(四)double (增加1倍),treble(增加2倍),quadruple(增加3倍)。(⑨) Eg. The efficiency of the machines has been more than trebled or quadrupled. 这些机器的效率已提高了2倍或3倍多。
(五)此外,英语中还有一种用again而不用倍数词来比较倍数的方法,如: A is as much (large,long,…)again as B.(= A is twice as much (large,long,…)as B.(⑩) 应译为:A比B多(大,长,……)1倍。 A is half as much (large, 1ong,…)again as B. 【= A is one and a half times as much (large, 1ong,…)as B.】(11) 应译为:A比B多(大,长……)一半(即A是B的一倍半)。
倍数减少
(一)A is n times as small (light,slow,…)as B.(12) A is n times smaller (lighter, slower,…) than B.(13) 以上两句均应译为:A的大小(重量,速度,……)是B的1/n[或A比B小(轻,慢,……)(n-1)/n]。 Eg. The hydrogen atom is near1y l6 times as light as the oxygen atom. 氢原子的重量约为氧原子的1/16(即比氧原子约轻15/16)。 Eg. This sort of membrane is twice thinner than ordinary paper. 这种薄膜比普通纸张要薄一半(即是普通纸厚度的1/2)。 注:当相比的对象B很明显时,than/as B常被省去。
(二)decrease n times/n--fold (14) decrease by n times(15) decrease by a factor of n(16) 以上三式均译为:减少到1/n[或:减少(n-1)/n]。 decrease常被reduce, shorten, go/slow down等词替代。 Eg. Switching time of the new-type transistor is shortened 3 times. 新型晶体管的开关时间缩短了1/3(即缩短到2/3)。 Eg. When the voltage is stepped up by ten times, the strength of the current is stepped down by ten times. 电压升高9倍,电流强度便降低9/10(即90%)。Eg. The equipment reduced the error probability by a factor of 5. 该设备误差概率降低了4/5。