How to read multiplication, division, and power?

1.7k Views Asked by At

please understanding my poor English.


I heard from some video lectures, $x^2$ is $x$ squared, and $x^3$ is $x$ cubed.

Could someone let me know how to read $x^n$?

$x$ to the n?

$x$ to the n power?

$x$ to the n powered?

$x$ to the nth power?


Also, I saw an Indian professor is reading $e^x$ as both '$e$ to the $x$' and 'exponential of $x$'.

Please teach me the right expression.


Which one is right to read $y=4x$?

$y$ is equal to four times of $x$

$y$ is equal to four times $x$

$y$ is equal to four multiplying $x$

$y$ is equal to four $x$


Which one is right to read $\displaystyle y=\frac 4 x$

$y$ is equal to four over $x$

$y$ is equal to four by $x$

$y$ is equal to four divided by $x$

$y$ is equal to four dividing $x$


I am sorry for asking not mathematics but English. But I want to know the answer from mathematicians, not from people unrelated to math.

1

There are 1 best solutions below

5
On BEST ANSWER

"$x$ to the $n$-th power" or "$x$ to the power of $n$" are both correct. Some people also say "$x$ to the $n$", but I believe that this is gramatically not completely correct [though it is more practical].

$e^x$ can also be called "exponential of $x$", because the function $x \mapsto e^x$ is called exponential function.

The equation $y = 4x$ can be pronunced either "$y$ equals four $x$" or "$y$ is equal to four times $x$" [and combinations of these two].

The term $\frac{4}{x}$ is pronunced "$4$ divided by $x$".