Definitions by Fasters
Pittern
A tessellated diagram that at first glance may not look like it was produced by the number π, but on closer look, it reveals a figure patterned solely by the mathematical contant positioned in different orientations.
Heavenly Math
How mathematics is used in cultural astronomy, such as in figuring out the date of Chinese New Year or the start date of Ramadan (the fasting month for Muslims)—both dates depend on the phase of the moon.
One unexpected draw to heavenly math is that it often draws arts and humanities students to discover the sciences behind astronomy, especially those who have an irrational fear of numbers.
Heavenly Math by Fasters March 23, 2022
Pitin
What foes of Russia’s dictator-turned-murderer calls him on Pi Day, the most important date in the mathematics calendar—when angry math educators worldwide throw pies made of manure at portraits or pictures of him.
On Cloud Pi
The latest e-commerce shiny object, where math educators’ memories of Pi Day events are stored in the cloud and can be downloaded for a fee—charges are based on a customer satisfaction index (CSI), which ranks each memory or story in proportion to the degree of pleasure or satisfaction it brings.
With schools unlikely to open for another year, which by then the pandemic is predicted to have subsided, being on cloud pi is the closest experience for math students and teachers to vicariously be on cloud nine on the most important date in the mathematics calendar.
On Cloud Pi by Fasters March 9, 2022
Two’s a Crowd
An undesirable situation for diners, because the pandemic has decimated so many lives worldwide that the authorities would allow foodcourts and restaurants to operate only if they limit to no more than one person per table at any time of the day.
Jeff was fined $3,000 the second time for breaking the “Two’s a crowd” rule twice, this time round for being caught at a fast-food outlet with an ex-colleague whom he’d not met for over a decade.
Two’s a Crowd by Fasters March 6, 2022
Woke Pi
When a very small percentage of white privileged parents in some red states want public schools to fine or fire math and science teachers who preach that the number π is irrational; instead, they want them to teach that pi’s “true” value is three, citing 1 Kings 7:23 and 2 Chronicles 4:2 in the Bible as “proof” for their claim.
Mathematical Shrine
A shelf that displays your math memorabilia (abacuses, slide rules, polygonal stamps, math-related postcards, 3D wooden puzzles, topology toys, …) that are likely to be a topic of conversation as friends and strangers visit your home.
Ian’s mathematical shrine is made up of origami polyhedrons, magic card tricks, Napier’s rods, vintage calculators and clocks, and Lilliputian math books.
Mathematical Shrine by Fasters February 24, 2022