Mathnificent WoW | Where Math Words Meet Daily Life

A Math WoW is when you take a common word and apply its mathematical definition to relatable real life experiences.

It’s a way to connect with #mathIRL and convey how mathematical concepts can be a power tool towards understanding all types of situations that we find ourselves in.

Here’s an alphabetical list of all the Math WoWs to date.

additive: Distributing over addition; cumulative. For example, "When Sonya shared her project plan, the team realized that her additive process would allow for each person to have multiple opportunities to comment and give input throughout the entire process." — ^{Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels}

When you employ an action that is additive, there is intention from the get-go to touch all the entities currently involved plus … read all about it

affine: Allowing for or preserving parallel relationships. For example, "Carmen created affine groups within her company so that any future organizational shifts would, in theory, automatically balance out across the board." — ^{Photo by Grace Ho on Unsplash}

Affine is just like self-similarity but the carbon-copy action has those shapes scaling in different amounts in only some of its directions… read all about it

argument: The variable on which the value of the function depends; a variable that affects a functions result. For example, "It helped that Phil's argument was presented with solid reasoning that was delivered in a calm and respectful tone of voice." — ^{Photo by Juri Gianfrancesco on Unsplash}

In the world of mathematics, arguments have a necessary presence in just about every function because they are the very definition of the value … read all about it

bifurcation: When a small change in a parameter results in a qualitative change in the long-term solution. For example, "Rebecca remembers exactly when the bifurcation occurred because she felt complete in her gut with her decision." — ^{Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash}

A bifurcation starts because of a small change in a parameter… read all about it

braid: In a three-dimensional space, an intertwining of 2 or 3 or more strings anchored at their beginning and end points. For example, "Since the ends of the braid were completely stabilized, Stacey examined the crossovers from every possible angle." — ^{Photo by Anthony McKissic on Unsplash}

The beauty of a braid is that it can offer you a new perspective… read all about it

choose: How to read the number of ways of picking unordered outcomes. For example, "When it is time to choose which direction to take, Mary knows if she recites each possibility out loud, she'll gain clarity." — ^{Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash}

Choosing to do something is a personal and intentional act. I mean, even choosing to do nothing… read all about it

3 people - all with sunglasses on, from left to right person has beige head scarf on, middle person has dark grey knit cap, and al three are in a closed circle of a hug looking at camera. — ^{Photo by raditio ghifiardi on Unsplash}

The word clique may bring up memories of exclusivity, but that’s exactly what we like about it in math… read all about it

condition: A requirement necessary and indispensable or a given statement or theorem to hold. For example, "There were many times that Catherine had to emphasize that by accepting the existence of a new condition means to also accept that a new process would be needed for success." — ^{Photo by Lindsay Cash on Unsplash}

In the mathematical definition of ‘condition’, there’s a significant descriptor to pay attention to – the word: requirement… read all about it

congruence: In Euclidean geometry, an equal or equivalent relation of a set of figures if one can be taken to the other by a motion. For example, "After taking a moment to consider the different perspective as they moved towards each other on their own accord, André was able to see their absolute congruence." — ^{Photo by Tim Chow on Unsplash}

Here, congruence is all about the realities of considering different perspectives of observation through movement that’s mandatory… read all about it

cyclic: Where every element of a group can be expressed as one of its powers, and is arranged as if on a circle, so that the first element follows the last. For example, "Gerald's plan was to transform the never-ending cyclic structure into finite straight structure, in order to make room for some new movement." — ^{Photo by Slava Li from Pexels}

As humans, some of our patterns of behavior evolve, while other patterns just repeat and repeat and repeat… read all about it

In foreground, two hands with light blue nailpolish wach hold a small branch. One branch has dried out brown leaves. The other branch has healthy-looking green leaves. The math definition of the word Difference is, The result of the subtraction of a number or a quantity from another. The example sentence is, It was clear by her actions that Lisa was determined to uncover the differences in the stories she was told. — Photo by Olha Ruskykh on Pexels

