MathPlus's definitions

Math Kaki

The name of the K–12 Singapore math project that aims to help students who are struggling with school math but can’t afford private tuition, or to prevent the unmotivated ones from dropping the world’s most disliked school subject because they are allergic to the teaching style of their teacher or tutor—“kaki” is the Singlish word to describe a close friend or a buddy.

Unlike teachers employed by self-help groups, who tend to be of the same race as that of the students, volunteers from Math Kaki come from all racial groups and economic backgrounds, who have a heart to raise the mathematical proficiency level of those under their charge, regardless of their race, religion, or orientation.

by MathPlus September 19, 2021

Assroll

The last person to use the last piece of the toilet paper roll, with zero motivation to replace it, be it at home or in a public toilet.

Guesstimate the number of assrolls every day in the developed world, who expect their domestic workers at home, or toilet cleaners in public, to do the task for them.

by MathPlus May 23, 2021

Salvation sans Jesus

When someone confesses that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and that God raised Him from the dead is the first step to avoid spending their afterlife on earth in hell—whose sins are forgiven through the cleansing blood of Jesus on the cross.

It’s politically incorrect to lovingly share the “Good News” to nonbelievers that there’s no other way to heaven except through Jesus—the ”Salvation sans Jesus” message that religious leaders from other faiths find insensitive or offensive, but nevertheless true, if they unbiasedly study the Bible.

by MathPlus November 11, 2018

The Four “F” Words in Math

FEAR of not understanding the new math concepts.

FRUSTRATION in struggling to make sense of the concepts.

FATIGUE from mental stress and emotional pain in grasping the concepts.

FAILURE in mastering and applying the concepts.

Winners have not only banned the four-letter F-word from their vocabulary when faced with the most disliked school subject, but they have also refused to let the four “F” words in math rent a space in their minds.

by MathPlus January 8, 2018

Coronials

The generation of babies who saw the light of day during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the coronavirus showing little sign of saying goodbye to earthlings, much to the delight of pharmaceutical companies.

What will be the population size of the coronials when the WHO finally declares the planet corona-free?

by MathPlus December 11, 2022

Mindful Math

Also known as “New Age Math.” When the buzzword “mindful” subliminally conveys the idea that one can master the most disliked school subject, by cultivating a relaxed mind for the brain to focus on what is required in a math question—a mind-over-math approach via meditation and relaxation to reduce fear and failure.

The math education industry hasn’t been spared by the Mindfulness Movement, which is promoting “Mindful Math” programs countrywide to target the math-anxious kids of the rich and the famous—they’re preaching the feel-good gospel that math success is more psychological than logical.

by MathPlus February 7, 2018

Pi Crusade

When some Trumpublicans are prepared to accommodate the request of creationists or evangelicals turned Bible-literalists to legislate the value of π as 3 (in reference to 1 Kings 7:23 and 2 Chronicles 4:2 in the Bible) rather than the approximated 3.14, in exchange for their “holy votes.”

Like their Pharisee-in-Chief boss, who was hell-bent to carry out a pi crusade in a failed attempt to get re-elected, a number of morally bankrupt lawmakers would like to do likewise if tens of thousands of extra votes would swing in their favor to retain their seats.

by MathPlus July 7, 2021