Numerati's definitions

Pimester

A period of about π months, as a division of the duration of a woman’s pregnancy, which is less than a hundred days.

Janette’s craving for pineapples and prawn mee went unabated during her pimester.

by Numerati August 14, 2025

Wasan

The native Japanese mathematics that was developed independently during the Edo period (1603–1868)—when Japan was isolated from the rest of the world, and when math was enjoyed as a pastime by both adults and children, and by folks of all social classes.

Wasan was replaced by its Western counterpart after the start of the Meiji era (1868–1912)—when Japan opened up to the West, and local scholars started adopting Western mathematical techniques.

by Numerati September 12, 2023

Mathematical Do-ness

Forcing or motivating yourself to DO-ing some math to beat your daily laziness, especially if you are glued or addicted to your cell phone or digital device for an unhealthy number of hours every day.

Some mathematical do-ness activities that could help white-collar workers break away from their sedentary lifestyle are:

Walk exactly 6789 steps.

Create an origami geometric shape out of the newspaper.

Learn to do calculus—differentiate and integrate—with a soroban (Japanese abacus).

Count the number of ballpoint pens in your house.

by Numerati July 29, 2025

Banana Pi

The title of a contemporary artwork by a maverick artist, with the number π in different typefaces and fonts randomly spread out on the skin of a banana, whose starting price at an upcoming auction is forecast to be at least US$3.14 million.

A billionaire felon who’s recently pardoned for his years-long crypto crimes is rumoured to be a potential buyer of “Banana Pi,” with the plan to donate it to a presidential library.

by Numerati November 1, 2025

Mathematical Nap

When the aftermath of overworking with too much x's and y's make someone zzz when they doze or nod off.

Prof. Ziz’s mild snore got some mean colleagues take a shot of him having a mathematical nap, which was suspected to be filled with ƶ, ƶ², …, √ƶ, ℤ.

by Numerati December 16, 2024

Growth Mindset in Mathematics

The idea that math educators should focus on effort rather than on results—that failure is part of the success equation, because a set of false starts, failures, and frustrations are often necessary or unavoidable before someone could experience some degree of mathematical progress or achievement.

To fail is no shame, but failure to try again often is. A growth mindset in mathematics is to try or fail again, while failing better or faster each time.

by Numerati December 14, 2024

Pi Needs You!

A humanist manifesto that brings together mathematicians and math educators around the globe to promote the message that math, in particular pi, must be humanized and inclusive rather than indifferent and elitist.

In an age of AI, where machines could spread π misinformation and disinformation, it’s of paramount importance that movements like “Pi Needs You!” reside in the mathematical consciousness of an oft-semi-innumerate lay public.

by Numerati January 5, 2025