• Cethin@lemmy.zip
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    8 months ago

    Except putting it in front let’s you understand what the number is that you’re reading before you read it. It’s not 1.5B people. It’s not 1.5B paper airplanes. You know it’s dollars being discussed as you read the number. For understanding, I’m reasonably confident it makes more sense to out it in front.

    • DrSteveBrule@mander.xyz
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      8 months ago

      If it makes more sense to put the unit before the number, then couldn’t one argue we should be writing people1.5B or airplanes1.5B? That way we know what it is before we read the number.

      • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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        8 months ago

        Sure. Some languages do that. It’s totally viable. Our language doesn’t work that way though so you won’t see it, outside of money.