Settle a dispute?

Raymond Lin said:
We are not really talking grammatically, we are talking about mathematically.

Half in maths is a number. The way it is written, By Half, is by 0.5. Like by a third is by 1/3. Or by a quarter is 1/4.

Your 2nd and 3rd sentences don't belong in this thread, it is a completely different topic.
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See what grammar you yourself are using automatically...'a' third...'a' quarter.

No-one ever says half on its own in maths without a qualifier. One half, or 'a' half are valid, 'half' by itself is not valid.

0.5 is not 'half', it is 'a half' or 'one half'.

When you say above 'by half' that is the whole problem with the question in the first place. If the question said 'by a half' it would be clear that 'a half' is 0.5. However 'by half' is not a number because 'half' by itself is not a number.

'Half' used on its own is a predeterminer, its not numerical. Its an instruction or describing word.

So for example 'half a chicken' is valid, or to say divide something 'in half', meaning divide something into two equal parts.

'Half' on its own is a describing word, not a number. So to say 'divide by half' is as nonsense as saying 'divide by all', or 'divide by both'.
 
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They could just say divide by 0.5 or divide by 2 and clear up any confusion.

it's not maths its syntax and just a trick question designed to confuse or catch out who isn't paying attention.

totally pointless and up there with "Only one in a billion humans can spot this snow leopard"

literally playing where's wally, never seen anyone over the age of about 5 not find him.
 
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danlightbulb said:
See what grammar you yourself are using automatically...'a' third...'a' quarter.

No-one ever says half on its own in maths without a qualifier. One half, or 'a' half are valid, 'half' by itself is not valid.

0.5 is not 'half', it is 'a half' or 'one half'.

When you say above 'by half' that is the whole problem with the question in the first place. If the question said 'by a half' it would be clear that 'a half' is 0.5. However 'by half' is not a number because 'half' by itself is not a number.

'Half' used on its own is a predeterminer, its not numerical. Its an instruction or describing word.

So for example 'half a chicken' is valid, or to say divide something 'in half', meaning divide something into two equal parts.

'Half' on its own is a describing word, not a number. So to say 'divide by half' is as nonsense as saying 'divide by all', or 'divide by both'.
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The key here is says BY in front of the half.

If it says In half then it would make "in half" into /2.

It however says by half, which taken as it is written, it's / 0.5

I would do the same if it had said divide by a third, which I would write 1/3 into the equation. You can and you will ask "a third of what?" But a third is 1/3.

Half is 0.5.

You take the question as it is written.
 
danlightbulb said:
look at your own language here Raymond.

'by half'.

'by A third'..


You wouldn't say 'divide by third', so why would you say 'divide by half'?

You need the 'a' in there to make it numerical.
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Because they are different, and thus written differently.

Nobody says divide by a half. why don't you ask the same question, instead of use third, replace it with "quarter."

Do you ever hear "divide by quarter"
 
I've certainly heard people say divide by half, divide by thirds and divide by quarters to mean splitting a bill into 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4

Its a made up question to play on the fact that people use the term incorrectly in modern English and hence it creates a disparity between the true English and the common usage.

You see it all the time with other words, like Northerners use was when they should use were.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Because they are different, and thus written differently.

Nobody says divide by a half. why don't you ask the same question, instead of use third, replace it with "quarter."

Do you ever hear "divide by quarter"
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Isn't that exactly my point?

People do say 'divide by A half'...in maths. And yes of course people say 'divide by a quarter' or a fifth, or a seventh. (or you can use 'one' instead i.e one quarter).

The original question isn't valid because 'half' is not a number in the sentence as written.
 
danlightbulb said:
Isn't that exactly my point?

People do say 'divide by A half'...in maths. And yes of course people say 'divide by a quarter' or a fifth, or a seventh. (or you can use 'one' instead i.e one quarter).

The original question isn't valid because 'half' is not a number in the sentence as written.
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The original question is perfectly valid as it is written, if you take it as it is written. Of course it won't be if you read it different to what it is written.

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