• Also, the notation is weird. 3 point two percent would be 3,2 (EU), 3.2, or 16/5… In the US, I can’t imagine anyone writing 3.2 as 3/2. We do most of us understand basic division.

    I’m as confused about the notation as everyone else.

    We demand answers!

    • 5too@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      I’m just noticing that the / is next to the . on my keyboard…

      Did this just start out as a typo?

      • Dunno, but good theory. The other theory someone suggested that makes sense is that it’s spoken shorthand, like “I like 3-5 beer” was written “3/5”. Mist people would probably pronounce “3.5” as three-point-five, so writing it 3/5 does make sense.

    • joshthewaster@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      3/2 makes sense as a way to represent how someone would actually say it out loud. “Three two beer” is common term used to describe beer with 3.2% alcohol by weight. "Three point two percent beer* works but is just shortened and 3/2 is a pretty good way of capturing the sound.

    • Øπ3ŕ@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 days ago

      As a former ESL teacher and redneck, I’m guessing it’s 1 part sub-par literacy, 1 part phobia of metric (*not… Math?!*😱), and 1 part cultural acceptance of both (& more). Coupled with the fact that it’s half the problem, and you have your mouthbreather fraction - or faction, even.