How do you translate "#5m^2+2#" into a verbal expression?

1 Answer
George C.
Jun 25, 2015

How about: "five times the square of #m#, plus two".

Without the comma it could mean #5(m+2)^2#

Or you could use: "multiply #m# by itself, multiply by five, then add two.

Explanation:

Even "two more than five times the square of #m#" could be misunderstood as #(5+2)m^2#

This all really highlights the ambiguity of our language when trying to describe precise mathematical expressions - which is why we tend to use symbols instead.

Related questions
See all questions in Variable Expressions
Impact of this question
8274 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License