0
Vollrath Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Plural Usage with Math Variables.
Here is my question: is it proper to pluralize nouns in a general question when it applies to several equations listed below (in a math textbook)?
Example:
1. Find the value of x in each of the following (10) equations.
2. Find the values of x in each of the following (10) equations.
Likewise, when an equation only has one answer, but there are many exercises covered by a single question would it be
1. Find the values of each of the following.
or
2. Find the value of each of the following.
Here there would be 5-10 exercises that follow, with only one possible answer (i.e. only one 'value' per question).
Best,
Vollrath
Example:
1. Find the value of x in each of the following (10) equations.
2. Find the values of x in each of the following (10) equations.
Likewise, when an equation only has one answer, but there are many exercises covered by a single question would it be
1. Find the values of each of the following.
or
2. Find the value of each of the following.
Here there would be 5-10 exercises that follow, with only one possible answer (i.e. only one 'value' per question).
Best,
Vollrath
Top answer
" Ratio? Ratios? Distance?
- " Ratio?
- Ratios?
- Distance?
- Distances?
- Thanks in advance, V
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
9 Answers
0
Followup:
"Dad, is it true that people have discovered the ratio of the distances to the sun and moon?"
Ratio? Ratios? Distance? Distances?
Thanks in advance,
V
"Dad, is it true that people have discovered the ratio of the distances to the sun and moon?"
Ratio? Ratios? Distance? Distances?
Thanks in advance,
V
00
Yet again (sorry):
1. What are the weights of x and y, respectively?
2. What is the weight of x and y, respectively?
1. What is the length of x, y, and z?
2. What are the lengths of x, y, and z?
To me the first number 1 and second number 2 mean that there is more than one wieght and more than one length PER object? I've been translating and editing too
1. What are the weights of x and y, respectively?
2. What is the weight of x and y, respectively?
1. What is the length of x, y, and z?
2. What are the lengths of x, y, and z?
To me the first number 1 and second number 2 mean that there is more than one wieght and more than one length PER object? I've been translating and editing too
00
VollrathFollowup:one ratio of two lengths
"Dad, is it true that people have discovered the ratio of the distances to the sun and moon?"
Ratio? Ratios? Distance? Distances?
Thanks in advance,
V
00
1. Find the value of x in each of the following (10) equations.
each one (of the ten) has one value
2. Find the values of x in each of the following (10) equations.
two or more values of x in each equation
each one (of the ten) has one value
2. Find the values of x in each of the following (10) equations.
two or more values of x in each equation
00
1. What are the weights of x and y, respectively? OK
2. What is the weight of x and (and what is the weight of) y, respectively? OK
1. What is the length of x, y, and z? OK, by the same token as 2. above
2. What are the lengths of x, y, and z? OK
2. What is the weight of x and (and what is the weight of) y, respectively? OK
1. What is the length of x, y, and z? OK, by the same token as 2. above
2. What are the lengths of x, y, and z? OK
00
How about this:
"Find the values of x and y in the following triangles."
Does the above sentence also mean that each of x and y have more than one value?
"Find the values of x and y in the following triangles."
Does the above sentence also mean that each of x and y have more than one value?
00
0
maya2: not sure I follow your last answer. Can you give reasons?
The thing is x and y HAVE only one value (there is only one answer each) but I'm wondering how to word all these questions to make it impossible that it would seem otherwise.
The thing is x and y HAVE only one value (there is only one answer each) but I'm wondering how to word all these questions to make it impossible that it would seem otherwise.
00
Related Questions