(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
On this program we explain how to use common expressions in American English. We also explore the origins of these expressions. Where do they come from?
Today we are talking about expressions related to numbers. Why? Well, you do the math! VOA does a lot of programs, and sooner or later we were going to get to this one.
The verbal phrase "do the math" means to examine the facts and figures to reach a conclusion, especially when the answer is very clear.
For example, let's say I love animals. I spend all my savings on caring for stray cats and dogs. When my friend asks why I never go on vacation, I can simply point to my seven cats and five dogs and say, "Money for vacations? You do the math!"
Of course, before children can do even basic math they must learn to count.
But counting numbers is not the only meaning of the word "count." Consider a famous quote by the scientist Albert Einstein. He reportedly said, "Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts."
This quote is a pun, a play on words. It plays with two meanings of the word "count." Count means to determine the total number of something. It also means to have value or importance. Things that matter, things that are important ... count.
Let's hear count used in a dialogue. These two friends are talking about an upcoming U.S. election. Take note that a third definition of "count" -- meaning "depend" -- is used.
A: Are you voting in November?
B: Why should I? My vote doesn't count.
A: What do you mean it doesn't count?! After they close the polls workers count all the votes!
B: What I mean is that voters in D.C. don't have representatives in Congress. So, even though my vote for president is officially counted, my opinion about what should happen in my own neighborhood doesn't count. And many people in D.C. are sick of it. You can count on that.
A: Oh, that's right. I didn't count that fact. I live in Maryland and have 10 representatives in Congress. So, my voice does count more than yours.
B: Hm-mm.
That is a lot of counting!
After counting, many children learn to solve simple addition problems. They learn that 1+1=2 and 2+2=4 and so on and so on.
However, as we get older we learn that things often don't add up so simply. Things that should make sense sometimes don't, as in this example:
A: Hi!
B: Hey! Welcome to another Monday at work!
A: Yeah, thanks. Hey, why is Marissa's purse on her desk? I thought she started her vacation today.
B: Maybe it's her second purse. Women do carry more than one purse, you know.
A: I know that. It's just odd. She never leaves her purse.
B: Hey, what are doing? It's rude to go through someone's purse.
A: I know. But I have a bad feeling. Look. Here are her house keys, her wallet, even her plane ticket. It says she's flying out today!
B: You're right. That doesn't add up. Something might be wrong. Why don't you go to her apartment and I'll call her boyfriend.
A: I hope Marissa is okay.
B: I know.
Addition and subtraction are both part of math equations. For example, 8 + 4 = 12 or 2x – 3 = 9. In those equations, the number 4 is a factor of both 8 and 12. And the letter x is a variable that stands in for the number 6.
The words "equation," "factor" and "variable" are all very common in both casual and formal conversations. So, you could say getting students to finish all their homework and chores can be difficult when playing video games is part of the equation. Playing video games is a factor or variable that makes the situation difficult.
Or, let's say I volunteer to help organize the holiday party at my office. But I did not count on how complicated it would be!
There were so many factors to add to the equation. I had to get permission to rent extra tables and chairs. I had to decorate the conference room but I couldn't start until everyone finished their meetings. And I had to decide whether to hire a D.J. or have live music.
Also, there were so many variables I didn't know. For example, how many people would bring guests? Did my colleagues expect to eat dinner or just snacks?
In the end, the party turned out great. But the process was awful. I'll never volunteer again!
Planning a party can be complicated. And as math becomes more complex so do the expressions.
The lowest common denominator, for example, is the smallest number that can be divided evenly into a set of fractions.
In conversation, the lowest common denominator refers to the lowest level of taste. Some television shows in the United States appeal to the lowest common denominator. They take advantage of everyone's natural interest in gossip, violence and romance. These types of program are often vulgar, tasteless and base.
We here at Voice of America don't worry about that. If we tried to appeal to the lowest common denominator by broadcasting tasteless programs, we would lose all of our listeners.
I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.reach a conclusion 得出结论
For each situation, you should reach a conclusion or decision.
每次谈判都要达成一个结论或决定。
2.take note 重视，注意，做笔记
Take note of the weather conditions
留心一下天气状况。
3.go through 经历，经受;翻阅;翻找;整理;通读;彻查;走（流程或固定程序）;例行做;（法律、协议等）被通过;（正式决定）被批准
It was evident that someone had gone through my possessions.
显然有人翻过我的物品。
4.add up 加;相加;合乎情理;说得通;积少成多;聚沙成塔
Well, I could be wrong, but it all seems to add up.
