♪♪
all right, class. For homework,
I want you to translate all 20 word problems
at the end of the chapter into algebraic equations.
(class groans)
hey, I don't need you to like me.
I got enough friends.
-(bell rings) -(sydney sighs)
twenty equations tonight?
Come on, math, why can't you get off my back
and solve your own problems?
Well, I love math.
Don't tell anybody,
but I kind of have a crush on fractions.
They're like two little numbers in a bunk bed.
Ms. Williams: Excuse me, olive.
Could I see you for a moment?
Sure, ms. Williams.
Oh, no. Was I over-participating?
I am so sorry, ms. Williams. It won't happen again.
See that it doesn't.
Although, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Actually, olive, it's good news.
In eighth grade, we start to separate students into different levels,
and based on your performance,
I've selected you to be in the advanced math class.
Wait. Did you just say an advanced math class?
So, tell me. Is everything okay?
Yes! You won't believe it.
Ms. Williams just invited me to join
a new advanced math class.
There's an advanced math class?
Yeah. I'm so excited,
the butterflies in my stomach are covered in goosebumps.
This must be what dating's like.
Advanced math?
Good for you.
I know what you're thinking.
Advanced math sounds terrible.
No, I'm thinking, why didn't ms. Williams ask me?
What? I didn't think you liked math that much.
(scoffs) where'd you get that idea?
You told math to go solve its own problems.
Oh, I know what's happening.
They're probably telling kids one at a time.
Yeah. Probably.
Anyway, I'm gonna go call my mom and tell her the good news.
There it goes again!
Oh, syd, good. You're still here.
Yes, I am, ms. Williams.
Is there something you want to say to me?
-Yes. -I think I know what it is.
You left your sweater in class.
♪ do do do do ♪
(theme music playing)
♪ like father, like daughter, we don't always agree ♪
♪ but looking at you is like looking at me ♪
♪ the more things change, the more they stay the same ♪
♪ like father, like daughter, from different times ♪
♪ taking all the best from your decade and mine ♪
♪ the more things change ♪
♪ the more they stay the same ♪
♪ do do, do do do do, do do ♪
♪ the more they stay the same ♪
♪♪
hi, ms. Williams. Uh, thanks again for the sweater.
I mean, where's my head, right?
So, I was just talking to olive,
and she mentioned that you invited her to join
an advanced math class.
Yes. We want to get the top students ready
for the upper-level courses in high school.
Uh-huh.
Totally get it. So,
I was just wondering if you were planning on inviting me
to join the class.
Actually, I wasn't.
-You weren't? -Look, sydney,
it's not that you're not doing well.
You've got a solid b-plus average.
But this new class is gonna be very challenging.
Ms. Williams, there's something you should know about me.
When I'm challenged, I rise to the occasion.
Grrrr!
Are you sure?
Because it's gonna move pretty fast.
Fast is my only speed.
Again... Grrrr!
Well, you do seem pretty determined.
Tell you what,
let's give it a try. If it doesn't work out,
you can always go back to regular math.
You won't have to worry about that, ms. Williams.
I'm in advanced math to stay.
Wait. Did I just say advanced math? (giggles)
hey, where did that come from?
♪♪
hey, max. Check this out.
Nice.
You know what? You should get yourself a pair of skates
so we can go to the roller rink together!
Together? You and me?
It'll be fun! That is, if you think you can keep up.
(scoffs) keep up? Please.
In case you forgot, I'm a skateboarder.
Blah, blah, blah.
I'm hearing a lot of talk from a guy with no skates.
Oh, don't worry. I'm getting skates.
Then you're on.
I'm gonna go practice leaving you in the dust,
and you should practice getting used to it.
Oh, really?
Sorry, max. I can't hear you from way back there.
Oh, this is gonna be fun.
-Hi, mom. -Hi.
Okay, enough small talk.
I could try to butter you up by telling you your hair looks nice,
but you'd just accuse me of wanting something.
Yes, we have done that little dance a time or two.
So I'm just gonna ask it.
Would you buy me a pair of roller skates?
Why don't you just use your savings to buy them?
I don't have any.
I know. But it's just funny to ask.
Please, mom? This is really important to me.