Instead of comparing the quality of our differences, what if we considered what quantitatively separates us… read all about it

efficiency: A quantitative measurement represented by the ratio of useful outputs to used inputs, where the greatest value is minimizing waste (of time, energy , or resources). For example, "Because of the efficiency in Donna's well-researched process, the staff was happier and employee turnover decreased." — Photo by Oğuzhan KARACA from Pexels

Efficiency is the quest to balance the ratio of Useful Outputs : Useful Inputs… read all about it

elimination: To remove one or more variables from consideration in a system of simultaneous equations. For example, "Knowing that making this one elimination would have a far-reaching effect is the reason that Jennifer agreed to it." — Photo by Yannes Kiefer on Unsplash

This type of elimination has a broader reach, like kicking a habit that gets your health back on track and also solves some bad relationship patterns… read all about it

eventually: Formalizes the long term behavior of fulfillment by the addition of a thing or point that is known to exist but is currently not present or attainable. For example, "No one questioned that Marilyn would eventually receive her desired rewards for her efforts." — ^{Photo by Muhammad Ruqi Yaddin on Unsplash}

When the word eventually is used in mathematics, there’s an accountability marker… read all about it

expression: A mathematical statement that contains at least two numbers connected by an operator. For example, "The expression on Curtis' face revealed only one side of the story." — Photo by Inga Seliverstova from Pexels

The value that any expression contributes to any sort of exchange of information IRL is just one side of that conversation… read all about it

extended: Described by a point attached to but lying outside (rather than on or within) the circumference of a circle. For example, "When they were asked to take on additional work, Jules visualized how much her energy would be extended and, in equal measure, visualized where she'd need to contract it." — Photo by Wan San Yip on Unsplash

When extended, you’re consciously reaching far outside of yourself, but it’s a mathematical fact that there’ll be a balance of saving some energy… read all about it

function: A relationship or expression including one or more variables. For example, "Nat knows that every person, and every tool, that's utilized is a function towards the group's success." — Photo by OG Productionz from Pexels

There’s nothing in the common definition that calls out the significance of relationships that the word function has in math… read all about it

locus: The set of all points at a designated location that satisfies a condition. For example, "Amy knew that the locus for the production crew was going to be the loft space above the sound stage." — Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

In the definition of locus, the word ‘satisfy’ plays prominently; when something – or someone – is satisfied, then a need has been fulfilled… read all about it

lune: A plane figure bounded by two crescent shapes in which one crescent curves outward and the other crescent curves inward. For example, "Instead of wishing upon a star, Sandy had taken to looking up into the night sky and wishing upon a lune." — Photo by Jordan Steranka on Unsplash

95%+ of the time you look up at the moon, you’re seeing a lune shape… read all about it

martingale: A sequence of random variables for which, at a particular time, the average value that's expected to appear next is equal to the present value, no matter what all the prior values were. For example, "After some considerations, Kristan was excited about making a martingale decision and venturing down a new path." — Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

What a lovely sounding word for something that has everything to do with risk… read all about it

merge: the combination of two or more ordered lists into a single ordered list. For example, "When driving, Laureen was emphatic about merging at the last possible minute, in the spirit of efficiency for all her fellow drivers." — Photo by Danik Prihodko from Pexels

The key here is efficiency because this is all about two orders becoming one order, not just two becoming one… read all about it

neighborhood: The set of all points with distance from a given point strictly less than a specified value. For example, "As she drew on the graph, Ms. Stoltz explained how to define the neighborhood within a triangle or a rectangle." — Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata via Pexels

One of the most important things in mathematics are relationships, and the worth of generating & maintaining them for everyone involved… read all about it

operator: A mapping between two function spaces. For example, "When Brian was asked to be the official operator for the project, he knew that a consistent documentation process would be the key for him to be successful in that role." — Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash

The mathnificent bit of an operator is that its’ output must have a specifically well-defined quality… read all about it

or: At least one, of not both, are true. For example, "When Ruth realized that choosing the first or second option would have beneficial - albeit different - outcomes for the team she stopped stressing about it." — Photo by Letizia Bordoni on Unsplash