嗯，我也不一定对，但是一切似乎都讲得通。
参考译文
大家好，欢迎来到VOA学英语《词汇掌故》节目。
我们的节目会向你解释如何使用美语里的常用表达。我们也会探寻这些表达的来源。它们来自哪里？
今天，我们聊聊和数字相关的表达。为什么呢？好吧，你自己算算（you do the math!）！VOA会做很多的节目，迟早我们要聊到这块。
这个动词短语“do the math”意思是审视事实，得出一个结论，尤其是当答案是很明显的时候。
例如，比方说我喜欢动物。我把我的全部积蓄花在照顾流浪猫和流浪狗上。当我的朋友问我为什么从不去度假，我可以简单指向我的七只猫和五只狗说，“度假的钱呢？你算算！”
当然，在孩子学会做基本的数学之前，他们必须学会数数。
但是数数（counting numbers）不单单就是单词“count（数数）”的意思，想起科学家爱因斯坦的一句名言。据说他曾说，“并非所有重要的东西都计算得清楚。也并非所有计算得清楚的东西都重要。”
这句话是双关语，双关是文字上的一种玩法。它利用的是单词“count”的两种意思。“Count”意思是确定某物的总数。它也表示有价值或者重要的意思。要紧的事，重要的事都是······重要的。
让我们听听对话里“count”的用法吧。这两个朋友正讨论即将到来的美国选举。注意对话中有用到“count”的第三种意思“信赖”。
A：“你十一月投票吗？”
B：“我为什么要投票？我投票没有意义。”
A：你说“投票没有意义”是什么意思？！在投票结束之后，工作人员会计数所有投票！
B：我意思是国会没有来自华盛顿的选民代表。所以，即使我的总统投票被官方计入。这对于我的社区建议没有任何意义。而且，许多华盛顿的人很厌烦投票。你可以信我的话。
A：哦，那确实是。我没有考虑到实际。我住在马里兰，国会有我们州10个代表。所以，我的意见相比你的确实更有意义些。
B：嗯。
这段对话有好多“count”。
数完数后，许多孩子学着做简单的加法问题。他们学习1+1=2和2+2=4，等等等等。
然而，当我们长大我们明白事情通常不是简单地相加就可以。原本有意义的事情有时也会变得没有意义，正如这个例子：
A：嗨！
B：嘿！欢迎又一个上班的星期一！
A：耶，谢谢。为什么玛利亚的包在她的桌子上？我以为她从今天开始放假了。
B：也许是她的另一个包。你知道，女人确实出门带不止一个包包。
A：我知道那个。实在太奇怪了。她从不落下她的包的。
B：嘿，你干什么？翻别人的包是很无礼的。
A：我知道。但我有种不好的感觉。看，这是她家的钥匙，她的钱包，甚至她的飞机票。这表明她今天要赶航班！
B：你说得对。这讲不通。也许出了什么问题。为什么你不去她公寓看看，我给她男朋友打个电话。
A：我希望玛利亚没事。
B：我知道。
加减法两者都是数学方程式的一部分。例如， 8 + 4 = 12或者 2x – 3 = 9。在这些等式中，数字4是8和12的因数。字母x是一个变量，代表结果数字6。
单词“等式”、“因数”和“变量”在非正式和正式谈话中都很常见。所以，你可以说当打电子游戏也是生活方程式的一部分时，让学生们完成他们全部的家庭作业以及做家务真得是很难。玩电子游戏是使情况变得困难的一个因数或变量。
或者，假设我自愿帮忙组织在我办公室举行的假期聚会。但我没有想到这个会有那么难！
这个涉及到太多因素了。我必须得到许可才能租用额外的桌椅。我得装饰会议室，但我得等所有人开完会才能开始动手装饰。我得决定是否需要雇一个D.J或者有现场音乐。
而且还有许多我未知的变量。例如，多少人会带别的客人来？我的同事们是希望吃晚饭或者就吃零食就可以了？
结果证明聚会很成功。但是过程很可怕。我再也不自愿组织了！
计划聚会是很复杂的事。随着数学变得越来越复杂，表达也变得越来越复杂。
例如，“最小公分母（The lowest common denominator）”是指能被一组分数整除的最小的数字。
在交流中，“the lowest common denominator”指的是最低级的品位。一些美国电视节目迎合低级趣味。他们利用每个人对八卦，暴力和浪漫的原生兴趣。这些类型的节目通常是庸俗、无味、低俗。
不用担心我们的VOA。如果我们为了迎合低级品味而去播放无聊的节目，我们早就失去我们所有的听众了。
我是安娜·马特奥。
