MathPlus's definitions

Why Can’t Math Be Like Sex?

If teachers and textbook authors would creatively present the oft-sterile math curriculum in a form that would get students excited about the beauty of the subject, by not adulterating but contextualizing the content—by letting learners see both the mathematical forest and the trees.

Mathematics is too important to be left in the hands of mostly uncreative authors or publishers; as a result, teachers and parents would need to sexify the most boring subject in school—they need to ask, “why can’t math be like sex?” to lure unmotivated or mathophobic students.

by MathPlus December 1, 2018

The Uber of Math Education

An agile math curriculum that often incorporates the best math methodologies and pedagogies of the East and the West, by distilling them into cheap and good textbooks and workbooks for students worldwide, compared to those dear, inch-deep, mile-wide US textbooks.

Singapore Math could arguably be called the Uber of math education, based on the increasing number of developed and developing countries that have adopted the alien curriculum; as a result, thousands of students’ math grades have improved significantly over the years.

by MathPlus December 1, 2018

Native Math

A math theorem, formula, or method that originates from a particular country—for example, a deductive proof in plane geometry is unmistakably Greek, while a visual proof has a Chinese or Indian flavor.

In this age of regional or international collaboration among members of the mathematics community, when co-authoring a journal article often involves contributors of different nationalities, we can only expect native math to be the odd one in a sea of even hybrids.

by MathPlus December 2, 2018

Organic Math

A problem-solving heuristic or strategy that is not a product of imported approaches or procedures—for example, a deductive proof in geometry is unmistakably Greek in origin.

The bar model method, which is a mix of strategies from China, Russia, and the US, can’t be labeled “organic math”—ironically, this commonly known “Singapore model method” is anything but native math from Singapore.

by MathPlus December 3, 2018

UD 4 Seniors

When frequent contributions among the retired to Urban Dictionary could positively enhance their mental health, or even reduce the odds of their suffering from dementia—coining new words or redefining old ones would motivate them to be creative and keep them mentally active.

Because elders’ wise words on Urban Dictionary could benefit readers of all ages, it’s apt to launch some kind of “UD 4 Seniors” campaign, as part of the government’s effort to promote active aging, or to disrupt aging in preventing any form of mental disorder.

by MathPlus December 4, 2018

#Pray4SgMath

The hashtag US homeschoolers want to unleash to their Twitter followers, as they hope that their prayers might prevent President Trump from imposing a tariff on imported Singapore math books, who wants to make Common Core math great again.

Christian educators and parents are sms-ing and tweeting #Pray4SgMath to fellow believers, as they’ve faith that their answered prayers would prevent Donald Trump from politicizing the K–12 math education, by making Singapore math titles wallet-friendly.

by MathPlus December 4, 2018

Singapore

Arguably the libel capital of the world, where democracy or freedom of speech is ranked very low among developed countries, and political persecution or defamation for contempt of court very high for anyone who dares to publish content critical of the government.

The number of Singaporeans and foreign journalists threatened with a lawsuit in recent years has been on the rise, as authorities often use dated colonial or internal security laws as a pretext for maintaining religious or racial harmony to silence and punish political critics.

by MathPlus December 5, 2018