Definitions by Numerati
Hybrid Modeling
A mix of intuitive bar modeling and abstract algebra to solve word problems, which serves as a bridge from pre-algebraic thinking (hidden in the Singapore bar model method) to formal algebraic thinking (involved in solving an equation).
Many middle school students in Singapore are so fluent in the bar model method that teachers and parents find it hard to wean them from it in order to embrace the algebraic method. As a result, some math educators suggest using the blended or hybrid modeling to make the transition less painful.
Hybrid Modeling by Numerati October 17, 2024
What’s the Point of Pi?
The many whys that promoted mathematicians and math educators (or even nonmath people like artists and creatives) to toy around with the number π for centuries, be it to prove a beautiful theorem, promote the constant in popular culture (art, fashion, perfume, cellphone, movie, and the like), collaborate as a community, challenge tradition, leave a mathematical legacy, or show their intelligence.
Like art and philosophy, pi mesmerizes both math and nonmath people in every corner of the globe. No wonder, those outside the pi community would often ask: What’s the point of pi?
What’s the Point of Pi? by Numerati October 16, 2024
Reflective Math
When artists, creatives, or math educators leverage on objects like mirror, glass, and water to bring out the concept and magic of mirror-image or reflection symmetry—when an object or image is indistinguishable from its transformed image.
Reflective Math by Numerati October 14, 2024
Squaring a Supermarket
When math geeks are lured to visiting a supermarket or supermart that sells most things that look like a square or a cube: cheese slices, origami paper, Rubik’s cube, cream crackers, CD-ROM covers, condoms, and the like.
What are the chances that the opening of more “Everything’s a Square” outlets statewide or nationwide would attract both regular and curious customers to squaring a supermarket as they look for new square novelties or collectibles?
Squaring a Supermarket by Numerati October 11, 2024
xtremist
A symbol-minded person who spends most of his waking hours thinking how to solve the value(s) of x in all kinds of equations, or the range of the values of x in inequalities (or inequations).
Zero Fucks
When someone doesn’t give a heck or damn if they feel they were or are right or wrong, even if others didn’t or don’t like them because of it.
Leaders can’t lead their sheep effectively unless they give zero fucks to all those oft-unreasonable or biased complains or protests against them.
Zero Fucks by Numerati October 7, 2024
Silver Bar Modeling
When mathepreneurs see a multi-million dollar business opportunity to provide both resources and training for tens of thousands of seniors who are eager to learn about the “bar model method”—the heart of the Singapore elementary math curriculum—in order to connect and engage with their grandchildren’s and godchildren’s math education.
Publishers and vocational training centers have been pretty slow at taking advantage of the untapped source of revenue offered by the silver bar modeling industry, especially when more seniors are enjoying a longer lifespan in fast-greying Singapore.
Silver Bar Modeling by Numerati October 5, 2024