Math or Maths?

[Allezfan]

I would normally go with british language over american (herbs has a bleeding h in it) just as a point of principle but the thing is maths doesn't make sense as an abbreviation of mathematics.

Mathematics isn't a plural it's a singular word which coincidentally has an s on the end. It's like anonymous.

When you're shortening it you can just take the early part of the words, anon or math, there's no need to add an s to it to pluralise it because it's not a plural.

It's basically just cheating at scrabble.

 

[Goat]

81....

 

[orly]

Mods?

 

[Woolly Blue]

Maths covers a range of subjects such as calculus, geometry, arithmetic, stats ( or is it stat ? ) which is why the full word has an s at the end of it. Therefore the use of the s making the shortened version plural is correct. Our American brethren will, of course, disagree, but, frankly, they don't know their arse from their ass, or their elbow.

 

[ijjysmith]

Numbers

 

[Allezfan]

Maths covers a range of subjects such as calculus, geometry, arithmetic, stats ( or is it stat ? ) and therefore the use of the s making it seem plural is correct. Our American brethren will, of course, disagree, but, frankly, they don't know their arse from their ass, or their elbow.

Statistics is an actual plural (of statistic) so stats is legit.

Mathematic is not a word. (Well it is but only as an adjective not a noun)

 

[Woolly Blue]

Statistics is an actual plural (of statistic) so stats is legit.

Mathematic is not a word. (Well it is but only as an adjective not a noun)

Look, I've just edited my original post to explain the situation further.
I can't help it if you've turned into a weird American speaker.

 

[dholliday]

Maths covers a range of subjects such as calculus, geometry, arithmetic, stats ( or is it stat ? ) and therefore the use of the s making it seem plural is correct.

This.


The more nonsense explanation is that in "Mathematics", the "s" has a consonant directly before it, whereas "Anonymous" does not.

 

[malfosse]

Our N. American cousins use math, ergo it's maths.

 

[SteKelly]

Matts

 

[malfosse]

Matts

Don't you mean Maffs mate.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

I'd hate to see you when you're bored...

 

[Allezfan]

I'd hate to see you when you're bored...

I need to be boring enough that no kopite is willing to strike up a conversation with me, basically.

Just need to keep it up until the next derby.

 

[Brennan]

I think your mistake is trying to apply logic to the English language. The distinction is arbitrary and there's no correct option here.

 

[DualityNSNO]

I think your mistake is trying to apply logic to the English language. The distinction is arbitrary and there's no correct option here.

"Pineapple".