Numerati's definitions

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.

An example of reflective math is the equation 3 + 8 = 11, whose image and reflection are the same.

by Numerati October 14, 2024

Trump Figures

Overvalued or inflated numbers or percents issued by an unscrupulous or corrupt businessperson, so that their rogue or shady businesses could secure better loan terms and insurance deals, and would pay lesser tax.

Mr. Pinocchio could be fined up to $250m and be banned from doing business in his home state should he be found guilty of submitting an obscene number of trump figures related to his bigly valued properties.

by Numerati October 2, 2023

Meta-pi

When the number π perpetually ponders about “π”—whether she could forever command trust and respect among fellow numerical constants and in the mathematical community so that they would always think of her first.

Like e and 𝜙, π feels overworked and burned out. What are the odds that to some degree she’d be suffering from the meta-pi syndrome?

by Numerati January 17, 2025

Pivitude

Short for “Pi Servitude.” When fellow numerical constants and numerals are expected to posture to or serve the number π if they want to associate with or get closer to her.

Like a pampered cat, pi demands nothing but pivitude from those trying to court or seduce her.

by Numerati January 23, 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

Pilanthropy

Short for “Pi Philanthropy.” A showy donation by a geeky or vanity billionaire to fund pi research, which could inexplicably or allegedly help save planet Earth from extinction, or which would increase the chances of earthlings communicating with extraterrestrials in order to avoid any mishap that could lead into a galactic war.

Bezos and Branson are donating close to half a billion bucks to the Center of Pi Research—doesn’t their pilanthropy sound like some kind of insincere telescopic philanthropy to distract the skeptical public from questioning why both are paying so little tax on the billions they’d amassed during the pandemic?

by Numerati August 10, 2023