Mathematical!

An expression that represents extreme happiness or awe.

1. Huckleberry- "Look I can see some young gals about our age skinny dippin' in the river!"

Finn- "Mathematical!"

2. Student- "What is the total of five nickels?"

Teacher- "... Twenty-five cents."

Student- "Mathematical!"

by raindropkisses October 30, 2010

Mathematical Butterfly

When a math educator has emerged from their cocoon to be at zero mercy of a controlling or demanding boss, or of an oft-stifling educational system, to take charge of what they want to do in math or math education in spite of the risks and uncertainties before them.

For the large majority of teachers and tutors, procrastination or the fear of failure has prevented them from becoming the mathematical butterfly God has destined them to be.

by MathPlus July 14, 2021

Mathematical Graffiti

An artist’s lawbreaking pastime, whereby they irreverently paint math-related drawings, formulas, or symbols in forbidden areas or public squares without getting caught by the authorities—the artistic equivalent of a couple illicitly indulging in a quickie with zero public knowledge or suspicion.

Few illegal activities give the mathematical graffiti artist more thrill when working in a pressurized environment, compared to taking part in an annual pressure-free graffiti carnival approved by the authorities.

by MathPlus March 13, 2021

Mathematical Pointillism

The use of small dots rather than a pen, pencil, or Sharpie marker to depict a numeral, geometric figure, formula, or math concept.

Even artists who are allergic to school math could demonstrate their numerical, geometric, or formulaic creativity through mathematical pointillism.

by MathPlus July 9, 2021

Mathematical Weirdo

A math educator who approaches a question or problem from a new angle, by not thinking outside the box, but throwing out the box entirely, to increase their chances of experiencing an aha!

Be it trying to think about a wicked problem from a rogue leader’s viewpoint (like Trump, Putin, or Kim) and see what pops up; or self-imposing a set of rules and a time limit to focus on the issue; or reading the Bible and praying in the Spirit, is what some mathematical weirdos would playfully do to tackle their problem.

by Fasters February 2, 2023

Mathematical Nihilism

The atheistic viewpoint that numbers and geometric shapes don’t exist but are man-made—they are mere human constructs or abstractions that are often used as imperfect tools to make sense of the physical universe, be it for modeling or predicting purposes.

No one has control over numbers outside of their minds; no one can draw a perfect circle or square; solving all those oft-impractical word problems at best shows a certain degree of algorithmic or algebraic proficiency. Are these limitations, imperfections, or formulations mere instances of mathematical nihilism?

by Fasters March 19, 2023

Mathematical Sabbath

One day in a week when you abstain from any mathematical activity—no preparing, no problem solving or posing, no marking—to give the left part of your brain a day off, while inviting the right part to take over.

Your mathematical sabbath could prove to be the most productive day of the week, as you let your logical mind recover and reenergize from a hectic week.

by Numerati August 16, 2023