MathPlus's definitions

Pi Poop

Mean or shitty statements uttered at the number π by other constants, or by some real and imaginary numbers, that are numerically or symbolically envious or jealous of her popularity or fame in many branches of mathematics.

“Pi is a chameleon that changes its value according to the situation she is in to appear ever useful.” or “π is an overrated irrational number that has bedeviled so many vain mathematicians, who have spent much of their working lives misusing obscene amounts of computer power to reveal as many digits of hers as possible.” or “Pi wants to be selfishly associated with the circle, which is arguably the most beautiful curve in mathematics.” Are these rantings mere pi poop to discredit the most beloved constant in mathematics?

by MathPlus October 9, 2021

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

Rainbow Math

When liberal publishers in some Western countries decide to green-light math titles by LGBT+ authors in spite of the high risk of offending or alienating conservative potential customers—when they argue that sexual orientation and math publication needn’t be mutually exclusive.

Radical Islamist groups from rogue nations like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Iran have warned foreign publishers that their publications would be removed from bookstores if they’re caught shipping rainbow math titles to both Mohammedans and “infidels.”

by MathPlus October 10, 2021

Void Deck

Singapore’s empty zones on the ground floor of apartment blocks, where children play in the mornings and senior citizens play Chinese chess or complain about unpopular or unfair government policies at dusk, aimed at encouraging communal interaction among the bored residents.

To what extent have void decks in the “fine” city of Singapore strengthened social cohesion and religious harmony among the different races in the last half century? Does it sound like another socially engineered attempt by the authorities to maintaining peace and order in the multicultural and multiracial island-state?

by MathPlus October 11, 2021

Dysnauxia

An oft-unspoken disability whereby someone could hardly distinguish between the letter “O” and the number 0, often mistaking one for the other—the disorder was coined after the word “naught” for nothing, nil, or zero.

Guesstimate how many people worldwide suffer from some form of dysnauxia.

by MathPlus October 11, 2021

Math in the Dark

When problem solving with the lights off could help trigger your imaginary thinking, which could be a catalyst to experiencing that aha! moment in producing a creative or elegant solution to a wicked math problem.

Guesstimate many math educators worldwide could get their imaginations light up if they decided to do math in the dark—when darkness triggers their intuition for that long-awaited lateral solution.

by MathPlus October 12, 2021

Delta Math

Fiendish math questions posed by mean or sadistic math teachers that leverage on the deadlier delta to further terrify an oft-semi-innumerate lay public, who are often more fearful about discriminants and differentials than variants and vaccines.

Guesstimate what percentage of math anxious folks globally are more scared of delta math than the delta variant itself.

by MathPlus October 12, 2021