• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Math in Japanese

DrPizza

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Is anyone familiar with math in Japanese?

I have an exchange student in a couple of my classes. He came to me with a question today - couldn't do a single problem on a math worksheet I passed out for homework. The worksheet was review, to see if there were areas where any students needed help. He didn't understand a single thing on the worksheet.

For example, one of the problems was "solve for f. 1/f = 12"
There were a few trig problems, etc - the level of math necessary to be successful in physics. He recognized nothing, (but can speak English fairly well.)

So, are the symbols used, etc., drastically different for mathematics in Japanese? Anyone know of any translation types of resources for mathematics?


_____________________

Update: it was a very simple misunderstanding.
 
Last edited:
I am not, but I would suggest maybe have him write out an equation or two that you describe to him. So you can see what it would look like if he wrote it out, and what is different from what you wrote.
 
Paul98 said:
I am not, but I would suggest maybe have him write out an equation or two that you describe to him. So you can see what it would look like if he wrote it out, and what is different from what you wrote.
Click to expand...

Brilliant! I'll give this a shot in the morning.
 
4683028_700b.jpg
 
DrP, I think he did not understand what you were asking him in English. You said he can speak fairly well but what about reading and comprehension in English? A lot of people can speak well but not great when they have to read and try to understand.


Math is very much universal. Maybe ask him to use Google translate? Not great but a good start.

Or maybe he was just playing dumb because he stayed up too late to watch tentalce/hentai porn? 😀
 
DrPizza said:
Is anyone familiar with math in Japanese?

I have an exchange student in a couple of my classes. He came to me with a question today - couldn't do a single problem on a math worksheet I passed out for homework. The worksheet was review, to see if there were areas where any students needed help. He didn't understand a single thing on the worksheet.

For example, one of the problems was "solve for f. 1/f = 12"
There were a few trig problems, etc - the level of math necessary to be successful in physics. He recognized nothing, (but can speak English fairly well.)

So, are the symbols used, etc., drastically different for mathematics in Japanese? Anyone know of any translation types of resources for mathematics?
Click to expand...

Math is math. They just explain it differently. Show him how they do it in the States and ask him to show how they do it in Nippon. Bam, you'll both have learned something new.
 
Svnla said:
DrP, I think he did not understand what you were asking him in English. You said he can speak fairly well but what about reading and comprehension in English? A lot of people can speak well but not great when they have to read and try to understand.
Click to expand...

Well, math is composed of symbols, not grammar, so I don't think it's a reading thing.

Or maybe he was just playing dumb because he stayed up too late to watch tentalce/hentai porn? 😀
Click to expand...

Das racist.
 
I got in trouble in school because I didn't write out my long division, I just did it in my head. That was the case with a lot of my classes.
 
Maybe he just doesn't understand what you mean by "Solve for f". He might have better luck if you wrote the question:

1/f = 12 => f = ?
 
I'd talk to the kid, ask him to write out some common formula, see if it's so different.

1/f = 12 is pretty universal I don't know how you can not understand that, unless they don't use backslashes in japanese.
 
I'd talk to the kid, ask him to write out some common formula, see if it's so different.

1/f = 12 is pretty universal I don't know how you can not understand that, unless they don't use backslashes in japanese.

EDIT: found this page:
http://www.sljfaq.org/afaq/maths.html
maybe he just doesn't understand the symbols.
 
Last edited:
Interesting how that link writes out 5Y and 14X early on, but then says "yon x" instead of "4X" ("yon" being four).
 
f=1/x
x=0
f=?

A)BSOD
B)Leibnitz
C)Newton
D)IDONTCARE
E)All of the above
F)All of the above and all of the below
G)None of the above
H)Some of the above
I)YEAH! MAGNETS BITCH! + BSOD
J)∞
K) Who kicked the 8 over?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top