Our academic calendar in South Africa runs the same as a calendar year – January to December – which means this time of the year youngsters have the duality of exam stress and excitement about their long summer holiday. It is also the time of year where I often get late-night panic texts from colleagues and friends with school-going children asking for emergency help … [Read more...] about What do counting and bunnies have in common?
Write down a number and I will tell you where you are from…
This is probably one of the coolest party tricks ever – not only is it super easy, but it makes you look smart and mysterious. Think the Austin Powers of MENSA. Unfortunately, it only works if you are surrounded by people from different geographical areas. Once upon a time, there was a number... then there was another... it was the same number, it meant the same … [Read more...] about Write down a number and I will tell you where you are from…
Why Usain’s 100m WR is not the fastest run ever…
The recent Olympic Games sparked lots of debates in my house - and of course, we were all experts in every sport. That little step at the end of the floor routine in gymnastics? Many a shaken head in our lounge and muttered comments of 'you did so well, until there'. Similar to the little splash in the diving pool. We realized that fencing is obviously a bigger deal in the … [Read more...] about Why Usain’s 100m WR is not the fastest run ever…
E=mc²
I received a message from Annie: Thank you for the posting about equations and I can see the value of making math every day, non-scary conversation, but right now I have to solve E=mc² before test day next week. The most famous one of them all: E = mc² or energy = mass x speed of light squared. The sad thing is that this equation … [Read more...] about E=mc²
Why using average is a fairly average way of measuring anything
One of the reasons for writing this blog post is to help people make sense of numbers – the other is because my family is tired of listening to me. The biggest bugbear in my life is how we use the average as a measurement when it not only tells you very little but also hides the real story. Journalists particularly should work on their number literacy, … [Read more...] about Why using average is a fairly average way of measuring anything