Dear Editor,
I would like to have some clarification regarding the
nomenclature used in Denise Apuzzo column on Thursday, March
24.
Dear Editor,
I would like to have some clarification regarding the nomenclature used in Denise Apuzzo column on Thursday, March 24.
She stated in her column: “If you are a sixth grader given the problem “8” = n” and you answer 64 you earn only 1 out of a possible 3 points. If you write “8 x 2” on your paper you will get the same credit as the student who actually answers the question. The only completely correct answer in MARS math is “8” = n; 8 x 8 = n; 64 = n”.” I would have missed the answer too.
To me “8” is just eight and nothing else, I have never seen the notation “8” to mean 8 squared or 8 x 8. Also when is 8 X 2 is the same as 8×8. I would like to know if the current sixth grade notation for 8 x 8 or 8X2 is “8.”
Kai Lai, Gilroy
Editor’s note: Our apologies. In a typesetting snafu, the squared symbol dropped off the page. It should have read 8 squared = n.