Wait a minute. Didn't I just see alisha
roller skate into our garage?
Because if I thought this had anything to do with
your giant crush on her,
I might consider buying them for you.
Okay, fine.
I want them so I can roller skate with alisha.
-Happy? -Very.
Nothing's ever free with you, is it?
♪♪
hey, mr. R. I'm here to celebrate.
Smoothies for everyone.
And as long as I'm getting my 100 percent discount,
they're on me!
So, what are you celebrating?
There's an advanced math class for the top students,
and my teacher invited me to join it.
Congrats, olive. That's awesome.
Hey, syd, you're just in time.
We're celebrating olive getting into the advanced math class.
Well then, I'd say you should make it a double celebration,
'cause guess who also got into the advanced math class?
Me. (chuckles)
-what? -Really? Advanced math?
Sounded a little too surprised, there.
Wanna try again?
Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy for you.
I just didn't think you like math that much.
Well, maybe my love for math has multiplied.
Look at that. I even use math in my free time!
So, ms. Williams did ask you, after all.
Well... Let's just say we had a little talk,
and bottom line, I'm in.
In that case, math class is gonna be
a straight up polynomial par-tay!
Did I just hear you girls got bumped to the advanced math class?
That's ah-mah-zing!
-Thanks, grandma j. -Yeah, thanks, grandma.
You guys aren't the only ones taking a challenging class.
At college, I signed up for
"the philosophy of the ancient greeks."
that's so cool.
You're gonna spend months exploring life's deepest,
most profound questions.
Here's my first one:
Why?
Because I have a deep and profound interest
in the teacher.
When it comes to the meaning of life,
professor cutie may not have all the answers,
but let's just say he checks all the boxes.
Here you go, math superstars.
Thanks, dad. And, of course this doesn't mean that
we're better than anyone else,
but it doesn't mean that we're not.
What do you say we post a picture?
And we should probably mention that we're in the advanced math class.
You know, just to keep people informed.
Sure. Why not?
Both: Math sisters!
Here. Take one of me.
Look at me solving a problem.
Ooh, this one's a toughie!
Are you gettin' the book?
Yeah. Got it.
And the best part about being math sisters?
We can study together.
You know, this class is gonna be really hard,
and I think I'd prefer to study on my own, so I can focus.
Oh. Yeah. Okay. Sure.
Wow, these pics are great.
I am gonna post them all.
Unless you think it might come off a little too braggy.
-Well, maybe a little too-- -and posted!
♪♪
hey, noodle. Look at you, hard at work.
Looks like I'm not the only one. How's philosophy going?
Great. I finally chatted with professor cutie today.
He told me he loves everything about ancient greece.
So I said, "if you love 'ancient grease,'
you should come over and clean my oven sometime."
(chuckles) good one.
Plus, the oven could really use it.
So how's math?
It's advanced, but luckily so am I.
Hey, you wanna help me check my work?
The answers are in the back of the book.
Sure.
Okay. Number one, x equals five is right.
Yeah, is it!
Number two is...
-Wrong. -Of course it-- wait, what?
And so are the next three. Sorry, noodle.
What? No way.
Four to five?
It means I only got 20 percent right.
Well, at least you know your percentages.
That has to count for something.
♪♪
♪
ooh! Double-chocolate cupcakes?
But don't even think about it. They're for olive.
Olive's coming over? I thought you said she likes studying on her own.
Oh, dad, this has nothing to do with studying.
I just think olive and I deserve to celebrate some more.
Well, celebrate this.
"she's sweet and nice, and, oh, so modest.
My kid's an absolute math goddess."
wow, dad, you made a bumper sticker about me.
I'm just so proud of you.
And now I get to shove it in ed jennings' face.
Most annoying neighbor ever.
Always plastering his car with "student of the month,"
"spelling bee champ," "ballet star on board."
what kind of jerk brags like that? (chuckles)
I can't wait to see his face when he gets a look at this baby.
(knocking on door)
hey, syd. What was so urgent?
I have a little surprise for you!
Oh, my goodness, double chocolate cupcakes!
So, what's the occasion?
I don't think we really celebrated us
being math sisters properly.
