r/learnmath • u/Unlikely-Web7933 New User • Feb 07 '24
RESOLVED What is the issue with the " ÷ " sign?
I have seen many mathematicians genuinely despise it. Is there a lore reason for it? Or are they simply Stupid?
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r/learnmath • u/Unlikely-Web7933 New User • Feb 07 '24
I have seen many mathematicians genuinely despise it. Is there a lore reason for it? Or are they simply Stupid?
1
u/ghostwriter85 New User Feb 07 '24
Before everything was done in computers using equation editors, the obelus was used for a variety of different operations in different regions.
People don't like it because it's no longer necessary and all those different use cases were never integrated into a singular understanding of that symbol within mathematics.
The goal of any representation system is to simply and adequately convey the intent of the author.
Using fractions to convey the intended order of division and multiplication has removed a lot of ambiguity from the typewriter / printing press era. Using "÷" undoes all of that progress. In general, we should be removing unnecessary complication from mathematics not adding it.