Definitions by Fasters

III, I, lV, I, V, IX, … 

The first six digits of mathematics’ most famous constant written in Roman numerals, where only line segments are permissible.

In the sequence III, I, lV, I, V, IX, …, with three primary line segments being used to write the number four or nine in the Roman number system, what will be the least number of line segments needed to write the first thirty-two digits of the decimal number π?

III, I, lV, I, V, IX, … by Fasters June 25, 2022

Golden Pi 

When a picture frame that depicts the number π or pi-related items has its length to its width in the ratio (1 + √5)/2 : 1.

The postmodern artist of “Golden Pi” decided to affix a smaller painting underneath it as an explanatory note to the larger one.

Golden Pi by Fasters June 22, 2022

Algebra 

The branch of mathematics that turns simple-minded students into symbol-minded graduates, who work out the values of unknowns x’s, y’s, z’s with the help of a’s, b’s, c’s.

Algebra helps students to move from the particular to the general, as they learn to speak the language of science.

Algebra by Fasters June 18, 2022

Twitter 

The microblogging platform that could serve as ground zero to explore any potential extraterrestrial life, which would not only help advance both human and alien civilization and consciousness, but also prepare the planet from any future alien invasion, provided the world’s richest man succeeds in buying the money-losing company.

Mr. Musk, who desires to own Twitter, is being sued for $258bn by an investor in the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, who accused him of running a digital pyramid scheme to drive up its price.

Twitter by Fasters June 17, 2022

TOL 

Short for “Thinking Out Loud.” The mathematical equivalent of LOL, which is recommended for students to do, as they discuss with others how to solve a math problem, or articulate which step in a math proof has led to a faux solution or contradictory result.

Math teachers and tutors ought to encourage their students to TOL, because this under-utilized or overlooked habit would help them articulate their mental processes, while allowing others to expose their faux or flawed reasoning, if any.

TOL by Fasters June 14, 2022

Metamates 

What Facebook employees are unofficially being called by fellow geeks, as “the Zuck” shift their attention to the Metaverse or to the world of virtual reality (VR).

Math geeks who are bewitched or mesmerized by what the Metaverse could offer the physical world in coming years or decades have a very high chance of being recruited as Metamates.

Metamates by Fasters June 14, 2022

Pitradamus 

Short for “Pi Nostradamus.” Someone who not only coins π-related terms and popularizes oft-preposterous π concepts, but also predicts π breakthroughs—or makes bold claims on π hypotheses that could be proved or disproved in a-not-too-distant future.

It’s estimated that there are a dozen-odd pitradamuses or “pi futurists” who are unofficially affiliated with higher institutions of learning worldwide—they work as ghost researchers or ghostwriters for tenured math profs.

Pitradamus by Fasters June 14, 2022