off topic but please forgive me me and answer

[Martin P. Hellwig]

On 04/03/10 16:17, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
> On Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:43:41 +0100, Martin P. Hellwig wrote:
>
>> I am replying to this post not because I disagree but because it
>> postalogically  fits the best (I am by no means an expert either).
>>
>> IMHO, the crackpot in this regard is actually partially right,
>> multiplication does mean that the number must get bigger, however for
>> fractions you multiply four numbers, two numerators and two
>> denominators. The resulting numerator and denominator by this
>> multiplication get indeed bigger.
>
> But you're not multiplying four numbers, you're multiplying two numbers.
> One-half is not "two numbers", that would be a tuple or a list or
> possibly a coordinate pair. One-half is a single number, the number which
> if you double it gives one.
>

I disagree with you there, but I only disagree with you on the 
definition of the syntax, not with the logic nor the explanation.
I am not going to argue about syntax, since I don't think I would make a 
great argument (being the devil's advocate) and also because I believe 
when argued correctly, agreeing on disagreement of syntax allows even 
the greatest untruth be true and false at the same time.

Excuse me please I need to feed Schroedinger's cat :-)

-- 
mph