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"until" can mean "before"?

guntank

guntank

Indonesia

I often find sentences using "until".

But I am still confused when I use the word for precise context such as in Physics or Mathematics.

Let consider the  following example:

The force is applied to the object at t=0 second until t=10 second.

My question is

Is the force still applied at t=10 second?

Thank you in advance.

 

regards,

guntank

01:03 AM Jun 18 2010 |

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Radunagi

Radunagi

United States

The force is applied at the very instant of 10 seconds. 

 

Or you can look at it this way: the force stops applying after 9.99999… seconds, right?  9.999999…. = 10. 

 

so if the force is applied from t-0 to t-10, the force is applied for 10 seconds.

07:50 AM Jun 18 2010 |

guntank

guntank

Indonesia

So you implied that "until" can mean "before" right?

Other example:

This engine is still working until you push the STOP button.

This sentence means that before I push the STOP button, the engine is still working, right?

 

Thank you.

 

regards,

 

guntank

 

08:58 AM Jun 18 2010 |

tiffintime

tiffintime

Sri Lanka

Maybe, this would be clear as mud:

before the time t=10  AND/PLUS at the time t=10

In other words, right upto when the time t=10.

For example: I was watching TV until my wife arrived home – means that you were watching TV before your wife arrived AND also at the moment your wife arrived.

12:15 PM Jun 18 2010 |

night_crawler

Philippines

maybe yes,

06:05 AM Jun 21 2010 |

staplets

United States

'Until'  means 'the other action stops at this time:'  The first action continues up to and stops at that time.

So,  The force is applied to the object at t=0 second until t=10 second.  means that the force STOPS being applied at t=10 seconds.  

 

 

12:42 AM Jun 25 2010 |