This morning, I noticed something interesting on our half-gallon carton of Tropicana Light & Healthy Orange Juice (the one that's only one Weight Watchers point): 1/2 Less Sugar & Calories. One half less??? Doesn't that mean 50% more?
It seems to me this could come from a phrase "less by half". But a notice "Less sugar & calories by half" wouldn't make a good slogan so they chose somewhat awkward solution.
You said "1/2 less" would mean the same as "50% more", but doesn't "50% more" mean the same as "1/2 more"? And if that's the case, how could "1/2 less" mean the same as "1/2 more"?
I like the solution, "less by half," but that would make a terrible slogan. One of the products my company sells has a catchy slogan, "You've Gotta Hear It To Believe It!" My brother (an English Comp. major) and I re-worked it for them as, "One Need Hear It, Lest One Disbelieve," but they didn't think that was catchy enough.
This reminds me of when advertisers tout sales at which shoppers can "save 25% off." If an item is typically $100, and 25% off is $75, wouldn't saving 25% off mean you're really saving $75?
I believe Tropicana is right, but could have simply said "Half the Sugar & Calories". Maybe they added the word "less" because someone in marketing thought it would make the product more appealing to people watching their sugar & calorie intake. I think "1/2 Less" is rather redundant, because half automatically implies a reduction.
I am not sure why you would think that "1/2 Less" would be equal to "50% more". One-and-a-half is the same as 50% more, but "1/2 Less" is taking half of the sugar & calories and throwing them away, leaving you with "1/2 Less".
I also don't understand why doug believes that 25% off $100 equals saving $75, thus only having to pay $25. Simple math states: $100 x 25% (0.25) = $25. So saving 25% off $100 means you save $25 dollars off $100, paying $75 for the item.
I agree with doc in that this is a great blog. I enjoy reading what you have posted so far and look forward to future posts.
13 comments:
It seems to me this could come from a phrase "less by half". But a notice "Less sugar & calories by half" wouldn't make a good slogan so they chose somewhat awkward solution.
BTW, a great blog!
Thanks for the post. I teach math and will be using this as an example in my class.
You said "1/2 less" would mean the same as "50% more", but doesn't "50% more" mean the same as "1/2 more"? And if that's the case, how could "1/2 less" mean the same as "1/2 more"?
I like the solution, "less by half," but that would make a terrible slogan. One of the products my company sells has a catchy slogan, "You've Gotta Hear It To Believe It!" My brother (an English Comp. major) and I re-worked it for them as, "One Need Hear It, Lest One Disbelieve," but they didn't think that was catchy enough.
This reminds me of when advertisers tout sales at which shoppers can "save 25% off." If an item is typically $100, and 25% off is $75, wouldn't saving 25% off mean you're really saving $75?
Less than what? -- is what I always ask. Now, don't tempt us to discuss the virgule in the title of your blog.
I believe Tropicana is right, but could have simply said "Half the Sugar & Calories". Maybe they added the word "less" because someone in marketing thought it would make the product more appealing to people watching their sugar & calorie intake. I think "1/2 Less" is rather redundant, because half automatically implies a reduction.
I am not sure why you would think that "1/2 Less" would be equal to "50% more". One-and-a-half is the same as 50% more, but "1/2 Less" is taking half of the sugar & calories and throwing them away, leaving you with "1/2 Less".
I also don't understand why doug believes that 25% off $100 equals saving $75, thus only having to pay $25. Simple math states: $100 x 25% (0.25) = $25. So saving 25% off $100 means you save $25 dollars off $100, paying $75 for the item.
I agree with doc in that this is a great blog. I enjoy reading what you have posted so far and look forward to future posts.
Andy Ray, my friend and I like to sing rap songs in correct English, it's rather fun.
Johnny, my God, that's gotta be hilarious!
Hockeygator, I don't think "25% off $100 equals saving $75." I think that saving 25% off $100 equals saving 75%.
Break it down:
25% off $100 = $75
SAVING 25% off $100 = SAVING $75
No?
Hey, at least they didn't say "50% fewer sugar!"
(In one of the more hilarious conversations I've been a part of, one of my friends declared, "Yeah, well you have fewer intelligence than me!")
Great blog.
I agree with Hockeygator on the 1/2 less issue.
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