About The Math
What this site is
The Math is a worked-mathematics library. Every page in the library covers one topic, at one level, for one problem type. The goal is a specific worked example, the single most common error on that combination, and the calculator routine that exam setters expect — written for the student who already knows the theory and is trying to execute it under pressure.
The taxonomy is deliberate: 14 topics × 6 levels × 8 problem types. The level system goes from Grade 3–5 arithmetic through university-level calculus. The problem-type system separates conceptual questions from exam-style questions from proof walkthroughs — because the error you make on a multiple-choice item is different from the error you make on a free-response item.
Editorial principles
Content on The Math is written and reviewed by a human mathematics educator. We do not publish AI-generated explanations and pass them off as editorial. We do not update pages to chase keyword trends. Pages are updated when the exam specification changes or when reader feedback reveals an error.
Every worked example is verified against the standard algorithm for that level. Every pitfall is drawn from real student errors — not invented to fill a template. The “calculator routine” sections are written against the TI-84 Plus CE and Casio fx-991EX, which cover the calculators permitted in most AP, A-Level, and IB exams.
We do not use star ratings, gamification, or adaptive algorithms. We write a clear explanation, show the full working, and flag the mistake. Readers who need more than that are directed to the audit service.
About the editor
Dr. Iris Vaughan holds a doctorate in analytics from the University of Cambridge. She spent fourteen years as a curriculum design contractor for OpenStax and Khan Academy and taught secondary mathematics from 2004 to 2015. She left classroom teaching to focus on curriculum design and, since 2019, on building reference materials that work the way textbooks should but rarely do.
Her current research focus is what she calls “the single most common error per topic” — identifying the one thing students most reliably get wrong at a given level and topic combination, and writing the explanation that actually corrects it. The pitfall sections throughout this site are the output of that research.
She is available for editorial mathematics review via the audit service.
Revenue and disclosure
The Math earns revenue through three channels: digital study materials sold via Gumroad, editorial audit services, and tutor referral matchmaking. Some pages link to books and calculators via Amazon Associates. Affiliate links are labelled. Directory listings are editorial — not sold. See the full disclosure page for detail.
The Math does not accept paid placement within editorial content. Sponsorship formats are documented on the advertise page and are always labelled.