High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! One of Harvard mathematics graduate Tom Lehrer's most famous songs was a satire named "New Math" which centered around the process of subtracting 173 from 342 in base 10 and in base 8. The song is in the style of a lecture about the general concept of subtraction in arbitrary number systems, illustrated by two simple calculations, and highlights the emphasis on insight and abstract concepts of the New Math approach. Lehrer's explanation of the two calculations is entirely correct, but presented at rapid speed, with minimal visual aids, and with snide remarks thrown in, making it difficult for most audience members to follow the otherwise simple calculations being performed.