Hacker News Reader

Now try reading your second equation out loud

Now try converting the equation into interpretive dance.

What's your actual point?

And?

> X times open parenthesis ten minus X close parenthesis equals twenty one

I'm not sure if your point is supposed to be that it's easier to understand if read another way or something, but no matter what the symbol version is the easiest for your brain (which is very good at pattern recognition) to see and pick up on.

Maybe I missed your point, so you'll have to be explicit.

By the way, I didn't contrive the example. I googled "before math notation" and chose it from the second result[1]. I had seen similar examples of what math looked like before notation, so I looked for an example.

[1] http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2014/06...

Have you ever heard of the expression "comparing apples and oranges"?

Yes, I have. I'd ask some clarification and respond to what I think your point is, but I see you're too clever to get to the point, so I'll move on.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com