MathPlus's definitions

Singapore

Math educators’ promised land that combines the best practices of math education from the East and the West—one such concoction is the “model method,” the problem-solving heuristic that has had global appeal, especially among homeschoolers in the US, in solving challenging word problems that would traditionally need formal algebra for their solutions.

Due to their stand on democracy and freedom of speech, a number of American educators have stood firm in rejecting Singapore math, although they acknowledged that the math curriculum of the “fine” city is a superior one compared to those used in a number of US states in helping to raise the quantitative literacy of the students.

by MathPlus October 3, 2021

π

A popular sexy numerical figure that is uninhibited to flirt around with other constants or numbers—in most instances, the relationship is purely platonic; however, with some real or imaginary partners, the liaisons look so intimate or passionate that they often evoke an aha! reaction from mathematical voyeurs.

A math book without π is like sex without orgasm.

by MathPlus October 4, 2021

Deltalized

To be infected with the delta variant of Covid-19, which conveys the message to others who contracted the virus earlier that they were “luckier,” because most vaccines responded pretty well to prior variants.

With new waves of the pandemic sweeping many developed countries with high vaccination rates, it appears that vaccination is quasi-effective for a number of deltalized victims.

by MathPlus October 5, 2021

The Model Method

Also known as “Singapore model method,” “bar model method,” or “bar modeling.” A problem-solving visualization strategy whereby the problem solver makes use of rectangles or bars to draw a model diagram to represent how the known and unknown quantities in a given problem situation are related, using a part-whole or comparison model.

Using the model method to solve a word problem involving fraction, ratio, or percentage allows the mind’s eye to better grasp the problem situation by making tacit knowledge more explicit or visible—it’s like a “look-see” proof to a problem for kids.

by MathPlus October 5, 2021

Phi

Also known as B.1.618. The name of the WHO’s yet-to-be-approved label for the sexier and deadlier variant of Covid-19 that arguably exhibits both beauty and symmetry, because the ratio measurements of certain parts of the coronavirus approach the golden ratio—some nickname the variant of interest the “golden variant.”

Where phi first originated, how many countries have so far identified it in their population, and its resistance against the vaccines remain unknown.

by MathPlus October 6, 2021

Vanity Wall

A wall covered with someone’s academic achievements and awards, photos of their posing with some VIPs or ministers, including art paintings and frames of rare stamps and coins.

Guesstimate what percentage of the world’s population in the developed world have a vanity wall at home to impress their relatives, friends, and visitors.

by MathPlus October 7, 2021

Donald Trump

The name of a barking dog that can’t bite, so over time people have got used to tolerating its noise pollution, which could cause an earache or headache at times, when it doesn’t get what it wants.

During the rut, Donald Trump gets pretty aggressive when it has to fight with other domineering dogs to lure the bitch of choice.

by MathPlus October 7, 2021