MathPlus's definitions

Corona Tattoo

When ICU patients decide to have a tattoo to remember for the rest of their lives that they were given a second chance to live, when the odds of their recovering from Covid-19 were quasi-zero.

Jeff had a corona tattoo of the green angry-looking coronavirus on his arm, which is often depicted on health pamphlets to warn the public of the risks of not wearing a face mask and not practicing social distancing in public places.

by MathPlus June 25, 2021

Samurai Math

Shortcuts that short-circuit hours of learning and practicing formal or traditional problem-solving methods to solving certain types of math problems.

Instead of spending hundreds of hours mastering the basics of school algebra, mature students or working adults with no formal education could be taught some quick-and-kill Samurai math methods, such as the Sakamoto method and the Stack Model Method.

by MathPlus August 22, 2017

Covid Trump

The name a Trump “patriot” had given his baby to remind him that his illegitimate son was born on the day he nearly lost his life, when he took part in the January 6 insurrection to unsuccessfully help the ex-president be re-elected undemocratically.

Diehard Trumpists or alt-right white supremacists would show unwavering loyalty to their Insurrectionist-in-Chief, and christening their newborn “Covid Trump” is one such faithful act of allegiance to the “anointed” one.

by MathPlus June 17, 2021

Brexit Math

Also known as “Boris Math.” When hardcore math educators, most of whom are white supremacists or racists, object to using wallet-friendly, better-quality foreign math textbooks under the guise of protecting local authors and publishers, or are opposed to recruiting foreign math teachers and lecturers to teach in local schools and universities, because their presence unprovenly threatens the livelihoods of locals, who would find it hard to compete with cheaper foreign talents.

PM Johnson and his diehard supporters would fight hard to maintain Brexit math for nationalistic reasons, because any compromise to let in alien mathematical talent would be perceived as going against their Brexiteer principles—math and math education must be local, and not adulterated by foreign elements.

by MathPlus October 2, 2021

Creative Accounting

A quick way of getting promoted if you are an employee, or a relatively safe way of retiring prematurely if you are the employer, as long as you don’t get caught.

Unlike the negative image associated with creative accounting, other creative activities like creative writing and creative thinking are looked upon positively.

by MathPlus January 9, 2019

Math as a Verb

When math learning goes beyond learning facts, figures, and applications; instead, math is humanized so that it is allowed to convey beauty, values, truth, justice, play, and love—when mathematical thinking is viewed as a way of life.

Teachers should present math as a verb, not as a noun—when students should be encouraged to be active players, not mere spectators.

by MathPlus January 8, 2019

Inflation

When even with more money today, you can only afford to buy fewer goods and services than in the past—your future buying power is reduced as basic necessities like food, water, and gas get dearer each time.

Inflation explains why the price of a math book in 1960 was 30 cents, but the same type of book today costs 30 dollars, or why a ten dollars’ worth of cookies today only cost 30 cents half a century ago.

by MathPlus January 4, 2019