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You Do the Math

时间:2016-10-17 23:03:30

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(单词翻译)

You Do the Math

Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.

On this program we explain how to use common expressions in American English. We also explore the origins of these expressions. Where do they come from?

Today we are talking about expressions related to numbers. Why? Well, you do the math! VOA does a lot of programs, and sooner or later we were going to get to this one.

The verbal1 phrase “do the math” means to examine the facts and figures to reach a conclusion, especially when the answer is very clear.

For example, let’s say I love animals. I spend all my savings2 on caring for stray3 cats and dogs. When my friend asks why I never go on vacation, I can simply point to my seven cats and five dogs and say, “Money for vacations? You do the math!”

Of course, before children can do even basic math they must learn to count.

But counting numbers is not the only meaning of the word “count.” Consider a famous quote by the scientist Albert Einstein. He reportedly said, "Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts."

This quote is a pun, a play on words. It plays with two meanings of the word “count.” Count means to determine the total number of something. It also means to have value or importance. Things that matter, things that are important ... count.

Let’s hear count used in a dialogue. These two friends are talking about an upcoming U.S. election. Take note that a third definition of “count” -- meaning “depend” -- is used.

A: Are you voting in November?

B: Why should I? My vote doesn’t count.

A: What do you mean it doesn’t count?! After they close the polls4 workers count all the votes!

A: What I mean is that voters in D.C. don’t have representatives in Congress. So, even though my vote for president is officially counted, my opinion about what should happen in my own neighborhood doesn’t count. And many people in D.C. are sick of it. You can count on that.

B: Oh, that’s right. I didn’t count that fact. I live in Maryland and have 10 representatives in Congress. So, my voice does count more than yours.

A: Hm-mm.

That is a lot of counting!

After counting, many children learn to solve simple addition problems. They learn that 1+1=2 and 2+2=4 and so on and so on.

However, as we get older we learn that things often don’t add up so simply. Things that should make sense sometimes don’t, as in this example:

A: Hi!

B: Hey! Welcome to another Monday at work!

A: Yeah, thanks. Hey, why is Marissa’s purse on her desk? I thought she started her vacation today.

B: Maybe it’s her second purse. Women do carry more than one purse, you know.

A: I know that. It’s just odd. She never leaves her purse.

B: Hey, what are doing? It’s rude to go through someone’s purse.

A: I know. But I have a bad feeling. Look. Here are her house keys, her wallet, even her plane ticket. It says she’s flying out today!

B: You’re right. That doesn’t add up. Something might be wrong. Why don’t you go to her apartment and I’ll call her boyfriend.

A: I hope Marissa is okay.

B: I know.

Addition and subtraction5 are both part of math equations7. For example, 8 + 4 = 12 or 2x – 3 = 9. In those equations, the number 4 is a factor of both 8 and 12. And the letter x is a variable that stands in for the number 6.

The words “equation6,” “factor” and “variable” are all very common in both casual and formal conversations. So, you could say getting students to finish all their homework and chores can be difficult when playing video games is part of the equation. Playing video games is a factor or variable that makes the situation difficult.

Or, let’s say I volunteer to help organize the holiday party at my office. But I did not count on how complicated it would be!

There were so many factors to add to the equation. I had to get permission to rent extra tables and chairs. I had to decorate the conference room but I couldn’t start until everyone finished their meetings. And I had to decide whether to hire a D.J. or have live music.

Also, there were so many variables I didn’t know. For example, how many people would bring guests? Did my colleagues expect to eat dinner or just snacks?

In the end, the party turned out great. But the process was awful. I’ll never volunteer again!

Planning a party can be complicated. And as math becomes more complex so do the expressions.

The lowest common denominator, for example, is the smallest number that can be divided evenly into a set of fractions.

In conversation, the lowest common denominator refers to the lowest level of taste. Some television shows in the United States appeal to the lowest common denominator. They take advantage of everyone’s natural interest in gossip8, violence and romance9. These types of program are often vulgar10, tasteless and base.

We here at Voice of America don’t worry about that. If we tried to appeal to the lowest common denominator by broadcasting tasteless programs, we would lose all of our listeners.

Words in This Story

pun – n. a humorous way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested

vulgar – adj. not having or showing good manners, good taste, or politeness

base – adj. of low value and not very good in some ways


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1 verbal mi9wJ     
adj.口头的,用言辞的,用文字的,动词的
参考例句:
  • Verbal statements are no guarantee.口说无凭。
  • I delivered a verbal protest against their brutal acts.我对他们的暴行提出口头抗议。
2 savings ZjbzGu     
n.存款,储蓄
参考例句:
  • I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假,那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
  • By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时,他的存款已全部用完。
3 stray bGpzL     
n.走失的家畜,浪子;adj.迷途的,偶然的;vi.迷路,彷徨
参考例句:
  • We couldn't identify the stray child.我们不能辨认出这个迷途孩子的身份。
  • Please don't stray from the subject.请不要离开本题。
4 polls 952e8cf2c863b8ddc656bac6ad0b729b     
民意调查( poll的名词复数 ); 民意调查的结果; 投票选举; 投票数
参考例句:
  • The two candidates are in a dead heat in the polls. 两名候选人在民意测验中势均力敌。
  • Opinion polls indicated a two-thirds majority in favour of ratification of the treaty. 民意调查表明2/3 的多数票赞成批准这个条约。
5 subtraction RsJwl     
n.减法,减去
参考例句:
  • We do addition and subtraction in arithmetic.在算术里,我们作加减运算。
  • They made a subtraction of 50 dollars from my salary.他们从我的薪水里扣除了五十美元。
6 equation noDxI     
n.方程式,等式,等同
参考例句:
  • The solution can be expressed by a mathematical equation.答案可用一个数学方程式来表示。
  • This equation is known as the ideal gas law.这个等式被叫做理想气体定律。
7 equations be2173ea040699aaf0fccdf9afa01f05     
方程式( equation的名词复数 ); 相等; 等同看待
参考例句:
  • The overwhelming majority of nonlinear differential equations are not soluble analytically. 绝大多数非线性微分方程是不能用解析方法求解的。
  • To derive the transformation equations, we return to Fig. 14-1. 为了求出这个变换式,我们回顾图14-1。
8 gossip AeEzc     
n.流言蜚语,爱说长道短的人;vi.传播流言
参考例句:
  • She broadcast the gossip all over the town.她将这个流言传遍全镇。
  • They spread a lot of tacky gossip about his love life.关于他的爱情生活,他们散播了许多不堪的闲言闲语。
9 romance KXGx1     
n.恋爱关系,浪漫气氛,爱情小说,传奇
参考例句:
  • She wrote a romance about an artist's life in Tokyo.她写了一个关于一位艺术家在东京生活的浪漫故事。
  • They tried to rekindle the flames of romance.他们试图重燃爱火。
10 vulgar XgAyV     
adj.粗野的,下流的,庸俗的,粗俗的
参考例句:
  • His language is a bit vulgar at times.他说话有时有点粗俗。
  • His vulgar manners shocked everyone.他粗俗的举止使大家大为吃惊。

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