When someone describes the math taught in Singapore schools as being too difficult to understand, or complains that young students are unhealthily exposed to an obscene number of brain-unfriendly math questions—“cheem” means “deep” in the Chinese dialect Hokkien.
Ahmad who could hardly understand Mr. Goon’s lessons told his parents: “Singapore math, so cheem. I gave up!”
by MathPlus May 14, 2021
Get the Singapore Math, So Cheemmug. When math educators in America are pushing for their states and schools to embrace the Singapore math curriculum, or part of it, to raise the mathematical proficiency of their students—Singapore is often touted as a model for quality math education that is achievable via wallet-friendly good-quality textbooks.
Trump’s white “patriots” and diehard blue-collar supporters in red states are against the “Make US Math Singapore Math” slogan, as they’re allergic to any form of alien math infiltrating their local schools.
by MathPlus October 3, 2021
Get the Make US Math Singapore Mathmug. When the methodology and pedagogy used in Singapore math textbooks and supplementary titles (foreign and local editions) at the same grade are believed or perceived to be equivalent, yet the level of difficulty of the brain-unfriendly questions in both editions differs significantly—the tailor-made overseas editions are often one or two grades lower than the local one.
US math educators need to take note of the same-same-but-different Singapore math titles to temper their expectations of their students’ mathematical proficiency compared to that of their Singaporean counterparts.
by MathPlus August 30, 2021
Get the Same-Same-But-Different Singapore Mathmug. Communities and countries (or schools and states) around the globe with the highest and lowest levels of adoption of the Singapore math curriculum, or part of it—which incorporates the best methodologies and pedagogies from both the East and the West—with some demographic or racial groups more receptive to embracing this alien math program than others.
The geography of Singapore math reveals a strong support among American homeschoolers and white middle-class families, who order tens of thousands of math titles every year from the “fine” city-state.
by Numerati April 7, 2025
Get the The Geography of Singapore Mathmug. When publishing houses in the “fine” city of Singapore give their oft-half-baked editorial staff and their semi-inept bosses an ultimatum: commit to high-quality publishing (with limited or quasi-zero resources) and willingness to go the extra (second) mile and helping the company to achieve exponential profitability.
In the Muskification of Singapore math exercise, some morally bankrupt managing editors and publishing managers have further slashed the already-low budget for proofreaders, reviewers, and consultants—editors and writers are expected to wear multiple hats while producing wallet-happy titles.
by Numerati January 31, 2025
Get the The Muskification of Singapore Mathmug. A girly form of practical pseudo-street math promoted on social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which makes someone feel that they are getting a good deal or bargain, or that they are smartly saving rather than splurging their cash away.
“Singapore Math” is a cousin of “Girl Math.” It’s like freely or unashamedly taking home a dozen-plus sachets of sugar, salt, ketchup, and chili sauce from McDonald’s, when you’ve only ordered the cheapest set meal on offer.
by Numerati October 24, 2025
Get the Singapore Mathmug. When uninhibited math educators in the “fine” city of Singapore have started posing word problems that use rogue characters who exhibit the idiocies and idiosyncrasies of Mr. Pinocchio and his team of morally corrupt lawmakers and semi-innumerate advisors.
The Trumpification of Singapore math has sprung a dozen-odd politically incorrect titles that aim to hone students’ and parents’ critical thinking skills in mathematics.
by Numerati March 20, 2024
Get the The Trumpification of Singapore Mathmug.