Numerati's definitions

Does Pi Love Me?

When you are mathematically tickled why you have been experiencing an aha! on or about the number π pretty frequently recently—for no logical or valid reasons, it is as if pi seems to be infatuated with you.

Besides coming up with a few sexy proofs on some pi-related theorems, I spotted my birthdate and my cellphone number 31,415 digits apart among the first ten thousand digits in the decimal number pi. Sounds like a sign from on high that makes me wonder: “Does Pi love me?”

by Numerati November 5, 2023

Math is for girls, too!

An arguably male chauvinist or sexist slogan that subtly implies that girls and women are inferior in math or logic than boys and men, rather than an attempt to educate an oft-male-biased society that both sexes are equally qualified to read math in college or academia.

The manuscript entitled “Math is for girls, too!” was twice rejected by the publisher, which specializes in DEI and feminist titles, without any reasons whatsoever.

by Numerati July 3, 2025

Naked Pi

When the number π could no longer hide her insecurities before her fellow mathematical constants, because the pressure to appear cool in popular culture is taking a toll on her psychological well-being—when fame and popularity come with such a high price that she could lose everything if she failed to reorder her priorities.

Naked Pi’s psychologist advised her to stop being a people pleaser or rescuer unless she doesn’t mind her fans and foes controlling her life.

by Numerati August 20, 2025

Mathematical Toughies

A term for brain-unfriendly or challenging math questions that generally evoke panic and fear, which may also be accompanied by recurring nightmares, among math-anxious or mathophobic students, parents, and teachers—the opposite of “mathematical slowies.”

For most educated folks, who lack the intelligence or training to solving math contests and olympiad questions, these mathematical toughies are off-putting or repugnant to them.

by Numerati January 24, 2025

Piranoia

When the number π can’t forget or let go of all the things she sees, hears, and does—all the memories, good and bad, haven’t stopped haunting her to the point of affecting her mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

Her piranoia had fellow mathematical constants e and φ worried that she might do something that could endanger her life.

by Numerati January 1, 2025

Null Island

Located at zero longitude and zero latitude (or at 0 degrees north and 0 degrees east) in the South Atlantic Ocean—where the prime meridian meets the equator—where it would be if it actually existed.

Null Island is a mélange of real and imaginary geography, of mathematical certainty, and pure fantasy.

by Numerati September 29, 2024

Piranormal

When the number π is apparently bestowed or blessed with paranormal or metaphysical properties, which could help divine the trajectory of the human race or some alien civilization if numerologists could decipher the patterns of its seemingly random digits.

Prof. Paulos plans to dedicate his golden years uncovering the piranormal secrets of mathematics’s most famous constant to protect the planet from extraterrestrial invasion.

by Numerati November 22, 2023