Fasters's definitions

Mathematical Insurrection

When censors from a Department of Education in a state rejected submitted math textbooks from major publishers because their “woke” authors had allegedly tried to indoctrinate children with critical race theory, foreign problem-solving strategies, and multicultural math topics, when in actual fact these math titles contain real-life problems that would help hone students’ problem-solving skills, compared to artificially canned questions of traditional publishers with whom they have a vested interest in—when politics and profits triumph over pedagogy and proficiency.

Last week, with the blessing of their state governor, diehard math educators in Florida carried out a mathematical insurrection against a number of educational publishers for subtly including Common Core pedagogies on top of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) elements in their textbooks.

by Fasters April 25, 2022

Masked by Pi

When a formula looks more complex than it is because it contains the constant π, whose sight or sound often frightens those who suffer from math anxiety.

Guesstimate how many mature students worldwide are reluctant to sign up for short math or statistics courses to upgrade themselves, because they are masked by pi.

by Fasters January 15, 2022

Pi

The post-Omicron coronavirus variant that is suing the WHO for refusing to credit her for reasons (political, racial, …, mathematical) unknown to, or hidden from, her, even after she had visited millions of urban homes in China and spent some uneasy time with the residents from all social strata, in recent weeks.

With tens of millions of migrant workers going back to their villages to visit their loved ones in the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit, Pi rationalized that her targeted billion-odd visitations in rural areas wouldn’t go unnoticed by WHO officials, who’d be forced to grant her overdue Greek citizenship among fellow Covid-19 variants.

by Fasters January 13, 2023

Pi Clock

A normal clock in which the numerals representing the numbers 1 to 12 have been replaced by only three irrational numbers, positioned at π, 2π, and 3π.

What is the acute angle measure when the minute hand of a pi clock points exactly at 2π while the hour hand has moved past 3π—or when the time is slightly past 9:30? Answer: 97.3°.

by Fasters July 30, 2022

兀

A Chinese three-stroke character or surname that is pronounced as “wù.” As an adjective, it means rising to a height; towering; flat top; or bald.

What are the chances that a non-Chinese math geek might mistake 兀 for 𝜋?

by Fasters September 25, 2022

Pi Plus

When the number π is being blessed today as a symbol of global recognition that few remember that she was once addicted to geometry, particularly chained to the circle (until she gained her freedom thanks to her contributions to other branches of mathematics), and suffered centuries-long depression as mathematicians vied to assign her the best approximate value based on their methods of computation.

From her early humble days in Greece in the hands of Archimedes, when they’re trying to determine a good approximation for her, the number π has hitherto remained a constant of choice among the mathematical brethren, who hope that the discovery of pi plus secrets would help advance their career and achieve mathematical fame or immortality.

by Fasters May 27, 2022

ASAP

Short for “Always Stop And Pray”—when you need to be as smart or sharp as possible in tackling urgent and important matters, by relying on the Holy Spirit (the Third Person in the Trinity) for wisdom and direction for your solution.

The moment I realize that ASAP needn’t always stand for “As Soon As Possible,” I quickly submitted this long-overdue definition for publication.

by Fasters May 14, 2022