Numerati's definitions

The Trumpification of Singapore Math

When uninhibited math educators in the “fine” city of Singapore have started posing word problems that use rogue characters who exhibit the idiocies and idiosyncrasies of Mr. Pinocchio and his team of morally corrupt lawmakers and semi-innumerate advisors.

The Trumpification of Singapore math has sprung a dozen-odd politically incorrect titles that aim to hone students’ and parents’ critical thinking skills in mathematics.

by Numerati March 20, 2024

The Muskification of Singapore Math

When publishing houses in the “fine” city of Singapore give their oft-half-baked editorial staff and their semi-inept bosses an ultimatum: commit to high-quality publishing (with limited or quasi-zero resources) and willingness to go the extra (second) mile and helping the company to achieve exponential profitability.

In the Muskification of Singapore math exercise, some morally bankrupt managing editors and publishing managers have further slashed the already-low budget for proofreaders, reviewers, and consultants—editors and writers are expected to wear multiple hats while producing wallet-happy titles.

by Numerati January 31, 2025

The Man Who Mistook Pi for Pie

When on hearing the sound of the number π, an autistic person or idiot savant thinks of a slice of a cake or pizza instead, or equates either word for something else that is unmistakably alien or paranormal.

Just as the man who mixed up his job for his life, Prof. Paulos, who mildly suffers from schizophrenia, occasionally sounds like the man who mistook pi for pie.

by Numerati December 28, 2023

Sin-Conscious

When someone frequently asks themselves whether or not they could use the sine rule or any sine-related formula to solve an unfamiliar sexy-looking geometry or trigonometry question.

When asked before a group of math educators at a church meeting if he sees himself as sin-conscious, David was tongue-tied, because he’s not sure if it’s a math or morality question: Could they be asking him if he easily succumbs to temptation when, say, seeing a scantily clad woman in public or on Facebook or on magazine covers?

by Numerati August 20, 2023

Precalculus

A euphemistic term for a course study on middle-school and high-school algebra and trigonometry for those who have to read calculus, or who have flunked their calculus before—a prerequisite for those who sign for STEM modules in college.

Without precalculus, the chances of someone graduating with a STEM degree are quasi-zero.

by Numerati June 19, 2025

one googolth

1/10¹⁰⁰, in numerals. The probability for the hundreds of prophecies recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible about the Messiah, Savior, or “Chosen One” to be fulfilled.

With an infinitesimal chance of one googolth that Jesus, the Son of God, would come down from heaven to earth to save mankind from eternal death is nothing short of a miracle.

by Numerati December 20, 2024

Wokie Pi

When the number π is aware of injustice and discrimination against other fellow mathematical constants that have not got the same opportunity or media coverage as her, but she is indifferent to all that because speaking up and out about these issues or biases is not to her benefit.

Wokie pi doesn’t want to rock the mathematical boat that has ferried her to so many areas of interest patronized by mathematicians and math educators.

by Numerati December 25, 2024