Talk:mathematics

<Jun-Dai 02:13, 22 Jan 2005 (UTC)>

• "The ability to do mathematics."

I think that this term is more a general use of the language with regard to fields of study. People can just as easily say "my physics isn't very good," etc. In any case, my perception of this sense of the word is that it is used so infrequently as to be not worth mentioning. Even in the cases where people use the term in this sense, they are more likely to use the shorter and more informal term math. I suggest we remove this sense. </Jun-Dai>

To whom it may concern: Please add a complete list of mathematical symbols (with explanations/ definitions). If such a list already exists it is hidden somewhere, unfortunately. Please unhide it by adding links. </ryszards>

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From WT:RFD:

mathematics

Definition #2 # The ability to do mathematics. #:My mathematics isn't very good. This can be done with any field of study. One could just as easily say, My physics isn't very good etc. Because this applies equally to any field of study, it should be removed. Fark 20:39, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

I agree, delete. Widsith 22:40, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

That's not what this page is for. This should go at WT:RFV. — Vildricianus 23:16, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

No, it shouldn't, because I'm not disputing the existence of this definition. I'm saying that it applies equally to any field of study, and so shouldn't be mentioned. —This unsigned comment was added by Fark (talk • contribs) 02:00, 15 June 2006.

No dude, your asking mathematics to be deleted. Keep. Also, anonymous comments may at all times be removed, so sign them. — Vildricianus 11:24, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

That is, unsigned comments, in case that was ambiguous.

This keep vote (now unbolded) is clearly for the page rather than the sense. 59.112.50.163 15:58, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Did I say that? Rebolded. — Vildricianus 16:08, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

I only asking definition 2 to be deleted, not the whole page. Read what I've written above. Definition 2 goes equally well with any field of study, so needs no mention. Do you agree or disagree with removing it? Fark 11:44, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Now fixed with {{rfd-sense}}. 59.112.50.163 15:58, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Excellent troll! Bravo. Keep. --Connel MacKenzie T C 23:21, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

Reasons? 59.112.50.163 15:58, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

What's the problem? The RFD is for the 2nd definition only. It's ludicrous. We couly equally add the same sort of thing to cycling, reading etc etc. Widsith 12:30, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

I've never seen an RFD for definitions. Even better than RFV is the Tea room, for this is an issue that could affect more entries and is purely linguistical. As if it could be sorted out by voting! I'd like to see opinions and arguments, not votes. — Vildricianus 16:08, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Keep. This is a distinct sense recognised by other dictionaries. Yes, it can be applied to any field of study, but that's irrelevant (the thin-edge-of-the-wedge argument is not a valid reason for not including something). — Paul G 08:51, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

The edge-of-the-wedge is invalid... except for most figurative senses, substantivation of adjectives, most gerunds, and less notable constructed adjectives from participles. Her knitting, your typing, their canoeing lead to everyone's best guessing. Davilla 07:13, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

Paul, which dictionaries recognise this as a separate sense? The OED certainly doesn't, nor does Webster's, nor does Merriam-Webster, nor does Encarta, nor does American Heritage, nor does Dictionary.com. I can't believe any authority could possibly call this a distinct sense. Widsith 21:59, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

Deleted disputed sense. Andrew massyn 09:58, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Here goes: "I did mathematics at university" - here "mathematics" is clearly a field of study. However that is not the sense in "My mathematics is not very good" - it means what the definition said: the ability to do mathematics. No, it's not on the OED, but that's not a reason to exclude it. The meaning is distinct, and so would some translations be. Furthermore, "numeracy" is a possible synonym, but not for the main sense of the word. This is further evidence, to my mind, that this sense is distinct from the main one.

Ha ha, I notice that the sense was deleted, but not the translations :) Having this as a separate sense is harmless. Omitting it is an oversight. Restoring. — Paul G 07:43, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

[plural; used with a plural verb]: mathematical procedures, operations, or properties

The mathematics are tricky in that equation.
https://www.wordreference.com/definition/mathematics

--Backinstadiums (talk) 15:47, 25 August 2020 (UTC)

I don't understand the mathematics of it, which are complicated --Backinstadiums (talk) 20:32, 29 November 2020 (UTC)