Math: the Universal Language?

Isn't math supposed to be the universal language? And shouldn't it transcend boundaries? Yet doesn't this look like gibberish to you? Let me just say that it can be tough when Gigi asks us for help with her homework. And it's not just the usual new math vs. old math battle. This is French math vs. American math.

Here's what Gigi's homework looks like:

taken from:http://www.mathovore.fr/divisions-et-problemes-cours-maths-45.php

Now to translate that into American math:

1) Calculate 45 ÷ 8 and 32.12 ÷ 4

A pointer to help you interpret the French method: You may remember that a comma in French numbers means the same thing as our decimal point. So when I write out "1,325" it means 1.325 and not one thousand three hundred twenty-five. Long numbers from the millions on, such as 198,325,410, are written 198 325 410. This is not your phone number, which would be written (01) 98.32.54.10. For numbers from the "milliards" -- which means not "thousands" ("milles") or "millions" ("millions") but, confusingly, "billions" -- this requires a lot of counting of places.

The division process, of course, involves subtraction (which the girls can no longer properly pronounce, since the word in French is "soustraction"). The French don't "borrow" from the tens or hundreds column on the top number when they have to "substract" larger digits below as in

121

 -49

Instead, they add to the column to the left on the bottom number. Gigi and I don't understand each other's methods, and I have to calculate on my own scrap of paper to see if she's done it correctly.

And this is only elementary school. I can only imagine what's going to happen once middle and high school hits.

So, math. Not so much the language that unites us; more like one that divides.