Fasters's definitions

Pi Pyramidologist

One who numerologically believes that the value of the number π and a number of mathematical formulas are encoded in the structure of the Great Pyramid in Egypt—for example, the perimeter of the base of the Great Pyramid divided by twice its height supposedly gives the value 3.150685.

Pi pyramidologists restrict their attention to the Great Pyramid but ignore other Egyptian pyramids—if the heights and base dimensions of 22 true pyramids were used to calculate π, the value ranges from 2.58 to 4.42.

by Fasters February 10, 2022

Mathematical Weirdo

A math educator who approaches a question or problem from a new angle, by not thinking outside the box, but throwing out the box entirely, to increase their chances of experiencing an aha!

Be it trying to think about a wicked problem from a rogue leader’s viewpoint (like Trump, Putin, or Kim) and see what pops up; or self-imposing a set of rules and a time limit to focus on the issue; or reading the Bible and praying in the Spirit, is what some mathematical weirdos would playfully do to tackle their problem.

by Fasters February 2, 2023

Pi Dance

When the three parts that make up the number π decide to perform a Michael Jackson’s moonwalk in front of a geeky audience.

With three permissible orientations of the legs (/, |, \), show that there are at most six possible movements of the pi dance.

by Fasters June 25, 2022

The Wokenization of Singapore Math

When white Christian nationalists or ultra-MAGA patriots subscribe to the radical pedagogy that adopting (or adapting part of) the Singapore math curriculum would only adulterate theirs, because exposing local students to alien problem-solving strategies and heuristics under the guise of multicultural math or ethnomathematics would only give undue credit to foreign curriculum math specialists and publishers.

A number of white or “woke” curriculum censors are covertly working hand in hand with American textbook publishers to push for the wokenization of Singapore math, with both parties having a vested interest to ensure that dear inch-deep-mile-wide K–12 math textbooks rather than value-for-money foreign math titles inundate as many states and local schools as possible.

by Fasters May 9, 2023

What’s Pi Thinking?

When the irrational number π is paranoid or petrified that some radical elements of the mathematical brethren might conspire together to promote other mathematical constants like e and 𝛷 in gracing the pages of reputable math journals on a regular basis.

A few notable constants have discreetly approached some Fields medalists (the equivalent of Nobel Prize winners in mathematics) in their dreams by revealing to them some of their sexy numerical and geometric secrets after hearing leaked news of “what’s pi thinking?”

by Fasters August 13, 2022

NFTmania

Short for “non-fungible token mania.” The urge or rage to own and invest in dear NFTs—and the desire by artists and creators to sell their digital assets at obscene or outrageous prices.

Is NFTmania the modern-day Tulipmania? A get-rich-quick blockchained scheme that would lead many to poverty or bankruptcy.

by Fasters November 14, 2022

Coronavirus Law

If you suspect you have contracted the coronavirus, you are right—it is like Murphy’s Law applied to the “foreign virus,” especially if you are a diehard Trump loyalist.

A corollary to the Coronavirus Law is: “If you are Covid-19-infected, you will also infect others.”

by Fasters May 6, 2020