What Does 21/2 Represent in Mathematics?

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The expression 21/2 represents 20.5, not 21. There was initial confusion about its meaning, with one participant mistakenly considering it as 21. The correct interpretation is that 21/2 can also be understood as 2^0.5, which equals the square root of 2. The discussion highlights the importance of clarity in mathematical expressions. Overall, the consensus confirms that 21/2 equals 20.5.
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Hi,

This is no doubt a real simple question

does 21/2 mean 20.5 or 21

Thanks in advance

Mike
 
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mikedamike said:
Hi,

This is no doubt a real simple question

does 21/2 mean 20.5 or 21

Thanks in advance

Mike

It means 20.5 or √2

Why would it mean 21 ?
 
Sorry, i was 99.99% sure it was 2^0.5 but it was one of those questions you ask when your brain gets wound up from learning a new equation and then you take a step back and its blindingly obvious. Thanks for reply though.
 
1 is NOT the same as 1/2!
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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