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 24, 2024
The math constant’s equivalent of writer’s block. When the number π frustratingly finds herself facing a blank page with zero output on her part, often spewing out a string of four-letter words.
Unlike her constant counterparts like e and 𝜙, rain or shine, π doesn’t give the excuse of pi’s block to rationalize why she’s semi-productive or unproductive on certain days.
by Numerati August 11, 2024
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 13, 2023
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
Non-trick or non-tricky math questions that you can do at your snail’s pace without worry or fear of having to sit for any killer test or exam—they are recommended for self-confessed folks who pride themselves of being “hopeless at math,” or not being born with the “math gene.”
Mathematical slowies are the opposite of “mathematical quickies,” which are generally solved with some insight, and often accompanied by an occasional aha! reaction.
by Numerati January 19, 2025
That applying math in meeting people’s needs and wants, or in coming up with products of desire, could make you über-rich, because the geeks shalt inherit the earth—think of the founders of Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, TikTok, and Tesla.
Gates, Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Musk are today’s most prominent hate-and-love ambassadors of the math porn movement, whose products or services have led billions of users into technological or digital bondage.
by Numerati September 24, 2024
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.
by Numerati October 17, 2024