Numerati's definitions

Pinointed

Short for “Pi Anointed.” When someone is believed to be specially chosen by some cosmic or invisible forces on high to disseminate tidbits or factoids about the irrational and transcendental number π to bring joy not only to the mathematical community, but also to an oft-math-anxious lay public.

Dr. Paulos credits the Holy Spirit for giving him insight or wisdom about all things π-related—his friends think that he’s pinointed for christening hundreds of π definitions or phrases on cyberspace.

by Numerati August 5, 2025

Predictive Pi

When both mathematicians and AI could forecast new mathematical results on the number π based on published papers and from recently awarded pi-related research grants.

Predictive pi has somewhat democrarized previously secretive research conducted by both pure and applied mathematicians around the globe.

by Numerati August 19, 2025

Rogue Ratios

Quantitative bad deals whereby enslaved workers or employees are being taken advantage of by their bosses or entrepreneurs, who have financial control over their lives, be it five days of work in exchange for a weekend break (5 : 2)—an investment of –60%—or a two-week annual leave (2 : 52), or a 5% savings rate on gross salary for 40 years.

Millions of people around the world are aware of the rogue ratios that force them to live a mediocre life, but only a very percentage of them think they can work for a better ratio to achieve financial freedom.

by Numerati August 17, 2023

MAL Math

Short for “Mar-a-Lago Math.” Questions that creative math educators love to pose to expose the dark businesses and malpractices that often take place there between Mr. Pinocchio and his entourage of rogue advisors and morally corrupt lawmakers: shady deals, illicit affairs, illegal storage of classified documents, doctored valuations, and the like.

One billion-dollar MAL math question that has divided real estate agents and bankers is the value of the notorious Floridian private club, which ranges wildly from $18 million to over $1 billion.

by Numerati December 10, 2023

Fight-or-Flight Math

When it is humanly understandable to give up instead of persevering when faced with a false start or failure in solving a math problem—when the pain-and-gain mindset is often missing among struggling or frustrated students, who mistakenly thought that only those blessed or born with the “mathematical gene” could do math.

Fight-or-flight math makes it hard for us to think clearly, logically, and reflexively. Let not negative emotions take control of our reactions.

by Numerati August 8, 2024

Pinergy

When the presence of the number π in a headline or image makes it more likely to be read even by someone who would normally have zero interest in the message.

Successful copywriters know that some pinergy in a copy could lure the readership by a few folds.

by Numerati December 8, 2023

Tharmanomics

When economists observe that the fruit of choice among a large proportion of religious or superstitious folks is now the pineapple (which is offered as food to hungry ghosts or spiritual vagabonds, who have descended from hell to earth during the Hungry Ghost Festival or Seventh Month), thus making them hypothesize whether there is any correlation between the switch of fruit and Singapore’s newly elected President’s use of the pineapple symbol during his recent electoral campaign.

Would Tharmanomics last as long as the “fine” city’s ceremonial head of state remained in office, which could be a dozen years (if he’s re-elected after serving his first six-year term)?

by Numerati September 3, 2023