691 definitions by MathPlus
When the value of the mathematical pi is exactly three, which can be inferred from two verses in the Bible (1 Kings 7:23 and 2 Chronicles 4:2)—the “biblical pi” contradicts the mathematicians’ value, which is about 3.14 or 22/7.
How does one reconcile the value of pi in the sky with the irrational value of pi on earth? Could theologians or theomaticians explain the missing “0.14” bit to the mathematical brethren?
by MathPlus October 17, 2018
When math-anxious or mathophobic folks are prepared to watch a movie on the number π, or to listen to a podcast on it, on a “flight to nowhere,” as they take pride in playing their part to keep their national airline from going under.
Environmental groups have criticized those “Pi in the Sky” vanity flights, which would release millions of tons of carbon dioxide in polluting the environment.
by MathPlus November 4, 2020
The perfect score for an online time-based math test in a lockdown or in the new normal, because for most teachers, 19 is the new 100.
Which flawless score is psychologically less intimidating in assessing home-based learning students: 19/19, 50/50, or 100/100?
by MathPlus July 26, 2021
A counterintuitive, underused strategy that is seldom emphasized in generating creative solutions, compared to the oft-canned strategy of “think outside the box”—better still, if there is no box.
Unlike novices who religiously think out of the box, professionals know that breakthroughs often take place when they reluctantly think inside the box—constraints are the catalyst to creativity.
by MathPlus December 17, 2018
When the decision to vaccinate or not is too important to be left in the hands of so-called health experts, university hospital professors and researchers, pharmaceutical firms, and politicians, who all have a vested interest in promoting vaccination, be it for herd immunity; economic recovery; vaccine diplomacy, supremacy, or nationalism; profiteering; popularity; or politics—their mantra is that the benefits of getting a shot outweigh the risks, whose short-term advice may not always be in the long-term health interest of the general public.
Just because a decent proportion of the population have been partially or fully vaccinated for whatever personal, selfish, or altruistic reasons, this doesn’t mean that others too should blindly or ritually follow suit, because groupthink or the “wisdom of the crowd” doesn’t always translate in all spheres of life, particularly when potential long-term adverse effects associated with nontraditional techniques of producing vaccines cannot be discounted—when vaccine hesitancy is healthy for those who won’t let themselves easily fall for, or be fooled by, any health expert’s recommendation.
by MathPlus June 14, 2021
Three letters academically inclined folks long to insert after their names, as they are set to spend tens of thousands of dollars and slog through thousands of man-hours to earn it—they couldn’t care less whether their dissertations have near-zero value or impact on the outside world or not.
In an age when you can virtually order your fake PhD of any prestigious university for a few hundred bucks in a matter of days, who says that a doctorate degree is meant only for geeks or nerds?
by MathPlus November 13, 2018
Short for “Preaching, Healing, and Delivering.” The title that has spiritually been conferred on every believer of Jesus Christ, who has been commanded to share to pre-believers or unbelievers the Good News of the Lord’s gift of eternal life and His forgiveness of sins, and who has been empowered in the name of Jesus to free people from difficulties, diseases, and demons.
All born-again Christians are conferred a PhD to be fishers of men—to win souls for the Kingdom of God, so that they could end up on the right side of eternity after their last breath.
by MathPlus March 17, 2021