math in mean girls

1 I like math

In this first clip, we are given a glimpse in to Kady's character through her voicing of a common strength of mathematics: universality. Why is this claim plausible? What might we get out of understanding it more thoroughly?

2 invitation to mathletes

here we see the social dichotomy emerge between coolness and math. We also have the exception-proving-the-rule Kevin. Mathematicians tend to be shy introverts. Discuss.

3 talking to aaron

As Kady gives in to the dark side, math is used here as a symbol for her personal integrity

4 talking and tutoring

Here we see Kady in the depth of self-denial, choosing to fail her math tests/quizzes in order to get more face time with Aaron. The narrative voice is almost, but not quite her conscience. Notice the focus on wrong versus right answers portrayed as the natural focus point for a math discussion.

5 just the answers are wrong

Ms. Norberry has Kady figured out. Not only is Kady poor at covering up her intelligence, the teacher feels justified in giving her poor marks for correct work but incorrect answers.

6 righteous path

More math as a convenient symbol for the heroine's return to the righteous path. "Welcome back, nerd!"

7 math contest

The math contest is full of math stereotypes. Maybe a list is in order. My favorite one to notice is the crowd. Not only is it sparser than Kevin's "good turnout this year", there aren't even enough people in attendance to account for the parents of the participants.

8 final battle

The end of the contest is what puts this over the top as a math movie. Unlike many others, here the math problem itself, and the character's philosophical resignation to struggle with it "you just have to solve the puzzle in front of you" is the culmination of the development ofthe character. Nowhere else is the actual act of mathematizing so important thematically, not in GWH, not in BM.

Category:

Science & Technology

[maximalideal]

I am. I originally put together these clips for a class of mine, a math appreciation type class, as a sort of introduction, to start the semester thinking a little more broadly and realistically about how math fits into our lives than is typical. Also as a little bit of an antidote to the usual pop math fare.

[YaraSoWhat]

Thumbs up if you're watching this in 2011 :D

[cessnacitationx1]

i kid you not in my math class once my teacher mentioned limits and literally half the class went "the limit does not exist!"

[TrayDay101]

Don't let the haters stop u from doing your thang !! Lol

[BleedingLlama]

1) Lindsay Lohan is so hot here.

2) 2:58 SOMETIMES the product of two negative INTEGERS is a positive? You mean always and any two terms, asshole.

3) 3:38 almost all the marks on a test is given for working. In fact, the Jun 2010 exam only offered 10% for correct answers in my exam board (UK, but still.)

4) 6:19 this isn't really the hardest algebra I've ever seen. I have no complaints here.

5) 6:47 147 is also correct.

6) If you know anything about limits, this requires no working out.

[storm610]

CON HALL. 

[eternalnight100]

@summerluverr best comment ever!

[summerluverr]

if the limit did not exist in a math problem, my teacher would just say "the answer to number 5 is mean girls"

[Shazgi]

That wasn't exactly a hard question for a maths championship

[gmlmangwar]

OMFG She was so hot in this fucking movie.

[iluvthatmusic]

GET SOME~~~~~~~~~

[wookieproductions]

WASSUP

[xS0L1DSH0Tx]

This might be the dumbest thing I've ever seen.

Everyone needs to go on Wolfram Alpha and plug this problem in and figure out that it actually is -1. Poorly made movie.