MathPlus's definitions

Wayang Math

When someone shows off the success of their exam-smart or pseudo-talented kids or tutees in school or olympiad math, by posting photos of their grades, awards, medals, or certificates on social media, dreaming for a googol likes in return—wayang is a Malay word that mockingly describes someone as being “fake” in the sense that they are putting up an act in front of others.

Guesstimate how many wayang math postings appear on Facebook and Instagram every year by oft-kiasu or egocentric parents to hint to their social circles of their “supernatural” parenting or tutoring skills.

by MathPlus November 13, 2021

X

The letter nonbinary people, who see themselves as neither male nor female, want to use on identification documents like their birth certificate or passport to reflect their gender—preventing them to do so would force them to lie about their true identity.

Although a number of countries allow their citizens to use X and O (for “others”), rather than M or F, on their passport to identify themselves, however, the odds of their being denied entry by border control authorities elsewhere are never zero.

by MathPlus March 17, 2021

Singapore

A highly stressful place where local students are more afraid of failing their math exam than of their parents dying—one in three said that life isn't worth living.

Dubbed an "authoritarian democracy" by critics, Singapore is "a first world oasis in a third world region"—where political dissidents would better apply for asylum in the US or the West to avoid being fined, jailed, or made bankrupt.

by MathPlus March 25, 2017

Psalm 91

The psalm par excellence from the Book of Psalms, in the Bible, which has been used as an effective spiritual weapon by Christian believers time and again to fight against any plague, pandemic, or pestilence.

Guesstimate how many millions of believers (or even pre-believers) worldwide have read or prayed Psalm 91 to seek divine protection against Covid-19.

by MathPlus January 2, 2021

Prime Goal

When the goal in a game is scored at the pth minute, where p is a prime number.

In a 90-minute soccer match, how many possible prime goals are there?

by MathPlus April 25, 2021

Who you have, not what you have

It is the presence of God in your life, not your possessions, that makes you a success—stop chasing material things and start a personal relationship with Him.

You may be financially naked, educationally unqualified, and not connected to people of influence, yet if you've faith in the power of the presence of God in your life, you can expect your nothings to turn into somethings—who you have, not what you have is what matters.

by MathPlus March 15, 2017

Pi in the Sky

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