August 2, 2022

Title: MATH IS ALL AROUND US

Constructor: Matthew Stock

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

MAXIMUM STRENGTH (17A: Containing the highest amount of the active ingredient)

MAGGIE SMITH (31A: "Downton Abbey" star)

MAGNETIC NORTH (54A: Direction that compasses naturally point)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer is surrounded by the word MATH.

And now a word from our constructor:

Matthew: Hello from Gainesville, Florida! Serendipitous timing on this puzzle, as today is my first day at my new job as an eighth-grade math teacher here. I’m a big fan of this puzzle’s theme, and I’m also thrilled that I got some subtle thematic grid art to work in the center. Hope it was a happy solve!

Things I learned:

• IMANI (2D: Singer-songwriter Coppola) IMANI Coppola's debut single, "Legend of a Cowgirl," was released in 1997, and reached the top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100 list. In addition to her solo career, IMANI Coppola is half of the duo, Little Jackie. (Adam Pallin is the other half of Little Jackie.)

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SIBS (1A: Chloe and Halle Bailey, e.g., for short) Chloe and Halle Bailey are siblings - SIBS for short - and are also the R&B duo Chloe x Halle.
• MAXIMUM STRENGTH (17A: Containing the highest amount of the active ingredient) This answer is taking me back to my days as a pharmacist and pharmacologist.
• MAGGIE SMITH (31A: "Downton Abbey" star) Dame MAGGIE SMITH has had an extensive career in theater, television, and movies. On the TV series, Downton Abbey, and the movie of the same name, MAGGIE SMITH plays the role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham. In my opinion, MAGGIE SMITH is a welcome addition to any puzzle, and I smiled as I filled in this answer.
• GANESH (44A: Elephant-headed god) GANESH is a Hindu god of new beginnings. The elephant head of GANESH symbolizes wisdom and understanding. GANESH is worshiped before starting something new, and is revered as the remover of obstacles. GANESH is worshiped on many religious and secular occasions, and especially during the Hindu festival at the end of August and beginning of September known as GANESH Chaturthi.
• OREO (62A: ___ cakesters (black-and-white treats) OREO Cakesters are less like a traditional OREO cookie, and more like a whoopee pie. The treats are comprised of two soft chocolate cakes sandwiching vanilla, chocolate, or peanut butter creme. OREO Cakesters were first introduced in 2007, and discontinued in 2012. However, OREO Cakester-lovers have a reason to rejoice, because the treats have returned this year.
• SLUG BUG (5D: Car game involving VW Beetles) Oh my goodness, I have not thought of the game SLUG BUG for quite some time! It's a game with simple rules: when you spot a VW Beetle you yell, "SLUG BUG!" and lightly punch your companion on the arm. The goal, of course, is to be the first person to spot each VW Beetle, thus protecting your arms.
• TEN (10D: This clue's number) Self-referential clues such as this one always make me smile.
• MARA (54D: NPR correspondent Liasson) MARA Liasson is the national political correspondent for NPR (National Public Radio); her focus is the White House and Congress. Her reports can be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. 
• AMEN (55D: "You said it!") and TRUE (56D: "You said it!") I liked this clue echo.

Geography review:

• IRAN (30A: Pakistan's neighbor) IRAN is a country in Western Asia. Pakistan, its neighbor to the east, is considered part of South Asia. The capital of IRAN is Tehran, and the capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.
• SAMOA (1D: Country with Taualuga performances) SAMOA is a Polynesian island country. The Taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance, is often performed as the grand finale of an evening of entertainment, or the concluding dance at festivities such as wedding receptions. The Taualuga is a solo performance, and was traditionally danced by the son or daughter of a chief. (Each village in SAMOA has a high chief.) 
• STATE (51D: Illinois or Indiana) Illinois and Indiana are, in fact, U.S. STATEs, and together represent half of the STATE names beginning with the letter I; the other two I STATEs are Idaho and Indiana. This means that 8% of U.S. STATE names begin with the letter I. Another 8% of STATE names begin with the letter A (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas), and yet another 8% of STATE names begin with the letter W (Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming). The letters M (Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Montana) and N (Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and North Dakota) each appear at the beginning of 16% of STATE names. The write-up of this answer is simply a reminder that MATH IS ALL AROUND US.

This is a classic USA Today theme type, and it is elevated by special touches. First of all, MATH IS ALL AROUND US is a fitting title for a puzzle constructed by a MATH teacher. Congratulations on your new job, Matthew, and best of luck! Secondly, the grid has mirror symmetry; it is symmetrical around a vertical line down the center of the puzzle. This type of symmetry allows the addition (pun intended!) of "+" and  "-" signs made out of the puzzle's black squares. Third, we have a number of number-related answers in the puzzle. There's the aforementioned TEN, as well as the number ONE in English and Spanish (UNO). There's also DUO and OCTET, not numbers themselves, but referencing numbers. All of these things combine to remind us MATH IS ALL AROUND US. Thank you, Matthew, for this delightful puzzle that was a terrific way to begin my Tuesday.