Chapter Discussion: Goblet of Fire Ch 3: The Invitation

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 191373


> 7. JKR seems unaware that quarters are supposed to be four *equal* parts. Do you think the books would be different if she had more of a head for math?
> 
> Potioncat then: I think she knew and was making a little joke.
<snip>
Potioncat now: Seems like everyone agrees with me. But let's look closer, in one of the Sorting Hat songs, he---it---says his job is to "quarter" the students. If the Hat is supposed to place each student in the best House--then he wouldn't be dividing them into 4 equal parts, would he? 

Well, we know JKR says she's bad at maths, and we've seen lots of examples of it in the books. So, yes, to answer the actual question, the books would have been more precise had she understood maths better.