If breaking the formula up into little chunks makes
comprehension harder for the vast majority of people then we should not
do it and I do not agree with your assertion that breaking a complex
formula will make it more understandable - it may in fact undermine the
learning.
Breaking content up into "little chunks" doesn't in any way change the content itself, and is therefore not dumbing it down. If it somehow makes comprehension harder for any users, it is a serious flaw in the user agent.
