The "Difference" in Math

Who says math is no fun? Think again! I could still remember my unforgettably unique experience in math during my days in primary education. Let me share it to you. One day, a student teacher in her internship had decided to conduct her final class lecture as a practice teacher with us—the class she was assigned to—which, of course, was to be observed by highly-ranking professors in the school. And for us, the class, that should mean hell! You should already know the reason why. To cut the story short, on the day of her lecture—and in the last part of it—she had called for class participation from us, an oral recitation!

Out of the blue, this said teacher from hell had called me up. Shocks! Why in the world did she pick me? I cursed her for that! Then I was starting to lose my mind. I was trembling! Then she got her flash cards, and since it was a math subject, expectedly, questions would be about things in math.

Then she showed me two different numbers—I already have forgotten what those were—and said, "Find the 'difference' of the two numbers." "She demanded me to tell the difference of those numbers? That should be easy!" I said in my mind. Then I uttered, "The first is greater than the second one!" Whew, that was close! Feeling relieved. Then I noticed that almost everyone in the room were giggling, and wanted to burst to laughter. "Huh! You can't fool me. Of course I'm right!" I reassured myself.

Then that teacher looked me straight in the eyes as if telling me to change my answer for it was merely wrong; and with that intent look of her I could really feel her fear of that she might be getting an unfavorable feedback from the observers afterwards for not teaching us successfully in her lecture.

Hoping that I might change my answer right, she asked me once again. "What's the difference of these two numbers?" She said with a stronger emphasis. "So she really wanted me to change my answer? But what answer does she want? I guess that was my best shot already. I can't give her any better now." The last thing I said in my mind.

Since she couldn't compel me anymore to give the right answer, she just let me sit down. Then I realized, "difference" means subtraction! What have I done? I only let that teacher down; at the same time I also failed myself!

Then after the lecture, there I got my bitter prize—laughter from my mocking friends! I deserved it anyway. I guess that was memorably unforgettable.