Not Thinking Threely

(In eighth grade Algebra 1, we are learning how to graph parabolas. The teacher is lecturing and we’re taking notes.)

Girl: “Excuse me, I don’t understand three.”

Teacher: *confused* “Uh, what?”

Girl: “Three is really confusing me. Can you help?”

Teacher: “What three are you talking about? There’s no practice problems right now.”

Girl: “No, the number three. I just can’t figure it out.”

Teacher: “Well, it’s one more than two and one less than four. What else do you need to know about it?”

Girl: “I don’t know. But it’s really bothering me today.”

Teacher: “Uh, see me after class and I’ll try to help you.”

(The girl ended up going to USC.)