In ye ol’ math world, the word or is used as an inclusive word, a word that makes a connection… read all about it

parity: The attribute of a number being even or odd; a type of symmetry that has an equivalence of left and right. For example, "It's impressive how much Kel prioritizes his time to ensure there is universal parity on his leadership team." — Photo by yuvi’s picworld from Pexels

The quest for attaining parity can feel like you’re on the search party for a chameleon… read all about it

permutation: An ordered arrangement of a specified number of objects selected from a set. For example, "Shelley insisted it was necessary to take a short-term financial hit in order to carry out a moral permutation of the process." — Photo by Paul Milasan on Unsplash

The math definition dictates that there’s a very specified order to a specified number of items & actions in order to get to the finish line that is desired… read all about it

point: A zero-dimensional mathematical object that indicates an exact location in space that cannot be defined in terms of previously described objects or concepts. For example, "Though he was just made aware of the point, Matt knew that he could absolutely stand by its position." — Photo by Vivek Kuppa on Unsplash

A point marks the beginning – of a line, of a shape, of…well, anything and everything… read all about it

proof: A formalized and concise sequence of statements that supports the truth of a given theorem. For example, "There was no doubt that Tatiana's proof would be accepted, based on her consistently thorough research and documentation." — Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

Mathematician Jay Cummings says, “Math is a search for objective truths, while proofs are the search for subjective agreement.”… read all about it

reformulate: To differently devise an existing mathematical model so that its properties remain intact while making it more efficient. For example, "Though it wasn't going to be easy, Sammi knew that she'd have to carefully reformulate the entire process to account for their obvious barrier to success." — Photo by **Pavel Chernonogov** from **Pexels**

Reformulating is about honoring your original formula, paying attention to the internal workings (that work), and making alterations for efficiency and ease… read all about it

root: A value that satisfies or solves a given equation. For example, "When Lidia showed me the root, I realized how important it was to check on it every once in awhile." — Photo by Antoni Shkraba from Pexels

I had never before considered placing a characterization of value upon this word, a value that satisfies a problem so that you can reach your goal… read all about it

scheme: The functions that must satisfy the conditions and the compatibility demanded within a topological space. For example, "The scheme was a success because the responsibilities were properly distributed and well-rehearsed." — Photo by Mo Tawil on Pexels

Though commonly thought of as a plan with undercurrents of sneaky or even dishonest – in math, it’s the opposite for the word scheme, where it’s all about transparency, and a bit of risk… read all about it

sharp: An indication that a constraint is optimal and cannot be further reduced without losing its top status. For example, "There's no if, and, or buts; if Ben says that object is sharp, then you know that you need to be careful when handling it." — Photo by Zoran Borojevic on Unsplash

Mathematicians don’t throw around the word sharp all willy-nilly. They’re very loyal to the word’s original context… read all about it

solid: A closed three-dimensional figure. For example, "Even though Paul knew the object was solid, it still surprised him to find out how heavy that made it." — Photo by Tiny Rituals on Unsplash

The simplicity of this definition leaves no room for interpretation. It’s a confirmation. It’s an absolute. There’s nothing if, and, or fluid about it… read all about it

substitution: A strategy for solving systems of equations that include solving for one variable and using that solution to find the other variable. For example, "It became common practice that Reggie wold consider making a substitution at the halfway point of the process, for the betterment of the entire project." — Tdorante10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes while working a plan there is new information about a key element that’s casually served up, yours for the taking and for the re-positioning… read all about it

wave: A partial differential equation representing a disturbance that moves through space or matter. For example, "To find that perfect moment of equilibrium in the ocean, Fernando evaluated all the functions at play." — Photo by Li Yang on Unsplash

The most important sum sum summertime calculation of them all; you’re looking for the mathematical shift… read all about it

The Mathnificent Word of the Week

A Math WoW is when you take a common word and apply its mathematical definition to relatable real life experiences.

It’s a way to connect with #mathIRL and convey how mathematical concepts can be a power tool towards understanding all types of situations that we find ourselves in.

Here’s an alphabetical list of all the Math WoWs to date.

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