The Sanitization of Singapore Math

When fertile or fitting real-life or contextual questions and math tidbits or humor in a math textbook, submitted to Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) for approval, are often rejected for politically incorrect reasons, or because the items could potentially be perceived to be linked to politics, race, religion, or sex.

Items like “Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not divide by zero!” and phrases like “beautiful curves,” “immoral algebra,” and “juicy little theorem” are banned without being given valid reasons—aren’t these rejections part of the sanitization of Singapore math to only publish sterilized or sterile contents to satisfy the mathematical wants of a humorously or prudishly challenged audience or readership?

by MathPlus September 5, 2021

The Four “F” Words in Math

FEAR of not understanding the new math concepts.

FRUSTRATION in struggling to make sense of the concepts.

FATIGUE from mental stress and emotional pain in grasping the concepts.

FAILURE in mastering and applying the concepts.

Winners have not only banned the four-letter F-word from their vocabulary when faced with the most disliked school subject, but they have also refused to let the four “F” words in math rent a space in their minds.

by MathPlus January 8, 2018

national kiss the person who sits left of you in math and history day

Yep January 13 is national kiss the person who sits left of you in math and history day

Hey why did you kiss me?
Well don't you know? It's January 13 and you sit left to me in math and history

Oh ok cool, I love national kiss the person who sits left of you in math and history day

by anonymous January 12, 2023

The Zombification of Singapore Math

When math writers and publishers in the “fine” city of Singapore discover that math-anxious students are more inclined or motivated to solve brain-unfriendly word problems or fiendish questions that involve ghosts, vampires, zombies, and other paranormal or satanic figures rather than those dealing with humans or animals.

The zombification of Singapore math has alarmed a number of conservative or puritan parents and homeschoolers both locally and abroad, especially in red-pilled states that have a significant proportion of ultra-MAGA or anti-woke voters.

by Numerati January 20, 2024

The Trumpification of Singapore Math

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

The Bitcoinization of Singapore Math

When Bitcoin becomes not only the currency of choice among math educators and homeschoolers worldwide when ordering math books from the “fine” city online, but is also popular among an increasing number of local math authors who prefer their royalty to be paid in crypto.

The bitcoinization of Singapore math has propelled the city-state to lead the way in blockchain technology and math education, much to the envy of math educators around the globe.

by Numerati March 21, 2024

The Calendarization of Singapore Math

When Grades 1–6 math questions from the “fine” city of Singapore are creatively or subtly presented on a printed, friendly, colorful calendar rather than through traditional channels like boring textbooks and workbooks, a change of platform often works wonders for math-anxious kids and their parents.

Social media and e-learning platforms are often hyped by publishing houses to market their math products, whereas the calendarization of Singapore Math could be a more effective and cheaper vehicle for raising numeracy in the general public.

by Numerati March 14, 2026