I hate people who talk about math after taking NO higher level classes

I recently measured the distance of the path I walk my dog on, and Google Earth gave me an answer of 1.1111... miles. I know this is 10/9, so I mentioned to someone that it is 10/9 of a mile long. They then proceed to tell me, "You're an idiot, you have to simplify that to 1 and 1/9, your final answer can't be an improper fraction." This blew my mind...in any math class from precalc forward, mixed numbers are frowned upon. Improper fractions are superior in every way. They take what they learn in like fifth grade about simplifying improper fractions and proceed to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. The ONLY time I use mixed numbers is for measuring something on the scale of inches, because that's how rulers are set up. Other than that, improper fractions are always better in my opinion, and they're primarily what I use. I don't know if it's because of it being hammered into my head in calculus classes or because I don't like wasting time converting to a less useful form, but I think mixed numbers are a waste of time 99% of the time.

What do you think? Do you use improper fractions or mixed numbers, and why?

I recently measured the distance of the path I walk my dog on, and Google Earth gave me an answer of 1.1111... miles. I know this is 10/9, so I mentioned to someone that it is 10/9 of a mile long. They then proceed to tell me, "You're an idiot, you have to simplify that to 1 and 1/9, your final answer can't be an improper fraction." This blew my mind...in any math class from precalc forward, mixed numbers are frowned upon. Improper fractions are superior in every way. They take what they learn in like fifth grade about simplifying improper fractions and proceed to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. The ONLY time I use mixed numbers is for measuring something on the scale of inches, because that's how rulers are set up. Other than that, improper fractions are always better in my opinion, and they're primarily what I use. I don't know if it's because of it being hammered into my head in calculus classes or because I don't like wasting time converting to a less useful form, but I think mixed numbers are a waste of time 99% of the time.

What do you think? Do you use improper fractions or mixed numbers, and why?

DieDummsteMann

seriously you complaining about this makes me sad

I break out the floor function and be done with it.

Well we dont use miles or inches, so ummmm...

seriously you complaining about this makes me sad

sonofsmeagle

This.

err

When you're talking about distances, it's just common sense that you say 2 1/2 miles instead of 5/2 miles. The only time you'd use improper fractions is when you're working on an equation and it would be silly to keep converting improper fractions to mixed numbers when it's just an intermediate step anyway, and in that situation improper fractions are easier to deal with. You'd still express the final answer as a mixed number anyway. Giving an improper fraction would be considered incomplete.

I hate people who say math.

I recently measured the distance of the path I walk my dog on, and Google Earth gave me an answer of 1.1111... miles. I know this is 10/9, so I mentioned to someone that it is 10/9 of a mile long. They then proceed to tell me, "You're an idiot, you have to simplify that to 1 and 1/9, your final answer can't be an improper fraction." This blew my mind...in any math class from precalc forward, mixed numbers are frowned upon. Improper fractions are superior in every way. They take what they learn in like fifth grade about simplifying improper fractions and proceed to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. The ONLY time I use mixed numbers is for measuring something on the scale of inches, because that's how rulers are set up. Other than that, improper fractions are always better in my opinion, and they're primarily what I use. I don't know if it's because of it being hammered into my head in calculus classes or because I don't like wasting time converting to a less useful form, but I think mixed numbers are a waste of time 99% of the time.

What do you think? Do you use improper fractions or mixed numbers, and why?

DieDummsteMann

Sounds like someone has insecurity issues....

I hate people that take the time to complain about incredibly petty and irrelevant things in life.foxhound_fox

Like this post.

I HATE YOU!

j/k :)

I don't remember ever using mixed numbers outside of elementary school math. From Algebra 1 on, it was all improper fractions. Improper fractions are so much easier to use.

seriously

Um........ WTH? Can't tell if troll, trying to look smart, both, or just going through a mid-life crisis right now. Who would say "Yeah, _____ is only like 10/9 miles away from here"?

:lol: Calm your jets man.

Rounded decimals FTW.

I can't say I've given the matter much thought. Mathematics is not my specialty. Umm... I guess I wouldn't correct someone in their usage.

I'd give this 7/3Avenger1324

Assuming I had decent mathematical knowledge, I wouldn't use 10/9 instead of 1.1 because no one would have a clue what I'm talking about.SolidSnake35

I'd give this 7/3Avenger1324

Haha! Good.

It kinda sounds like you haven't taken any "higher level" math classes either.

Improper fractions make my life so easy. No need for calculators even :bow:

I recently measured the distance of the path I walk my dog on, and Google Earth gave me an answer of 1.1111... miles. I know this is 10/9, so I mentioned to someone that it is 10/9 of a mile long. They then proceed to tell me, "You're an idiot, you have to simplify that to 1 and 1/9, your final answer can't be an improper fraction." This blew my mind...in any math class from precalc forward, mixed numbers are frowned upon. Improper fractions are superior in every way. They take what they learn in like fifth grade about simplifying improper fractions and proceed to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. The ONLY time I use mixed numbers is for measuring something on the scale of inches, because that's how rulers are set up. Other than that, improper fractions are always better in my opinion, and they're primarily what I use. I don't know if it's because of it being hammered into my head in calculus classes or because I don't like wasting time converting to a less useful form, but I think mixed numbers are a waste of time 99% of the time.

What do you think? Do you use improper fractions or mixed numbers, and why?

DieDummsteMann

For some reason I doubt that you have taken a "higher-level" math course.

Anyway, I don't really give a f*** as I understand both -- but improper fractions are marginally preferable.

In class, I'd use improper fractions. In real life I wouldn't give a **** because that's kind of stupid.

When you're talking about distances, it's just common sense that you say 2 1/2 miles instead of 5/2 miles. The only time you'd use improper fractions is when you're working on an equation and it would be silly to keep converting improper fractions to mixed numbers when it's just an intermediate step anyway, and in that situation improper fractions are easier to deal with. You'd still express the final answer as a mixed number anyway. Giving an improper fraction would be considered incomplete.

Jackc8

Hmm, I guess being a math major, I'm the only one with the TC on this... :Prockguy92

Mixed numbers are NEVER used in higher levels of math. Always improper fractions. That is acceptable in the math world.

I'm with you. Improper fractions 4eva!

I don't think we should hate people who have inferior knowledge in mathematics...