Aw, that's so sweet of you.
Okay, one cupcake. Then I should get home to study.
Great.
Both: Math sisters!
You know what? Since you're here anyway,
why don't we study while we celebrate?
You know. Just for fun.
-Well, I guess we could... -Oh, look, my math book!
So, I started trying to solve for "a,"
but it's a tricky little devil. (chuckles)
here, let me get this out of your way.
♪♪
you're up early.
I guess you couldn't wait to put on your new skates.
I wanna work on a couple of trick moves before alisha gets here.
You know, I was a pretty good skater in my day.
I could give you a hand.
Please. I'm the best boarder in my school.
I think I can handle myself on skates.
Whoa!
-(thuds) -oh!
Max?
Mom! That was all your fault.
You're totally distracting me.
Okay, fine. We haven't seen the old gang
at the emergency room in a while, anyway.
♪
oh! (yelling)
-(grunts) -(thuds)
oh! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Aah!
-Aah! Aah! Aah-- -(crashing)
(cackling)
I'd like to see you try.
(cackling)
see, what you did here is you didn't isolate your variable.
Oh, right.
Of course. Duh!
Okay, so for problem three--
you know, syd, I think I'm gonna head home.
Now? Already?
There's a lot more homework to do,
and I need to concentrate.
I love that we get twice the homework in this class.
And I thought math was fun before.
-Hi, olive. -Hey, grandma j.
Can't talk. I've got homework!
Are you ready for this?
Professor cutie was discussing socrates' speech
on the nature of love.
And he was looking right at me.
True, I was wildly raising my hand,
but message received.
(sighs)
-(keyboard clicking) -(computer chimes)
hey, olive. Whatcha been up to?
Let's see... I just took off my shoes!
Cool, cool.
So I just called to thank you for helping me today.
No problem. Anytime.
How 'bout now? Problem four.
Now?
(scribbling)
okay.
The first thing, you gotta put all your "a's"
on one side of the equals sign
and your numbers on the other. Got it?
Got it. Thanks, now,
quit gabbing and get back to work, lazy bones!
(computer chimes)
-(key clicks) -(singsongs) guess who?
The person who just called me with a math issue?
Syd, I really need to get back to work.
Oh, come on, olive. We always help each other.
I mean, if you needed help in english,
I would dive right in and help in any way I could.
Any way...
I could.
Okay. You're right.
Let's go back to problem one.
More like problem fun. Am I right?
Yeah. Fun.
♪
hey, max! Hope you didn't have breakfast,
'cause you're gonna be eating dirt all day.
Actually, alisha...
I'm not going.
What do you mean you're not going?
I tried skating. And was awesome, by the way.
But I'm a boarder, and to be honest,
skating just isn't cool.
I skate. So what are you saying?
I'm not cool?
Uh...
You know what? My only problem is
can I possibly have fun without you?
Wait a minute. I think I can. See ya, cool guy.
Alisha, wait. I didn't mean--
(door slams)
well, if you wanted to upset her,
I'd say you hit it out of the park.
Oh. You heard?
Yeah. What was all that stuff about skating not being cool?
Mom, I can't let her see me skate.
Alisha is the last girl in the world
I'd want to embarrass myself in front of.
Max, and I say this as a former girl,
just be honest with her.
She'll think it's sweet that you tried skating just to be with her.
Well, speaking as a current boy,
no way.
All right. Well, then, I guess there's nothing you can do.
But don't worry about alisha.
I'm sure she'll find someone else to skate with.
Maybe they'll even hold hands.
♪
not bad scores for the first test.
If you have any questions, feel free to keep them to yourselves,
'cause it's lunch time, and I'm hungry.
Come see me after school.
Let's go, olive.
Olive?
I... I got a...
I got a "b."
a "b"? That's great. This test was brutal.
I've never gotten anything but an "a" in math.
Until now.
Thanks for nothing, syd.
What's that supposed to mean?
I spent so much time helping you,
I didn't have any time to study on my own.
Wait, so you're saying getting a "b" is my fault?
Come on, you didn't spend that much time helping me.
Mother birds who spit food into their babies' mouths
don't work as hard as I did for you.
The truth is, you shouldn't even be in this class.
