Matherapy

When indulging in some math-related activity or project could serve as a powerful wellness practice, be it reading a pop or recreational math book, or solving some math puzzles or trickies, or philosophizing about simple or abstract math concepts or proofs.

Prescribing matherapy to her patients—even to those who’d had a negative experience of school math, or who’d called themselves a “nonmath person”—Dr. Janice is encouraged by their high healing success rate—no side effects as a result of zero prescription of medication and pseudoscientific therapies.

by Numerati March 30, 2025

Pi as Propaganda

When the number π is used to draw attention to herself through posters, banners, and graffiti in public places, because these oft-powerful images can influence or change people’s minds about the mathematical constant.

Unlike other noteworthy but struggling constants like e and 𝜙, π has continually succeeded to be part of popular culture, because she believes that “pi as propaganda” is an effective marketing tool to remain relevant in the minds of both math and nonmath people.

by Numerati November 23, 2024

Alien Pi

When a mean neighbor had come in the middle of the night, while you were away, to mow your lawn flattened in the shape of the number π, which your consoling community claimed to be a “crop circle” signifying an advanced civilization, most likely caused by some extraterrestrial visitors.

Mr. Paulos made a police report about his lawn probably being vandalized by some inconsiderate alien pi forces.

by Numerati November 12, 2023

Working Out Pi

When both professional and amateur mathematicians worldwide go beyond calculating the number π to billions of digits to often set up world records—their effective algorithms or methods or formulas used to achieve these high-precision calculations also directly or indirectly help usher in new developments in mathematics.

The mathematical brethren’s quest for working out pi is like MAGA patriots doing all they can to ensure that their cult leader gets reelected by any means, legal or not.

by Numerati February 10, 2025

PAPralysis

When Singaporeans and permanent residents often feel powerless or helpless how to improve their standard of living in the midst of a rising cost of living, and with most local and foreign companies unspokenly preferring to recruit foreign rather than local talents, because they are a cheaper and submissive source of labor—locals and PRs feel that the half-century-old ruling party is quasi-clueless how to help them.

Is PAPralysis a bona fide word for Scrabble?

by Numerati March 26, 2025

The Uberization of Singapore Math

When students, teachers, and homeschoolers could access affordable or quasi-free quality grades K–12 math resources based on the math curriculum from the “fine” city of Singapore, by bypassing traditional channels of distribution or mercenary middlepersons.

Thanks to print on demand (POD), the Uberization of Singapore math has significantly leveled the playing field for self-published authors and small publishers, as they needn’t rent a warehouse to store their books and rely on cut-throat distributors and bookstores to sell their titles.

by Numerati June 17, 2025

Mathematical Purrfection

When educators who are cat lovers love to pose creative math questions—and mathematical quickies or trickies—that center around their pets (or “masters of the house”), or are attracted by real-life word problems that embrace the feline family.

Two brain-unfriendly questions that exhibit mathematical purrfection are:

1. At a Cats’ Café, how many cute kittens are there if there are 9 more legs than tails?

2. Guesstimate the average cat bill at the veterinarian over her lifestyle.

by Numerati June 18, 2025