TEASER - 10
KILO CASE
If Y2K stands for year 2000, then indicate which of the following is correct ?
THE EXPLANATION:
In day to day life, the long words are frequently squeezed or compressed and are represented by a single alphabet, especially in written form, may be perhaps to save time, space and energy. Such short forms, when used in combination with other similar short forms or numerals, for deriving equations or formula, has the potential of creating confusion, especially in the minds of students not conversant with such usage.
The K is one of the most used single alphabet in modern times which is a short form for Kilo. The K symbol is used extensively as independent entity or in combination with other alphabets or numerals. For example in metric system K is commonly used in combination with other alphabets such as KG or Kg (Kilo-gram), KM or Km (Kilo-meter), KL or Kl (Kilo-liter), Y2K (Year 2000) and so on.
When K is used in combinations:
i The equations, where K, used in combination with other alphabets such as M as a single dimensional entity, the confusion level is zero because K and M, whether allowed independently or together, the end result will remain same.
ii Problems may start cropping up when KM is squared (multi dimensional) as this involves multiplication of itself. Since K and M also represent independent entity confusion may be created that whether both are part of same unit or not? There is a possibility that K would be perceived as an independent alphabet separate from M and only M is squared (M2) and not K. This scenario is very much possible on the assumption by an individual that K being a dominant alphabet is separate even when combined with alphabet like M.
iii However since general convention provides that both K and M must be written together as KM or Km for Kilometer, hence must be squared together as KM2 or as K2 M2. This is similar to a numerical quantity squared, such as 1232 which would be red as 123 x 123 and not as 1, 2, 32 or 1 x 2 x 32.
To avoid confusion or any other anomalous perception once for all, Kilometer or any similar quantity or entity should better be either denoted by one alphabet, such as T or R or if two alphabets are essential then it could be placed within a bracket (KM)2 then squared.
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