Mathematical uses of the preposition of

  • Thread starter Thread starter SkyWatcher
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mathematical
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the various mathematical uses of the preposition "of," with a focus on its significance in conveying mathematical concepts. The initial inquiry seeks articles or outlines detailing how "of" is utilized in mathematics, particularly emphasizing its role in expressions like "1/2 of 12," where it signifies multiplication. Participants suggest that understanding the specific applications of "of" can enhance comprehension of mathematical language and its underlying principles. They propose that mathematicians selectively use certain meanings of "of" to convey relationships and functions, such as cause and effect, counterparts, and mathematical operations. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper exploration of this topic, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of how language shapes mathematical thought. Additionally, references to existing literature on the subject are provided, although they vary in relevance to the original query.
SkyWatcher
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Mathematical uses of the preposition "of"

Dear Professors,

I am looking for any articles on the uses of the preposition "of" in mathematics. I once read in a teacher's edition of a pre-algebra textbook that suggested students should be taught, as early as possible, the many uses of the preposition "of" in mathematics, but I have been unable to find anything on this particular question/topic. Could anyone please try to help me find something? Or better still could anyone give me an outline of these uses?

Yours respectfully, Rob
 
Science news on Phys.org


I'm not sure 'the uses of the preposition "of" in mathematics' is worthy of an entire article, but who knows?

Aside from the ordinary meaning to indicate membership, the only sense of "of" I can think of that might be interesting here is when it means "multiplied by," when we're talking about a fractional part of something; e.g., "1/2 of 12."
 


"Of" is a preposition and its meaning depends on the conventions for the human language which applies it. In English, "of" will often mean "multiplication", but the reader or writer needs to understand the worded description of the exercise or problem description to be able to properly understand what "of" means. Nine eggs of a packaged dozen, would mean possibly, 9 divided by 12, therefore, meaning three fourths, or 75% or nine twelfths. Seventy five percent of twelve would mean (3/4) multiplied by 12, and therefore mean 9.
 


To whom it may concern,

May I suggest the topic of this thread be modified to better convey my intent:

Uses of "of" applied most often in math and why?

In my humble opinion, the answer to why mathematicians apply certain uses of "of" more often
can give us a much deeper understanding into the nature of the art.
 


May I suggest the topic of this thread be modified to better convey my intent:

Uses of "of" applied most often in math and why?

In my humble opinion, the answer to why mathematicians apply certain uses of "of" more often
can give us a much deeper understanding into the nature of the art.

#1) the cause, effect, origin, reason, result of;

#2) the correlative, counterpart, match, opposite, original of;

#3) a copy, derivative, image, likeness of;

#4) the square, cube, logarithm, tangent, differential, or other mathematical function of.
 


Please note: I am NOT saying that the preposition "of" has a "unique-mathematical-meaning" when used by mathematicians. What I am intending to convey is that of all the general usages that can be found at dictionary.com for "of", mathematicians CHOOSE to use a limited subset of them i.e. examining the usages of "of" applied most often in math and asking WHY did they choose this specific subset? Is, in my opinion, a question worth trying to answer because it will provide us with a valuable insight into the nature of the art.


If on the other hand you find it useless that I am trying to explain to others the beauty of mathematics through its choice of vocabulary and why that choice was made as demonstrated by any future comments about counting occurrences of "of" in mathematical writing, being unduly obsessed, or even categorizing what I am trying to do as the subject of a "crank."

May I describe mathematics as the art of creating images and establishing relationships, is it not so that the "material" of this activity are thoughts? And since words convey those thoughts we must "measure" our choice of words carefully for the sake of lucidity.

The sheer number of occurrences of "of" in academic writing and in mathematical writing in particular, justifies, in my opinion, at least an honest attempt at "looking for any articles on the uses of the preposition "of"...I have been unable to find anything on this particular question/topic. Could you please help me find something?"

PLEASE NOTE THE BOTTOM LINE OF THIS THREAD IS A REFERENCE-REQUEST

Yours respectfully.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Last edited:
Back
Top