kilopascal wrote:
> 
> 2001-09-09
> 
> It seems from the link Nat provided, this guy's main beef is with using the
> word "times" when used describe something "less than".
> 
> http://www.uexpress.com/coveringthecourts/
> 
> I'm sorry, but I have no trouble understanding that when something is 5
> times less than something else, that means the same thing as 0.2 or 20 %.
> If he and others have trouble, that is their problem. ...

        Then I reckon I'll have to come to grips with being a person who has a
problem with this type of construction. Perhaps it's because I read more
scientific literature than newspapers; the journals I read do not use
it. Nor do I allow students to use it in their lab reports.

        I'm not being sarcastic about your opinion, John; I'm merely reporting
my understanding (or lack thereof) of that construction and the possible
reason for it.

        Clear alternatives to its use are readily available so I don't care to
change my opinion about this construction. Therefore there is no use in
trying to sway me. 

Jim

-- 
Metric Methods(SM)           "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, CAMS     http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row               e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407         phone/FAX:  843.225.6789

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