Skip to main content

MathPlus's definitions

ZERO 101

An introductory course on the number zero offered at some community colleges as part of the popularization of mathematics to an oft-semi-innumerate public.
How do we pronounce the “101” in “ZERO 101"? One-oh-one? One-zero-one? One-nought-one?
by MathPlus August 26, 2021
mugGet the ZERO 101mug.

Not Anti-God, but Anti-Christ

When opponents of Christianity are hell-bent to devaluing Jesus’ deity, the cross, and His power to forgive all sins, by telling others that Jesus is not the Son of God, but just one of the prophets in the Bible—the lie that their place in paradise is dependent on their good deeds and performing lifelong rituals on earth to an impersonal God rather than through their faith in Jesus’ grace alone and establishing a personal relationship with Him.
It’s not surprising that many religious leaders, who are not anti-God, but anti-Christ, wouldn’t want their followers to know that Jesus’ blood shed on the cross (and not the blood of bulls and goats) is able to forgive all their sins and cleanse them from all unrighteousness, and that through His grace (unmerited favor) by faith (and not through works and rites) that they have eternal life.
by MathPlus July 4, 2021
mugGet the Not Anti-God, but Anti-Christmug.

Singapore Math

The mathematical equivalent of having brown rice rather than white biryani rice. An unsexy, wholesome math curriculum that is healthy to the mind, but brain-unfriendly for most students, who need to force themselves to mastering the concepts confidently.
Like taking cod liver oil, which is good for the body immune system, Singapore math may look unappetizing, but after spending a few hundred hours practicing thousands of nonroutine, impractical or sterile questions, your brain can only get mathematically stronger and healthier.
by MathPlus June 7, 2018
mugGet the Singapore Mathmug.

Don’t be afraid of Covid.

Donald J. Trump’s frighteningly callous or cold-hearted message to Americans not to let the coronavirus control their lives, as if they could just utter a simple prayer for it to go away, for he is the living proof that he has triumphed over the virus thanks to 24/7 world-class medical care and “compassionate drugs,” which very few of them would get access to.
President Trump’s “Don’t be afraid of Covid.” tweet is not only offensive or repugnant to the families and friends of the 210,000-odd people who had died, and of the 7.5 millions who were infected, of Covid-19, but also irresponsible or ill-advised to those who are struggling to protect themselves and those around them.
by MathPlus October 5, 2020
mugGet the Don’t be afraid of Covid.mug.

Grow the Pi

When you give the value of the number π correct to more significant figures or decimal places in order that a better pi approximation could be used in a calculation.
Rocket scientists want to grow the pi to play safe, because working with more digits would help reduce any loss in human lives.
by MathPlus October 10, 2021
mugGet the Grow the Pimug.

911 MASK

The call by Fox News medical advisor, Dr. Tucker Carlson from Trump University, to call 911 if adults in sports attire, or children playing outside, refuse to take off their masks when told to do so, because their unacceptable behavior shows sign of blind obedience to the authorities, which want to deprive them of their personal rights.
The 911 mask call by right-wing media channels is aimed at debunking the outdoor mask myth propagated by alt-leftists, who want to control the lives of millions of uninformed citizens.
by MathPlus May 3, 2021
mugGet the 911 MASKmug.

The Geography of Math

When the mathematical proficiency or quantitative literacy of a country is linked to the location where its math curriculum was formulated—for example, both developed and developing countries that have adopted the Singapore math curriculum, or adapted part of it, have generally performed better than those that are reluctant to take the risks.
Just as the color of the cat doesn’t matter as long as it catches the mouse, so the geography of math shouldn’t be a big concern for parents and politicians if the local or foreign math curriculum could produce a quantitatively literate or numerate citizentry.
by MathPlus April 29, 2021
mugGet the The Geography of Mathmug.

Share this definition