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your calculator is set for/to degrees and not radians

bragandbounce

Senior Member
Mandarin - China
Hi everyone!

I have two questions:

1. Is it possible to replace set for with set to?
2. Why are the plurals of degree and radian used in the sentence? I suppose, degree and radian only appear in their singular form in calculators.

Thanks a lot!

... The inverse sine function may be expressed as sin
1762347120272.png
(0.866), which is a shorthand way of asking the question "What angle has a sine of 0.866?" Punching a couple of buttons on your calculator reveals that this angle is 60.0°. Try it for yourself and show that tan
1762347120272.png
(0.400) = 21.8°. Be sure that your calculator is set for degrees and not radians. College Physics, Ninth Edition, by Raymond A. Serway and Chris Vuille

Units of measure are usually used in the plural in sentences, since a measurement being exactly one unit is rare:

"How many minutes does it take you to run 10 kilometers?
"The nearest star, Alpha Centauri, is about four light-years from earth."
"Mount Everest is about 8,850 meters, or 29,000 feet, high."

And so on. The use of "degrees, not radians" in this sentence is standard. There are a few exceptions, such as the power of an engine being given in horsepower, but they're rare. (What would the plural of "horsepower" be, anyhow? Horsepowers? Horsespower? Either way, it's awkward. The singular functions as the plural in this case.)

To answer your first question: I'd use "set to" personally, but I can't say that "set for" is wrong.
I suppose, degree and radian only appear in their singular form in calculators.

Despite what is shown in the photo you posted, I would expect the plural forms to be used even on a calculator, so long as there is room on the screen.

We use the singular degree to refer to the extent of something that is not readily quantifiable, such as the degree of skill required for a task. We use the plural for quantitative things, such as degrees of temperature.

Like Egmont, I personally prefer "set to" in your example, but I agree that "set for" is also correct.
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and I have it set for/set to Tokyo time
I would never use "for" for that. Do you set your room thermostat to or for 70 degrees?
When you're cooking, do you set your hotplate to or for medium high?
When you suspect that the person ringing your doorbell might pose a threat, do you set your phaser to stun or for stun? :rolleyes:
Do you set your room thermostat to or for 70 degrees?
When you're cooking, do you set your hotplate to or for medium high?
When you suspect that the person ringing your doorbell might pose a threat, do you set your phaser to stun or for stun? :rolleyes:

Good questions, and I agree with you on all three.
Now I'll ask you.
Do you set your alarm clock to 7:00 or for 7:00?

I've been trying to come up with some kind of pattern for this, but have so far failed.
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Your calculator is set for degrees and not radians. -> for the purpose [of measuring] ...
Your calculator is set to degrees and not radians. –> to the position in which it will measure ...

Compare:
He set his alarm clock for 06:00hrs -> for the purpose of going off at 06:00hrs.
He set his alarm clock to 06:00hrs -> to the position which indicated 06:00hrs.
Your calculator is set for degrees and not radians. -> for the purpose [of measuring] ...
Your calculator is set to degrees and not radians. –> to the position in which it will measure ...

Compare:
He set his alarm clock for 06:00hrs -> for the purpose of going off at 06:00hrs.
He set his alarm clock to 06:00hrs -> to the position which indicated 06:00hrs.

Thanks for that. It is pretty much in line with what I've been thinking, but you have put it very clearly.

I'm sure there are exceptions to the above pattern, but it's a good starting point.
Bragandbounce, the singular usage (radian/degree/gradian) displayed on your calculator (image in #1) is due, I think, to the fact that the display shows the sub-menu arrived at from the menu item 'Angle Unit' (my bold). Usually, you just have a menu which lists Degrees/Radians/Gradians, as said above.
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