How important is it to 'get it right'?

[1gemstone]

It is correct. In fact, it's elementary, my dear Watson

 

 

What answer? What are we answering? We're just talking about grammar with reference to the statement in today's Watchtower.

 

 

What is wrong?

 

You said "If the purpose is to say that the size of one is 30 times that of the other" <-- that's what the article did when it said "A couple who served in a small Bethel family in Central America were asked to join a Bethel family almost 30 times as large in Mexico." In other words, 30 * C = M where C is Central America and M is Mexico.

 

You then said "However, what if it were assumed that it was a progressive calculation, a compounding figure?" <-- then the article would have said "were asked to join a Bethel family almost 30 times larger than the one in Mexico". In other words, 30 * C + C = M where C is Central America and M is Mexico. 

 

For clarity, let's assume Central America had 25 among the Bethel Family. A group 30 times as large is 750. But a group 30 times larger than it is 775. This could also be expressed as 31 * C = M, because you have to take the original group, and add a figure 30 times it's size to it.

 

The former expression is much simpler to understand, so I understand why the latter would be a pet peeve of yours. The authors no doubt picked the expression that most easily conveys the thought. In fact, they probably did something like M/C=30 (ish) to come up with the figure and subsequent sentence construction.

 

My only point in this, is that you said the latter expression equals an incalculable figure, but that isn't true. A good math student will keep a careful eye on such expressions as it could mean a right or wrong answer on an exam ;)

My daughter says that math is absolute and English is subjective.