All Stories (437)
Sorted by date of original publication
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A very long, poignant stream of thoughts and regrets of an older mathematician. The piece can easily pass off as fiction, though we should note that this is NOT a work of mathematical fiction but written by a Senior Wrangler from Cambridge in early nineteenth century. It is "Potential Mathfiction". -
A young girl for whom Arithmetic had been the bane of life found new inspiration to master her father’s accounting statements… -
A very young child’s first struggle at writing and learning about numbers, and his inspiration to do better… -
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A short story which makes the Argument-from-Design by pointing out the mathematical principles used by bees in their hives. -
A very moving tale of a nameless mathematician’s toils in lifelong pursuit of his craft, and the few moments of true joy he experienced for a love he never expressed nor let be known… -
A very amusing story of a mathematician who retires in a small hamlet amongst very simple people who are far from mathematical ideas, and ones who find his scholarship to be the kind around which legends should be spun… For fans of “Cheers”, sometimes you want to go where nobody knows your name… -
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A listless recounting of the life of a mathematician, to no particular end. -
A short work which highlights the prevailing scholastic attitude in the early nineteenth century, with apathy toward finer subjects like philosophy in favor of harder sciences. -
A wide-ranging discussion between a land-owner and a mathematically-oriented economics scholar in the mid-eighteenth century France. -
A lyrical tale about a child from the stars… -
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A full-length novel which showcases a society in which Mathematics is religion… and in a “postface”, the narrator worries whether such a minute description of an alternative “truth” might sway Christians away from their own religion. -
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A dream-journey in a soap bubble to lower dimensions… -
The tale of a young man winning the hand of a mathematician’s daughter, despite getting momentarily tricked out of his love by the professor. -
A Socratic dialogue on logic, in classic Carrollian style. -
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A tall tale about unusual birthday pattern. -
One of those stories where a spectacular gadget fails…spectacularly… -
The fate of a lover’s heart lost to a princess hinges on the precise answer to a farcical and hilarious mathematical point of contention… -
A superb story about earth trying to communicate with Mars by means of mathematics, in the days before electronic communication was a reality… -
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How mathematics saves the day in old Mexico, with love as a further reward… -
A soft, gently-paced tale of a mathematics professor outwitting a bandit in Old Mexico. -
First loves last a lifetime…. As seen in this story of a mathematician in the age of innocence… -
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A cipher involving dancing men, and Sherlock Holmes with Dr. Watson. What else is there to know before reading the story? -
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A very brief mythology about the birth of Calculus. -
The Devil learns a global topology lesson from the soul of a mathematics professor. -
How the rationality of Euclid’s geometry prevented a hallucinating brother from murder… -
A mathematical physicist finds out that our Time has gaps in it… and gets lost in one of them… -
An amateur detective solves a code which announced the assassination of a governor using some dubious mathematics. -
The ruminations of a mathematician about the nature of space, of an unseen reality governed by – and accessible through – mathematical laws, ultimately leading to his demise – or an ascension to this ethereal realm… -
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A humdrum story about a mathematics professor getting lost in the fourth dimension… -
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A funny tale about a brave-heart soldier who laments the fact that the only thing holding him back in the ranks is an inability to understand mathematics… and wins the day for his side by decidedly non-mathematical means. -
A sequence of stories, connected over 200 pages, which very gently and seamlessly introduces young children concepts of arithmetic, geometry, accounting and the like. -
A man who seems to slip into and out of the fourth dimension in response to certain stimuli… -
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A history of numbers through various tales aimed at students in grades 5 to 8. -
The greatest brain in history devises a safe which is cracked by an ordinary safe-cracker. -
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A fast-paced novel involving mathematics, the Pyramid of Khufu, and of course, a fabulous treasure. Written in the true spirit of the early twentieth century mystery and adventure novels. -
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A silly take on extending the stereoscopic vision created by two eyes to view the fourth dimension using 3 eyes… -
An “it was all a dream” tale about higher dimensions. -
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A strange tale of a professor of mathematics finding a way into another dimension through an antique mirror… -
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A mathematician delving into the mysteries of higher dimensional mathematics inexplicably obtains a portal into the fourth dimension in his study, which a thief accesses to no good end. -
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A very well-written story about a man who builds a triangular house, with a mathematical formula which leads to the revelation of an illicit affair and the participants in the affair… -
A classic puzzle about “negative coconuts”… woven into a puzzle tale… -
A silly recounting of a misadventure of a mathematics professor in the fourth dimension. -
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An excerpt from a novel which speaks to the beauty of simple mathematics and attempt to convey that sense to a youngster. -
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A message-in-a-bottle, showcasing the trans-dimensional adventure of a professor of mathematics. -
