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In english:

  • $\bigl(x+y^2\bigr)$ is ('x' plus 'y' squared)
  • $(x+y)^2$ is ('x' plus 'y' squared)
    How can I make the difference in english between the two?
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    I try to add a pause, as in "$x$ plus...$y^2$" vs "$x$ plus $y$, squared." If there's ambiguity, I sometimes make the parentheses with my hands while speaking.2012-12-03
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    Some people say "the quantity $x+y$ *pause* squared" to flag to the listener that there is something appearing in parentheses. I won't say this is much more useful than other methods, though :)2012-12-03

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To completely eliminate all confusion, many people will use "$x$ plus $y$-squared" for the first, and "$x$ plus $y$ quantity squared" for the second one.

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    Also, "eks plus why, the quantity, squared".2012-12-03
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    Yeah, actually I like that version better anyway.2012-12-03
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    We use a lot of "the whole" like : "eks plus y the whole squared"2012-12-03
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    I think "$x$ plus $y$-squared" is still ambiguous. I'd go for "$x$ plus quantity $y$-squared," or "$x$ plus the square of $y$." Or "$y$ squared plus $x$."2012-12-03