MathPlus's definitions

Samurai Math

Shortcuts that short-circuit hours of learning and practicing formal or traditional problem-solving methods to solving certain types of math problems.

Instead of spending hundreds of hours mastering the basics of school algebra, mature students or working adults with no formal education could be taught some quick-and-kill Samurai math methods, such as the Sakamoto method and the Stack Model Method.

by MathPlus August 22, 2017

Alibaba Graduate

A recipient of the postgraduate computer science scholarship, offered by the Chinese tech Alibaba, which is notorious for condoning fake and pirated goods on its e-commerce site—one who could be recruited as a “rogue hacker” or cyber terrorist for the Chinese Communist Party.

As a recent Alibaba graduate from Singapore, Jack couldn’t turn down the million-dollar job offer to work for one of Alibaba’s security departments, where he’s unspokenly expected to hack foreign IT systems to steal intelligence information for China’s military.

by MathPlus September 4, 2018

Queer Pi

The common value of π covertly used by the LGBT+ mathematical community, which appears to change based on geography for nonobvious reasons.

Statistician Jerry is seeking a “rainbow grant” from some tech companies to determine why queer pi differs in different counties or countries.

by MathPlus October 15, 2021

Singapore Black Friday

An imported American sales event that lures budget-conscious Singaporeans to move beyond window shopping into buying crap they don’t need at discounted prices, which could serve as some kind of stress therapy for overworked or unhappy workers.

From Halloween to Valentine’s Day to Singapore Black Friday, local businesses never fail to leverage on the attractions of foreign festivals, holidays, or events to profiteer from gullible citizens.

by MathPlus April 20, 2018

Follow the cloud, not the crowd.

To be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that you may know God’s Will for you, instead of thinking that you need to be in a large gathering of fellow believers to feel God’s Presence and hear from Him.

God’s Presence or Power isn’t activated only when there’re more believers around, because He’s in their midst even when two or three of them come together—we need to follow the cloud, not the crowd.

by MathPlus January 25, 2018

–, –, +, –, –, +, –, …

The common pattern of Covid-19 test results of most air travelers: tested negative pre-departure and again negative on arrival at their destination, but later tested positive (with zero symptoms) while serving their quarantine at home or in a hotel.

A grade one math question is: “In the corona test series –, –, +, –, –, +, –, …, what are the signs of the next two terms?”

by MathPlus April 15, 2021

Zeeting

Short for “Online meeting on Zoom.” A substitute or good excuse for not showing up in person even when there are zero restrictions for any physical or social gathering.

Tweeting, zeeting, and napping were John’s daily activities during the weeks-long lockdown.

by MathPlus December 11, 2022