4 ms·
Clarity of language for one thing, but also that "times" is indicative of multiplication so "five times" anything has to be bigger[1]. One fifth is far clearer
by mikece 6y ago
Clarity of language for one thing, but also that "times" is indicative of multiplication so "five times" anything has to be bigger[1]. One fifth is far clearer as there's no way to interpret that other than being a part of the size of the reference, ergo, smaller. Is it impossible to understand? No, but it's poor style for technical writing.
[1] I'm ignoring the case of decimal math since the reference in this case is always the whole integer 1.
- zanellato19 6y agoI think this takes the cake for the most pedantic HN comment I have ever read.
- jiofih 6y agoI don’t know under which rock you’ve been hiding but “x times faster/smaller” has been in common use for decades, including technical writing. Everyone understands it as 1/X, there is absolutely no confusion.