Re:Ask HN: How did you learn math notation?
by klibertp on Thursday November 25, 2021 @03:13PM
(#29344583)
> Did you just use an example from 2600 years ago to make a point?
Yes? What's wrong with that?
I'm pointing out the most widely known example, to make a point, which is: "it is possible to design notation specifically for keeping outsiders out". I'm not saying that modern math notation is like that. I think, as a layman, that it probably evolved over a long time and so is full of idiosyncrasies that made perfect sense back when they were introduced (my GP seems to describe it in similar terms, so I hope I'm not that far removed from reality).
Yes? What's wrong with that?
I'm pointing out the most widely known example, to make a point, which is: "it is possible to design notation specifically for keeping outsiders out". I'm not saying that modern math notation is like that. I think, as a layman, that it probably evolved over a long time and so is full of idiosyncrasies that made perfect sense back when they were introduced (my GP seems to describe it in similar terms, so I hope I'm not that far removed from reality).