Why can't we use Plain English to explain math concept?
543862
It is hard to put into plain English what we mean using mathematical terms.  The math has specific and unambiguous meaning.  English is full of wonderful double meanings and shades of meanings.  Once you learn the language of math you appreciate its beauty and power.  But, it is still a good idea to try to make yourself intelligible to the uninitiated.
30751
The Edifier has it right, but darned if I can follow the notation. You really need to see this written out like a textbook to understand what's going on.\n\nClick the link below in "sources" to see the answer hosted at my website www.calculus-help.com. Right now, Yahoo! answers, as far as I can tell, doesn't allow graphics, which makes it tricky to answer ANY math questions.\n\nPlease don't post math answers, guys, if the poster knows the answer but can't get there, and you get something completely different.
672522
Technically, mathematicians just use "i" so they can get away with answers that don't work in the real world. It makes a number of things easier, though, such as finding the roots of a polynomial.
968126
The main difficulty in mastering English  is that there are so many rules that have endless exceptions that one must learn\nmany forms case by case.  The use of prepositions is particularly difficult because many times the native speaker will use one preposition in one case and a different one in what seems to be the same case.  The native speaker can hear which one is right without being able to give the reason, and there may not be a reason for the difference.\nSubtle differences in word order and vocabulary choice often \nchange the meaning completely  in English, and there are countless idioms.\nLittle by little and you will master it.
503325
talk to your math teachers, ask them what you don't understand so you can understand everything. so when they introduce a new concept, you can figure it out from prior knowledge.
1055588
No ...but how do you explain a book to a person that cannot read?\nHow do you explain math to a person who cannot count? Hmmmm !!!
95619
yes.As we know, mathematics plays an important role in our life. Plus, when we think about it, everything around us use mathematical theory. This proves that english can saves our soul. Without it, we may live in stoneage.
936497
To a mathematician 1 + 1=2 right. If I were using that equation in another context it could be interpreted differently. In a nutshell the quote is saying that people sometimes interpet the same one thing differently.
615931
Try looking it up in your math book if you need more clarity
4464
First, it pays for a person to learn something of the structure of the language they want to learn, especially in the ways it differs from their native language.  That is, if this language normally puts the verb at the end of the sentence, whereas English normally puts it between the subject and the object.  However, this also presupposes they know something of the structure of their own native language.  In America, that's not a foregoing conclusion.  The schools teach very little of English structure anymore.  I have asked any number of young people of my acquaintance, and they have never even heard of diagramming sentences, not even as an exercise the teacher might put on the blackboard, let alone something they would be expected to do.  In my sixth grade class, we had ten sentences to diagram for homework every day.
395533
Because change is a hard thing. The metric system is way easer to use that the english system, less things to remember. We are use to it one way and it works, so change for the sake of change is a real hard sell.
1172502
Similar to speaking another language you need to think in terms of the different number system, which amounts to re-learning the addition and multiplication tables.\n\nFor instance in octal or base 8, there would be some differences.  Sure 1 + 1 = 2, and 2 + 2 = 4, but 4 + 4 = 10!!\n\nWith a little practive you could even do multiplication and division, but like decimal, it is still easier to use a calculator.
438100
Because our schools are in such bad shape that kids are graduating who don't know how to read and can't do basic math.  It's an attempt to bring some meaning back to a high school diploma.
846821
the way you communicate to one another using algebraic symbols?
865004
So we know when to use the number '2' and the word 'to'.\nThey are different, and have different meanings. If someone read your question as you wrote it, it would make no sense. So, go to school, and pay attention in English class.
575434
First, students are not taught HOW to study.  Homework is no longer a requirement to pass, even though its necessary for practice. Students are having a hard time with memorizing basic math facts like multiplication tables.  Even if they know the steps to solve an Algebraic equation, they stumble with their times tables.  They also don't know basic conversions like fraction to decimal to percent.  And speaking of fractions, does the term common denominator mean anything?  Fractions just freak the kids out, the rules for adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, each time they see it its like they've never done it before.
588050
Math is the language of Science