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 10404671)
WTF cares?
UK Maths teachers moving to N.America

Tangram Nov 27th 2012 12:52 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
As it's a shortened version of mathematics I would say maths would be correct if maths is a recognised word (I have not checked)

Novocastrian Nov 27th 2012 1:14 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by bats (Post 10404672)
Said the constipated mathematician
Oh, I'm disappointed that you of all people would restate the obvious.

Go to the back of the class.

Novocastrian Nov 27th 2012 1:14 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Auld Yin (Post 10404671)
WTF cares?
Quite.

comet555 Nov 27th 2012 2:44 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
As a former math teacher (born and raised in Canada) I think it's safe to say that in Canada it's always Math or Mathematics, never "maths".

I'd never even heard people use the term "maths" until I moved to Australia, always thought it was odd. It does make sense but it's just not what I grew up with.

Atlantic Xpat Nov 27th 2012 11:15 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Math is the new Maths.

cheeky_monkey Nov 28th 2012 12:32 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
is the term for people who use the word 'math' wanker or wankers:confused:

bats Nov 28th 2012 12:44 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10404831)
Oh, I'm disappointed that you of all people would restate the obvious.

Go to the back of the class.
I couldn't help myself, it was an urge.

Greenhill Nov 28th 2012 1:00 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
That had me laughing. Then I realised you've probably seen all manner of things that people have stuck up their bums, on your xray machine :eek:

Originally Posted by bats (Post 10404672)
Said the constipated mathematician

bats Nov 28th 2012 2:22 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Greenhill (Post 10405724)
That had me laughing. Then I realised you've probably seen all manner of things that people have stuck up their bums, on your xray machine :eek:
oh yes, but not for a long time. No longer acceptable to x-ray them just for the laugh ;)

ultrarunner Nov 28th 2012 5:11 am
Re: Math or Maths
 
Simple really...ask yourself this, is the subject called Mathematic or Mathematics? Work out the abbreviated form from there on

Originally Posted by jimf (Post 10404558)
So which is "correct".............?

rwin Nov 28th 2012 12:16 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
I think it's tomato.

Novocastrian Nov 28th 2012 1:31 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by rwin (Post 10406715)
I think it's tomato.
Or potatoe.

(according to that VP of the USA whose name I've thankfully forgotten).

bats Nov 28th 2012 2:01 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 10406779)
Or potatoe.

(according to that VP of the USA whose name I've thankfully forgotten).
Whojamaflip, Dan Whojamaflip.

umpalumpa Nov 28th 2012 2:10 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
When people say do the math it drives me mad :eek: my wife the original umpalumpa now works in a school and now says math so i have to remind her of the Queens English!

Novocastrian Nov 28th 2012 2:40 pm
Re: Math or Maths
 
Originally Posted by umpalumpa (Post 10406827)
When people say do the math it drives me mad :eek: my wife the original umpalumpa now works in a school and now says math so i have to remind her of the Queens English!
Originally Posted by bats (Post 10406816)
Whojamaflip, Dan Whojamaflip.
And there it is.


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