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Original poster

AIBU to wonder why English teachers don't fight Maths teachers?

83 replies

GRex · 20/01/2025 22:27

Every week we get the primary maths homework with questions like:
"What number is 41 less than 54?"

It's like nails down my psychological blackboard. How do the teachers responsible for the English programme cope? Why does nobody take the battle forward for fewer? What is so scary about the maths teachers that none of the rest stand and fight this out for the greater good?

OP posts:
HappyNewFeckingYear · 20/01/2025 23:04

Why does nobody take the battle forward for fewer?

Because it is an irrational argument.

BlueSilverCats · 20/01/2025 22:55

How many 41s?😬

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/01/2025 22:44

Maybe it was written by an English teacher who doesn't like Maths. I always get clear, concise and understandable requests from the Maths department, which leads me to conclude that they don't just have a grasp on their subject, they've got the communication skills to explain concepts and their application, along with a talent for process mapping that just isn't there in some other subjects.

If I never hear another teacher inform me that they don't do Maths or technology (usually with a laugh as though it's so very amusing and cute of them), it'll still be too soon.

Merryoldgoat · 20/01/2025 22:43

I work in a school and I’d pay money to watch that showdown. I’m gonna add it to the next INSET schedule 🤣

Globusmedia · 20/01/2025 22:43

I don't think 'fewer' is really a thing in maths.

CasperGutman · 20/01/2025 22:41

AIUI it's debatable whether it has ever really been incorrect to use "less" for countable items. But even accepting this is a valid rule I'm not convinced it applies in this instance.

The question is one of pure maths - there's nothing to indicate that these figures represent numbers of countable items as opposed to, say, heights in centimetres. In general, the number line is continuous.

Would you also have them say "What number is 3.2 fewer than 2.4?" Or would you read out "9 < 10" as "nine is fewer than ten"? Why? Would you also say "0.9 < 1.0" as "zero point nine is fewer than one point zero"?

noblegiraffe · 20/01/2025 22:37

They're put off by the idea of getting into a debate about whether numbers are countable with a maths teacher.

FranticHare · 20/01/2025 22:33

Of the maths and English teacher that I know personally as friends - the maths teachers would win a fight hands down!