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A mathematical physicist builds a 4-dimensional stereoscope and finds out the ultimate fate of our world… -
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A sleek, if severely flawed, story about predictions using a Fourier-like harmonic analysis of the current state of local reality or of individuals… certainly better than most pulp stories… -
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A higher-dimensional yarn executed with greater amount of explanation than normally found in pulp stories. -
A ticklish story about an eight-year old genius made the top shot at the mathematics department of a college… -
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Cosmic collisions predicted to destroy all of earth in three years… by a mathematical physicist who has solved the general “N-body problem” to make accurate predictions… -
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A very visual, pulpy story about accessing the higher dimension for a hackneyed adventure… -
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An intricately crafted story about a mathematician’s murder-without-malice, to stop mathematics from destroying our reality – or so another professor of mathematics thought… -
A war between some people from earth carried off into space on a flat meteor, and flatland… -
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A brilliant professor finds himself in a predicament in the fourth dimension and ends up tangling with his star student, who wins over his daughter after a few hilarious events. -
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Another sad example of a higher-dimensional story. -
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A story about a physicist who discovers a new world in the fourth dimension... -
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A detective, one Mr. Pearson, catches the crooks using a little geometry. -
A story about a disgruntled student who comes back to his school to demand a refund, only to be outwitted by his mathematics teacher. -
Higher Dimension used to exact justices, with some rueful and comedic consequences… -
A clever idea poorly executed, utilizing a mathematical solution to Maxwell’s equations as a basis for building a time-viewer to peer into the near-future… -
A deliciously over-the-top story which throws in many garbled ideas of physics to sculpt an interplanetary tale of a few heroes and a Martian mega villain… -
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A tongue-in-cheek story making repeated fun of the common, misleading tagline which appeared in many sci fi magazines of the day - Every Story Scientifically Accurate. -
A deft use of geodesics and energy equations to show that sometimes, the fastest path is not the shortest one. -
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A war between earth and mirror-earth in another dimension, where a switch in sign in a mathematical equation saves earth. -
A clever tall-tale about a ship crashing on an odd-duck of a planet, with limited fuel to leave it, and the ingenious solution which saves the day. -
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A funny tall-tale about shooting bullets and golf balls through holes in space, shots heard around the universe… -
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A wrongly-imprisoned man on death-row receives a voice from a higher dimension… and presented with a mortal dilemma… -
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A narrative about a man with a prodigious memory who comes up with his own system of numbering... -
A fourth dimensional adventure using loops of time… -
A strange border wall in Maine which appears to wrap around itself in an inexplicable manner… -
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A far-future story about mankind trying to avert a cosmic calamity by harnessing the laws of probability… -
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A kind-of magic realism merging with a higher-dimension side of pulp stories to create an amusing tale. -
One man’s cosmic fight using mathematical weapons against a universe-destroying wave and alien civilizations... -
Mathematics finds its voice and lives! -
The powerful brain of a young boy which can conjure up an imagined reality…. with startling consequences… -
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A stranded Nazi soldier encounters a strange cave… and a most mysterious man of logic… -
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A very funny, very creative tale of how logarithms might have been invented in ancient times, without it having had to wait for John Napier. -
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A moving story - in the characteristic Bradbury-style - of the love of parents transcending dimensional oddities… -
A murder mystery involving mathematicians, and a discovery of the Fermat's lost theorem. -
A fictionalized autobiography of the famous mathematician Evariste Galois, who is known for his seminal work on group theory. -
A very convoluted story about mirror-image flips through higher dimensions accessed through portable and user-friendly wormholes… -
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A story of the mathematics of gambling and its deployment against a criminal’s “house-advantage”. As a tagline of the story says, “Mathematics is the weapon of Magnus Ridolph when he combats a pirate of space!” -
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A classic story about brilliant professors using their esoteric knowledge to get the better of "The Wolves of Wall Street" -
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How a logician turns the tables on a planetary dictator by subtly using the “he knows that I know that he knows that” logic… -
Surely the fourth dimension has more uses that sticking in a straw to steal juice from closed cans, no? -
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A mysterious wall surrounds an entire planet in a strange universe. Two inhabitants decide to undertake a journey along the wall and see where it leads, trying to find what lies on the other side of it, all set for a remarkable, mind-twisting denouement. -
A trans-dimensional love story with a poignant back-story and an appropriate ending. -
Are four-dimensional beings responsible for all the strange occurrences like “frog rain” reported by Charles Fort and other chroniclers of the mysterious? Would the four-dimensional beings have the same emotions and desires as humans? A limited-range story speaking to these in pulp-format… -
