Minuend Definition: How Did They Choose the Example Values?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice of example values used in the dictionary definition of the term "minuend," specifically the equation 50 - 34 = 16. Participants explore how these particular numbers were selected, questioning whether the choice was arbitrary, based on statistical analysis, or influenced by other factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the randomness or intentionality behind the selection of the numbers 50 and 34 in the definition, suggesting various possibilities for their choice.
  • Another participant notes the mathematical properties of the result (16) and the minuend (50), proposing that these properties could influence the depth of understanding for readers.
  • A different participant challenges the use of the term 'numerous' in describing the frequency of the example across dictionaries, indicating a lack of clarity in the claim and providing their own limited survey of dictionary examples.
  • One participant highlights a creative example from a specific dictionary, contrasting it with the more common example of 50 - 34 = 16.
  • Another participant corrects a previous post by stating that 50 - 16 = 34 is not an equation but an equality, emphasizing the context of base 10.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the chosen numbers and the clarity of terms used in the discussion. There is no consensus on how the example values were selected or their implications.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and terminology used, such as the distinction between equations and equalities, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

bomba923
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The dictionary definition of minuend,
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=minuend

includes the equation [tex]50 - 34 = 16[/tex]

:bugeye: How do they decide which equation to put in there? I mean, the values of 50 and 34, did someone just randomly think of two numbers ?
Did they use a statistical process, (for example, looking at the list of random numbers) to determine which values to place in as an example?

For something as important as a formal dictionary definition, how do they choose which values to use as an example? I mean, numerous English dictionaries display this EXACT equation! How, for something as significant and encompassing as a formal definition, did they come up with these values? A guy's random guess, an intensive statistical process, or...etc...
How did they decide on exactly these values?
 
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Note that 16 is both a square and a fourth power, whereas 50 is EXACTLY one half of an extremely important square number!
But 34 is nothing of the kind!
Hence, vast philosophical panoramas open up by this exact equation, which no other equation could do equally well.
Thus, the definition of the minuend might be expected to lodge itself deeper in the subconscious of the reader.
 
'numerous' is such a vague term. Do you mean many dictionaries use this example or do you mean that two is a great number? (personally, I think 42 is a great number). Or were you just confused by the latin translation of minuend, "numerus minuendus" (number to be diminished)?

Admittedly, I only did a quick sample of about 25 on-line dictionaries, but only 4 had examples at all and only two used the example you noted.

I felt the "Math is Spoken Here" dictionary picked a particularly creative example: (4x - 3) - (-2x +1) = 6x - 4.

Dang, not only can you find a "Math is Spoken Here" dictionary, but you can also find a http://members.aol.com/dcurry4000/math.htm webpage (but isn't that recon's avatar?).

Edit: My fingers were inserting random 'e's - must be a subconscious fascination.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
BobG said:
... you can also find a http://members.aol.com/dcurry4000/math.htm webpage (but isn't that recon's avatar?).
Heh! Cute web page! :smile:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
And one more thing

[tex]50-16=34[/tex] is not an equation.It's an equality.It's not an identity,since it's valid only in the base 10...

Daniel.
 
Hey, dexter, how did you change your signature? I thought altering your signature destroys it.
 
BicycleTree said:
Hey, dexter, how did you change your signature? I thought altering your signature destroys it.
Altering your avatar if you have one from before the last upgrade removes it. I think the signature is manual?
 
BicycleTree said:
Hey, dexter, how did you change your signature? I thought altering your signature destroys it.

Hehe,i wouldn't call that altering,but improving.Seneca quoted in original sounds a zillion times better than Heisenberg translated... :approve:

Yes,manually... :-p

Daniel.
 

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