How can you say that?
Well, what'd you get on your test?
I don't see what that has to do with anything.
Come on, syd. You don't even like math.
You just want everyone to know
you're the best at everything.
What? Where's that coming from?
Oh, I don't know. "hey, let's post some photos.
Are you getting the math book?"
your problem is that you don't think I'm as smart as you are,
because you're olive, the big math whiz.
That's right. Math is my thing,
and you just couldn't let me have this, could you?
I don't even know how to answer that.
Just like your math problems. Shocker.
Oh, and next time you realize
you have no idea what you're doing?
You figure it out.
♪
hey, syd. Check out this lawn sign.
"proud dad of a math genius!"
and the best part is ed jennings has to walk his dog past it
twice a day.
Cool.
Hey, what's wrong?
Olive and I had a fight.
-You've had fights before. -Yeah, but not like this.
She actually blamed me for getting a "b" on her math test.
Olive got a "b" in math? I thought she always got "a's."
go on.
She claims she spent so much time helping me
that she didn't have enough time to study on her own.
Is it possible that she--
no! We always help each other out.
But now it's all my fault.
She actually had the nerve to say
she didn't think I should be in the class.
That's harsh. So how'd you do on the test?
What does that have to do with anything?
A "d"...
Minus.
Look, syd...
Do you think that possibly,
there's an itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny chance
that maybe this class isn't for you?
Of course it is. I just need to...
Study harder.
I will stay up late and work all weekend.
Why do you have to put so much pressure on yourself
for something that you're not even that passionate about?
-I'm passionate about it. -Really?
You've spent hours locked in your room working on one bass lick,
and you come out with a smile on your face.
You feel the same way about math?
Maybe. I don't know.
I could feel that way...
One day.
All I'm saying is,
you don't have to be the best at everything.
And just so you know,
I don't need a yard sign or a bumper sticker
for the world to know how proud I am of you.
I say it every day.
Thanks, dad.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have to go cancel the sky writing plane.
♪
(knocking on door)
-hi, alisha. -Max.
So, you said I left something here?
Right. I thought maybe you left...
This.
Seriously?
You thought I left a picture of you...
As a baby?
Well, somebody put it here.
(door closes)
what do you want, max?
To tell you I'm really, really sorry about the way I acted yesterday.
You're cool. You're, like, the coolest person I know.
Really?
Then why'd you say the things you did?
Because I can't skate.
I tried, and I just fell on my face.
That's what this is all about?
Why didn't you just tell me?
I was embarrassed, and afraid you'd laugh at me.
No way. I'd never laugh at you.
I would've thought it was really sweet of you to try skating
just so you could hang out with me.
Really? Wow.
My mom was right.
How'd that happen?
Hey, how about I teach you how to skate?
You'd do that? That would be great.
But you should know,
every teacher that has ever tried to help me
has lived to regret it.
(laughs)
hey, olive.
Can we talk?
Sorry, I'm busy with my new best friend.
Math. She gets me.
But I want to apologize.
Olive, I've been so awful to you.
I just wanted to stay in this class so badly that...
I took advantage of our friendship.
And you're right. Math is your thing.
I should've been happy for you,
instead of making it about me.
Maybe it's time to accept that I don't need to be good at everything.
Yeah. You're good at so many things already.
-It's almost kind of annoying. -(both giggle)
olive, I'm so sorry.
I so forgive you.
Thank you. I'll see you at lunch.
What do you mean? We have class.
I spoke to ms. Williams,
and I'm switching back to regular math.
I never should've been in this class in the first place.
Are you sure?
Yeah. I'm sure.
Okay. But for the record,
math isn't my best friend.
You are. And math is just gonna have to get over it.
♪
so, max, we both know you're a great boarder,
but skates are different. Just try and be patient.
Okay.
Now, why don't we just try standing in the skates first?
See?
There you go!
-(stumbling) -whoa!
(thuds)
nailed it!
(laughs)
here.
Take my hand.
Now just pretend you're wearing two tiny skateboards.
(skates clacking)
there you go!
You're gonna get this in no time.
I don't know.
I have a feeling this is gonna take a while.
Man: Oh, yeah.