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The text mentions that Ganymedeus exists in multiple dimensions. Mathematics, particularly geometry and topology, could be essential in understanding and visualizing these higher-dimensional spaces. The expressiveness of skiagrams might be analyzed mathematically to understand how different traits correlate with one another, potentially revealing underlying patterns in Ganymedean life. -
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In a world racing toward technological supremacy, the U.S. builds a godlike computer named John that begins producing cryptic, divine messages. As global tensions rise, the machine’s revelations stir both awe and dread—until humanity, terrified of its own creation, silences the voice that might have saved it. -
After a freak accident flips their spaceship through the fourth dimension, two astronauts must determine whether their entire reality has been mirrored—before delivering a critical cargo that could either save or doom Earth. With no physical test to distinguish left from right in a reversed universe, their only hope lies in a crumpled scrap of paper floating in space. -
When a renowned topologist claims to have discovered a surface with no sides, his demonstration at a mathematicians’ banquet spirals into chaos—ending with a man vanishing into another dimension. As reality twists like a Moebius strip, only topology can explain the impossible transformations unfolding in a Chicago nightclub. -
A whimsical yet profound stage play where King Mathematics and his daughter Truth guide a parade of historical thinkers—from Pythagoras to Einstein—through humanity’s evolving understanding of the universe, celebrating the triumph of logic, science, and mathematical reasoning over superstition. -
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An ultra-long range impact on history when the perfectly average man is found… Butterfly Effect in a sociological context… -
A novel involving a quasi-mathematical explanation of ESP and psycho-kinesis… -
A novel about an expedition undertaken by a group of mountaineers to Mount Analogue, a mountain invisible to the outside world, but whose existence can be deduced using science. -
Mathematics plays a significant role in the study of Ganymedeus sapiens, particularly through the work of the mathematician Dr. Rudyard Bjergstein. He utilizes differential calculus to analyze the skiagrams of Ganymedeus aiding researchers in understanding their complex forms and behaviors thus illustrating how mathematical concepts can provide insights into biological and ecological phenomena. -
How visual geometrical estimation fails in front of a clever charlatan… -
The role of mathematics, as suggested by the content of the playlet "Historically Speaking", includes several key aspects like evolution of the Hindu-Arabic numeral system as also systems of measurement, which have historically relied on human body parts like hands and feet. Overall the playlet aims to engage students in a fun way about how mathematics plays a crucial role in various aspects of life, education, and the development of civilization. -
A prisoner without his memory rediscovers his equations of higher dimensions while locked inside a strange room in space… -
A comedic look at how experiments, particularly those in which the researcher has little control over the variables, can get out of hand like an uncontrolled chain-reaction with hilarious effects. -
This story reflects the innovative spirit of scientific inquiry, where mathematics is essential for developing new theories and discovering new compounds, as seen in the characters' attempts to understand and manipulate the properties of the new fuel. Overall, mathematics in "Wait for Weight" serves as a critical tool for the characters in their quest for knowledge, emphasizing its importance in scientific research and discovery. -
The document presents a whimsical narrative centered around Mr. Thaddeus Binder, a quirky and enthusiastic character engaged in philosophic-scientific experiments, particularly focusing on the concepts of replication and compenetrability — the ideas that the same entity could exist in multiple places simultaneously. Mathematics provides the tools for modeling, analyzing, and understanding these complex concepts thereby helping to draw conclusions about the feasibility of such ideas. -
In Ascent into Chaos, mathematics plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Trade Coordination Administration by devising solutions to complex trade issues, thereby helping to maintain stability and prevent conflicts between wealthy and poorer worlds. Overall, mathematics serves as the backbone of the administration's operations, enabling it to function effectively and uphold the principles of the Trade Control Plan. -
A clever story which builds on the idea that scaling some part of the universe while leaving the rest intact leads to strange-sounding, non-intuitive results… -
In Moment Without Time, mathematics plays a crucial role as a means of understanding and potentially manipulating the fabric of reality. The protagonist, Andrei Piridov, formulates a significant equation that relates time to the three spatial dimensions, suggesting that mathematical concepts can unlock deeper truths about existence.Overall, mathematics serves as both a tool for intellectual exploration and a symbol of hope for the characters stuck in an oppressive environment, representing the possibility of transcending their dire circumstances through knowledge and discovery. -
The document presents a lively and educational dialogue among students discussing various aspects of mathematics, including trigonometry, geometry, and algebra. The mention of ancient Egyptians and their engineering skills emphasizes the long-standing significance of mathematics in human civilization. Overall, the piece celebrates mathematics as both a foundational discipline and a vital tool in various professions, underscoring its relevance in both historical and contemporary settings. -
A very satisfying tale which blends some hand-waving magic realism and mathematics to create a vision of the fantastic. -
The story has a magician trying to imply the significant role of Mathematics , particularly through the concepts of topology and geometry for understanding the complexities of magic, illusion, and the human experience. The Klein bottle, a central element in the story, is a mathematical object that challenges conventional notions of inside and outside, reflecting deeper themes of illusion and reality in magic -
