MathPlus's definitions

Singapore

A “tuition nation” where your grade six exam score more or less determines your future—the fear of failing and not getting into a school of choice reduces your chances of a decent or quality education, because the top or popular schools have “better teachers” and more resources.

Because of its high-stakes exams, Singapore is probably the world’s most stressful country for a child to experience a normal childhood—and she will be at a disadvantage if her parents can’t afford to send her for private tuition.

by MathPlus July 11, 2018

Singapore Math

A form of “mathematical acupuncture” that could relieve non-Singapore teachers and students of math anxiety, if they experiment with problem-solving heuristics like the bar model method and stack model method, while experiencing the pain of brain-unfriendly questions.

Although a number of countries that embraced Singapore math have seen significant improvement in their students’ math scores, however, without parental and societal pressures for a nation to become numerate, at best cosmetic changes would result even with the best math curriculum in place.

by MathPlus July 14, 2018

Math as Propaganda

When both developed and developing nations are receptive to adopting a foreign or an alien math curriculum, or part of it, because of its rich or creative content—when they recognize that there is much to gain and no political agenda in embracing it.

Singapore, an island-state that has punched above its academic or economic weight, is using math as propaganda to endear itself to both rich and poor nations—its top ranking in international comparative studies like PISA and TIMSS adds weight to its mathematical credential.

by MathPlus July 16, 2018

Comfortably Uncomfortable

When you decide not to let unpredictability or uncertainty affect you and your future—you have come to terms that you have got to live with chaos, no matter how disruptive it can be in putting up a brake to your life’s goals.

Instead of blaming events or things that he’s no control over, John has learned to be comfortably uncomfortable in coping with life’s challenges—he doesn’t let bad breaks or misfortunes affect his attitude towards life; instead, he’s grateful that he can rely on God’s wisdom to overcome whatever obstacle comes his way.

by MathPlus July 20, 2018

The Hotdog Formula

When you design your customer’s experience in such a way that it ends up on a high note—think of IKEA customers looking forward for their favorite hotdog after they have frustratingly lined up to the check-out counters.

To get the customers to return, apply the hotdog formula to your business: offer them something positive, which would make them forget about any inconveniences they’ve experienced—put them in a positive frame of mind at the end of their shopping trip.

by MathPlus July 26, 2018

Rogue Editor

An unethical “word doctor” who has no qualms divulging his company’s publishing secrets to the competitors to enhance his visibility or marketability, so that he can poached by them if he gets fired or retrenched.

Jack was dismissed within hours after his boss found out that he was leaking the company’s new titles to a key competitor, which had since recruited the rogue editor without questions.

by MathPlus August 7, 2018

Corrupt Zeros

Millions or billions of dollars that were channeled by businessmen or corporations to the personal bank accounts of corrupt politicians or ministers in exchange for mega projects.

Malaysia’s ex-prime minister is convicted of money laundering for accumulating extra corrupt zeros into his bank account, who claimed that the obscene amount was a generous donation from a Saudi prince as a reward for supporting Saudi Arabia in her fight against terrorism.

by MathPlus August 9, 2018