by Annie Cox ’24
October 31, 2023
Math, for some, is not a controversial subject. Unlike subjects like the humanities, there’s not always much to debate in math. Everyone seems to have agreements on adding or subtracting. But, shockingly, people disagree with what I thought were universal math truths. So, like the properties we have learned over the years in math, here are my most important (and non debatable) truths.
1. The best measurement on the unit circle is 3π/2. This is non-negotiable. Measurements on the axis are superior strictly because they are so much easier. (For those who have no idea what I am talking about the sine and cosine of the measurements are 1 or 0. Some people may feel inclined to say that 0 (or 2π) are the best. No. These are so bland- they don’t have any personality. I obviously do not need to explain why 3π/2 is superior to π/2.
2. In statistics, a paired t-test is the worst probability test. I don’t need to give much of a reason besides the fact that a paired t-test is just miserable. I mean who wants to say a paired t-test when they can say ‘z test’ or ‘t test.’
3. Cosine is better than sine, but the ‘sine family,’ sine, secant, and tangent, (yes tangent is in the sine family) is better than the ‘co family,’ cosine, cosecant, and cotangent. Graphing cosine is so much better than graphing sine- I mean cosine is symmetrical over the y axis. I think sometimes cosine gives off younger/middle child energy (I mean it tries to be different with its derivative being negative);as another middle child, I think I feel some sort of kinsmanship to cosine.
4. The best way to prove the congruency of two triangles is Side-Angle-Side.
5. h(x) is more aesthetically pleasing than g(x). Obviously, f(x) is the best (maybe just for the reason that you can tell yourself the f stands for function of x), but the debate is for second place. g(x) is just not fun. h(x) for the win! People who think p(x), q(x), and r(x) are even in this conversation are wrong and need to do some serious self reflection.
6. The commutative property feels illegal. I understand that you can move multiplication and addition around but not division and subtraction. But, if you think of subtraction as adding a negative number everything seems to be wrong. Thinking of division as multiplying a fraction is also an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Please don’t try to explain it to me. I do not want my knowledge to be held against me in the court of law.
7. logbx is the most understandable logarithm out there. Logs are the bane of most every algebra II student (and probably of precalculus and calculus students). Putting b as the variable makes sense because b stands for base. I read this equation easily as I can remember ‘base to the question mark equals x.’ (On a related note, bx is the worst exponential on earth)
8. Seeing the subtraction of a negative in an equation is better than seeing regular addition. I mean this one is obvious- you get to feel smart because you did math with both subtraction and negatives. A small pat on the back is definitely deserved.
9. 8-15-17 is the best Pythagorean triple. For many reasons: I was born on the 15th and am 17 years old. I was 8 when I was in 2nd grade, which was my favorite grade of lower school. I don’t care that these details may only be true for me. It’s my list of hot takes, deal with it.
10. Leaving things improper is so joyful. I don’t understand why we were forced to make all of our fractions into mixed numbers as children. These days, if I see a mixed number on my math homework there is a high chance I revolt. Same goes for exponents- who started saying we couldn’t leave negatives in our exponents (for example, x-3/4)? I mean live a little! Color outside the lines! Keep negative in your exponents and fractions improper. Protest the common indoctrination of sadness.
There are so many more things in math that should be talked about, but these are just some of my favorite opinions. If you have more hot takes to add or would like to comment on one of them, send a letter to the Peabody Press!
