MathPlus's definitions

A Mask for Math

When the effort or resourcefulness of tens of thousands of math tutors in Singapore covers up most local school teachers’ poor teaching pedagogies or methodologies and their low enthusiasm or creativity, thus exonerating the latter in making the subject appear dull and boring and unconnected to real life.

If there was a months-long lockdown in Singapore due to the pandemic, except for the thousands of families who can’t afford private tuition for their children, the math grades of the majority of middle-class students wouldn’t significantly suffer, because of a mask for math culture that has permeated the entire educational system for decades.

by MathPlus September 12, 2021

Covid-19 Is a Wicked Problem

When no superpower or developed country alone is able or capable of solving the global coronavirus crisis, whose solution requires the knowhow of both friendly and unfriendly nations.

With Beijing’s initial cover-ups and President Trump’s recurring lies and conspiracies on the coronavirus while in office, the world, which recognizes that Covid-19 is a wicked problem, is skeptical that these two superpowers could put aside their differences to fight the pandemic.

by MathPlus February 6, 2021

Psalm 70

A sinner’s prayer to God to come quickly to save them, so that those who want them to die be ashamed and confused, or who wish to hurt or laugh at them be disgraced for what they have done, while those who seek Him will rejoice in Him and proclaim, “Praise God!”

Psalm 70 reminds believers that the weight of their enemies’ shame, who rejoice in their misfortune or misery, would force them to turn back, and that God is the One who helps them and saves them.

by MathPlus June 14, 2021

vvacinatedd

Dangerously, irresponsibly, and selfishly receiving another two more shots after being fully vaccinated earlier for convenience purposes.

A 30-year-old single who prefers showing an electronic proof of his vaccination status when visiting karaoke lounges decided to get vvacinatedd: he’s jabbed with the BioNTech vaccine despite having previously received two Moderna shots.

by MathPlus July 21, 2021

Yoga

A Hindu form of breathing exercise, which includes meditation and spiritual practices, whose allegedly “protective” properties could shield someone from the coronavirus—a pseudoscientific cure promoted by no other than nationalistic Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and his gang of “corona gurus.”

Just as the American ex-president promoted disinfectants and UV light as corona cures to his millions of diehard supporters, the Indian prime minister is now touting yoga as a spiritual cure against Covid-19 and the deadlier “Delta” variant to his hardcore BJP supporters.

by MathPlus June 21, 2021

Think Inside the Box

A counterintuitive, underused strategy that is seldom emphasized in generating creative solutions, compared to the oft-canned strategy of “think outside the box”—better still, if there is no box.

Unlike novices who religiously think out of the box, professionals know that breakthroughs often take place when they reluctantly think inside the box—constraints are the catalyst to creativity.

by MathPlus December 17, 2018

Did Trump Have Nine Lives?

An equivalent of asking “Could Donald J. Trump be nearing the last stage of his decade-long corrupt and criminal lifestyle after devilishly and successfully avoiding fines and jail sentences time and time again?”

How long could Trump’s “political persecution” be used as a legal excuse to exonerate him from being locked up? Did Trump have nine lives? Have bribes, crimes, and lies finally lost patience with him and his cronies? Has Heaven’s impatience taken hold of them?

by MathPlus July 2, 2021