MathPlus's definitions

Covid-⍺

Read as “Covid-alpha.” Also known as the B.1.1.7 or “Alpha” variant. The UK or Kent variant is believed to be the second deadliest variant after the India variant to sweep across a number of countries—however, alpha patients are more than twice less likely to be hospitalized than their delta counterparts.

Covid-⍺, which is estimated to be 40%–80% more transmissible than Covid-19, is

believed to be more infectious because it contains mutations that make it better adapted to evade the immune system, thus allowing it to replicate and potentially find new hosts.

by MathPlus June 21, 2021

Kosong Math

Math titles that come with zero hints and solutions, which is usually a no-no or put-off even for above-average students, who want to study the solutions of brain-unfriendly questions to hone their mathematical problem-solving skills—“kosong” is the Malay word for zero.

It’s not surprising that no matter how creative or fertile the math questions in some kosong math books are, few teachers, much less parents or homeschoolers, are attracted to buying them, which is a double blow for both authors and publishers, which ought to know better that zero solutions often translates into low or no sales.

by MathPlus July 15, 2021

ippiteracy

When someone is not piterate, as they are unaware of falsehoods or white lies about the number π, which might elude even long-serving math teachers and exam-smart parents.

Common signs of ippiteracy among students and teachers are: π = 22/7, pi is defined in relation to a circle or limited to geometry, and π = 3 for biblical literalists.

by MathPlus September 10, 2021

Green Vaccine

A vaccine whose production process must strictly adhere to Islamic principles—one that must be halal, otherwise Mohammedans should reject any vaccination even if having such an “haram jab” would protect them against the coronavirus.

In some parts of the Islamic world, Islamist leaders warn health authorities that any approved green vaccine should only be administered by Muslim doctors and nurses, and not by “infidel” medical personnel.

by MathPlus December 2, 2020

Pandamic

When mathematical modeling shows that the next pandemic would probabilistically come from pandas, as the virus moved from these beloved or cute animals to humans, but the potential source location of infection, be it in a zoo or forest, remains a bone of contention.

Would the next pandemic be pandamic, as people and pandas increase their close contact with each other, thus putting an end to China’s panda diplomacy?

by MathPlus January 4, 2022

J🦠KER

Someone who does a prank by falsely sms-ing friends, colleagues, or relatives, or by lying on social media, that they had contracted Covid-19 and had been warded in an ICU in hospital.

Guesstimate how many corona pranks are being carried out by J🦠KERS every day worldwide, thus creating panic in the family, community, or country.

by MathPlus November 2, 2021

Dodo Christian

A label for a believer of Christ whose spiritual condition is worrisome as they appear to be heading to the side of eternity, where now reside the Hitlers, Stalins, Maos, and Osamas—a global synchronized corporate prayer might help save the souls of these Easter or Christmas attendees.

With atheism as the unspoken religion in most parts of Europe, and with right-wing or religious extremism on the rise in the US and the West, guesstimate how many millions of dodo Christians worldwide might not have their names in the Book of Life.

by MathPlus May 16, 2021