Totally random question for the Europeans regarding the decimal point.

[Chundles]

Hey dudes and dudettes.

I just had a question regarding the use of the comma in numerical terms. Where we would normally use a decimal point to indicate a fraction, ie. 2.4GHz, you guys use a comma ie. 2,4GHz.

Now that's all fine but how would you pronounce the number? Surely you don't say "two comma four gighertz" but I can't be sure. Do you say "two point four" or not?

Anyhoo - that's my rambling mind for you, kinda strikes a lot when the Kiwis are giving us a bit of a hiding in the rugby.

 

[skunk]

Over here, we use a point, just like you. In France, and all over continental Europe, they use a comma, and say "deux vergule quatre", and so on. We're not that European yet.

 

[t0mat0]

COuld only think an old school grocer using a comma, otherwise it's relatively unheard of in England at least. Two point four gigahertz. I think there's aa thread somewhere on here that went on about dot oh, point oh, point zero too...

 

[skunk]

Could only think an old school grocer using a comma, otherwise it's relatively unheard of in England at least.

Is that a "greengrocer's comma", to match the "greengrocer's apostrophe"?

 

[djellison]

Yup - the UK isn't especially european, all things considered.

We're very very . not , - and our 7's don't tend to have lines thru the middle either

 

[skunk]

and our 7's don't tend to have lines thru the middle either

That's because our 1s don't look like 7s.

Nice use of the greengrocer's apostrophe, by the way.

 

[dukebound85]

i always thought it was a typo whenever i saw 2,4 ghz or something lol

 

[Chundles]

i always thought it was a typo whenever i saw 2,4 ghz or something lol

Well that's because you're an American. Americans think everything is a typo.

 

[és:]

Using a comma has always looked a trifle odd to me.

 

[skunk]

Using a comma has always looked a trifle odd to me.

Well, at least it establishes that not every decimal point is the end of a sentence.

 

[davidjearly]

Over in Scotland, we use the decimal point. I've never seen the comma used in its place to express a fraction.

Well that's because you're an American. Americans think everything is a typo.

Nice.

 

[auggie2k]

Decimal points all the way here in Ireland... although my friend asked was I French the other day when I wrote down some work figures like 5·25% instead of 5.25%

 

[Queso]

...and our 7's don't tend to have lines thru the middle either

I've always put a line through my 7s. I guess it's down to what your first primary school teacher tells you to do.

 

[skunk]

I've always put a line through my 7s. I guess it's down to what your first primary school teacher tells you to do.

No, that's just because you're gay.

 

[Queso]

No, that's just because you're gay.

Can't be that, otherwise I'd draw little love hearts instead of dots over my i's and j's too

 

[t0mat0]

Same with z's - Sure helps differentiate between one's and sevens, z's and two's.

How else could you make sure you're 1337 & not 7331?

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Well that's because you're an American. Americans think everything is a typo.

So is the American date format a typo or not?

 

[Chundles]

So is the American date format a typo or not?

No, it's just plain wrong.

 

[bsheridan]

In Europe (well France and Spain) where we (UK) would write €1,499.99 they would write €1.499,99.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

No, it's just plain wrong.

I knew it!

 

[iAlan]

I always thought it was a typo whenever i saw 2,4 ghz or something lol

Well that's because you're an American. Americans think everything is a typo.

If a word aint spelt foneticaly all americanz think it is a type-o

 

[0098386]

I knew it!

So did we

 

[noaccess]

In Germany too, they use a comma and pronounce 2,4 "zwei Komma vier".

No, it's just plain wrong.

Seconded.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Well, at least it establishes that not every decimal point is the end of a sentence.

No, that is, or should be, established by two spaces, and a following capital letter, or two carriage returns for a new paragraph, and a capital letter.

In polite society, anyway.

 

[gekko513]

I just had a question regarding the use of the comma in numerical terms. Where we would normally use a decimal point to indicate a fraction, ie. 2.4GHz, you guys use a comma ie. 2,4GHz.

Now that's all fine but how would you pronounce the number? Surely you don't say "two comma four gighertz" but I can't be sure. Do you say "two point four" or not?

I say "to komma fire gigahertz".