"Maths are" vs "Math is" - half a sandwich again?

SourChipmunk · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:37

In the US, I was taught that Math is Math. It isn't Maths. They aren't Math. I always assumed this was correct, however centuries of education in the UK may have been lost on Americans... again. Why do you refer to it as "Maths"? Are we doing more than one calculation per calculation? Is every formula regarded as a part of a whole? Does "2 + 2 = 4" equal many mathematic calcuations? Or is everyone just weird?

Why "Maths"?

Yes, another dumb American question.

yhack · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:39

It's short for mathematics.

SlyReaper · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:39

Because it's an abbreviation of "mathematics". Notice the presence of an s.

The Dread Pirate · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:40

"Mathematics are" Formal
"Math is" Informal

IMHO

Lysander · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:41

The abbreviation for televisions is TVs.
The abbreviation for paratroopers is paras.
The abbreviation for regulations is regs.
The abbreviation for mathematics is maths.

Simple English.

Nitefly · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:42

The same reason why I say 'look at all of those aeroplanes' rather than 'look at all of those plane'.

The Dread Pirate · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:43

Nitefly said:
The same reason why I say 'look at all of those aeroplanes' rather than 'look at all of those plane'.

ah but that begs the question are they on treadHHHHHHGGGGGGGNNNNNNN!!

SlyReaper · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:43

Of course, this raises another question. What is a mathematic? There's obviously a plural form, but what does the singular mean?

Greenlizard0 · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:43

Yeap, it should be maths. I have no idea who thought it was cool to call it math.

SlyReaper said:
Of course, this raises another question. What is a mathematic? There's obviously a plural form, but what does the singular mean?

A mathematic principle, when you study more of them you're studying mathematics.

The $6m Dan · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:44

Do you also study Physic over there?

V4NT0M · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:44

DO NOT EVER MENTION THE SANDWICH CONUNDRUM EVER AGAIN!!

The scars run deep.

Tefal · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:44

Lysander said:
Simple English.

well the Americans are known for being crap at English

Ben M · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:45

Technically it's "math's"

SourChipmunk · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:45

Oxford Dictionary said:
mathematics

• plural noun usu. treated as sing. the branch of science concerned with number, quantity, and space, either as abstract ideas (pure mathematics) or as applied to physics, engineering, and other subjects (applied mathematics).

Hmm. Plural. Yet "mathematic" isn't in there. Odd.

Makes sense, though. In a way. Kind of like calling "shorts" a "short", "knickers" a "knicker". The singular just doesn't exist.

Must love English in all forms!

edit:

Tefal said:
well the Americans are known for being crap at English

Bite me.

Nebzor · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:46

Capn' $qu!ff said:
"Mathematics are" Formal
"Math is" Informal

IMHO

It should be mathematics is and not mathematics are.

V4NT0M · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:46

Remove all doubt, use "mathematics", solved.

daven1986 · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:46

Also as it is usually treated as a singular it is "Maths is" not "Maths are".

ScarySquirrel · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:53

Capn' $qu!ff said:
ah but that begs the question are they on treadHHHHHHGGGGGGGNNNNNNN!!

That really made me laugh

Squark · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:56

Ben M said:
Technically it's "math's"

No it's not, its a pluralisation so it's maths.

SourChipmunk · 6 Apr 2009 at 15:57

daven1986 said:
Also as it is usually treated as a singular it is "Maths is" not "Maths are".

That leads to my question: Why? It doesn't fit.

Ben M said:
Technically it's "math's"

No, it's not possessive.

"Maths are" vs "Math is" - half a sandwich again?

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