rule number one: Never ask a loved one for an objective answer about something like this, no matter how much of an expert they may be in the subject at hand theyre likely to side with you over strangers (even if its a subconcious thing
)
rule number two: Any scientist or mathemetician in my experience (and I include myself in this
) will concuct any amount of utter bollocks sooner than concede even the slightest, tiniest little smidgeon of ignorance in any area remotely connected to their field of experties. And often quite a few other fields of experties with tenuous links to their own
rule number three: It may be a maths issue overall but it is still predominately a gramatical one that boils down to interpretation of the English language. I, for one, don't claim to be an expert in this field (though I do consider myself to be fairly well spoken (and written) when I wish). In this case Burger is clearly correct, the two phrases are totally distinct. One implies squaring of the number 6, the other implies a quantity of a square unit.
In any case the original wording issue I mentioned was specifically '
A 6" Square (singular)' This I feel is quite clearly refering to a square with a side length of 6 inches. Six InchES square (or squared, the -ed suffix is of no consequence) does imply the same thing but is perhaps a little more open to interpretation simply as it could be read as meaning '6 x [inches squared]'
But I digress, you've got your definitive answer from a professor of Mathematics and I daresay any professor of English would agree with the verdict.
Also for the record the 'Americans buthchering the language' quip was meant entirely in jest, I myself grew up (well grew older anyway, I don't really see how anyone who spends time paining and playing with little toy spaceships can really claim to be all that grown up
) in Canada (and Canadians murder the language just as often!) I will however have anyone who uses the term 'U.S. English' or attempts to claim there is such a language up before a firing squad at dawn. A firing squad of howitzers..... (yes thats right, I'm looking at you Bill Gates!!! :twisted: )