When a proud ship is in dire peril in the gulfs between the planets it takes a navigator of heroic mold to bring her safely to port without a single wasted motion. Men either stand or fall by their inner resources, chronicled with a documentary-type realism that adds a new side to the bright, prophetic horizons of tomorrow. -
The excerpt from a science fiction magazine discusses the mathematical probabilities of encountering other sentient races in the galaxy, suggesting that mathematics is used to estimate the likelihood of such events based on the vast number of stars and potential planets.It has snippets of dialogue that hint at complex themes involving technology, probability, and interstellar communication. -
The role of mathematics in the narrative revolves around its application in understanding complex scientific concepts, particularly in the context of sound, frequency, and dimensions. In summary, mathematics serves as a foundational element in the exploration of scientific ideas, enabling characters to engage with complex concepts and pushing the boundaries of their understanding of reality. -
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This is a compelling narrative centered around the character of Julio Gomez, a brilliant yet unconventional mathematician, and his interactions with Dr. Mines and other figures in a government setting. It highlights themes of genius, intuition versus rigor in mathematics, and the ethical implications of scientific work. The contrasting approaches of Gomez and Dr. Mines illustrate the complexities of intellectual collaboration and the challenges faced by those who operate at the fringes of conventional understanding. -
A talisman of Mathematics lands in the real world, with some mystifying effects, articulated in a cleverly-written story… -
The story connects with mathematics primarily through a theory, which posits that magic can be understood and controlled through mathematical principles. It discusses how mathematical tools, particularly calculus, can express relationships and channel energy in a precise manner.Overall, the story presents mathematics as a key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe, suggesting that the laws governing both magic and reality can be understood through rigorous scientific inquiry. -
The story emphasizes the importance of mathematics in scientific exploration and discovery. Dr. Silvers is particularly focused on the Legrandian Equations, which he believes could lead to revolutionary advancements in geometry, akin to the breakthroughs achieved by mathematician Bernhard Riemann. Overall, the connection to mathematics in the story underscores its critical role in scientific progress and the potential dangers of adhering too rigidly to established paths in research. -
This playlet by Kenneth P. Kipp illustrates the historical development of measurement systems from early human times to modern civilization. Through the interactions of cavemen Ug and Og, the play highlights the challenges and ingenuity involved in creating units of measure, emphasizing the importance of standardization in facilitating communication and trade. The narrative transitions from primitive methods of measurement to discussions among scientists in the 18th century about establishing a coherent system of weights and measures, reflecting the ongoing quest for accuracy and simplicity in quantifying the world. Overall, the playlet serves as an engaging educational tool that underscores the significance of measurement in human progress and the evolution of scientific thought. -
This story revolves around a young boy Bobby whose intellectual pursuits and understanding of more complex ideas, including the themes of alien intelligence and the supernatural is because of his mastery in advanced mathematical concepts such as differential calculus, integral calculus, topology, and even Maddows Theory of Transfinite Domains. -
A dream sequence where Numbers come alive and argue about their individual importance, with the number 137 taking on a special oratory role… -
The Mathematics News,a creative play titled designed to engage junior and senior high school students by showcasing the relevance and excitement of mathematics in everyday life. Through various skits and presentations, the play highlights current mathematical topics, historical figures in mathematics, and practical applications of mathematical concepts. -
A comedic class-demonstration of an experiment going awry, causing the entire classroom disappearing into a cosmic hole, lock, stock and barrel… -
This narrative explores themes of altered perception, the nature of reality, and the interplay between technology and human experience. Through the characters of Jack and Paul, it delves into the complexities of scientific experimentation and the potential consequences of manipulating physical laws, such as gravity. The vivid descriptions of the characters' experiences, particularly Jack's disorientation and the surreal atmosphere, highlight the tension between their expectations and the bizarre realities they encounter. Overall, the text invites readers to reflect on the boundaries of human understanding and the unpredictable outcomes of scientific inquiry, suggesting that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to both enlightenment and confusion. -
A very warm, inspiring fictionalization of the life of famed American nautician (if you will, for “a mathematical ocean navigator”), Nathaniel Bowditch. -
This is a scene from a play that emphasizes the significance of mathematics in everyday life through the interactions of a family. Each character shares their experiences related to math, illustrating its practical applications in various activities such as cooking, measuring, and planning. The dialogue highlights how math is intertwined with daily tasks, from measuring ingredients for recipes to calculating time and costs. Overall, the play conveys a message about the omnipresence of math in our lives and encourages a greater appreciation for its role in both simple and complex tasks. The family dynamic adds warmth and relatability, making the educational content engaging and accessible. -
An earthman captured by aliens outwits them by tangling them up in self-referential paradoxes of logic while throwing in Zeno’s paradox for good measure… -
This is a humorous narrative by Ted Russell, centered around a character known as Grampa, who recounts how he acquired a pair of cherished swileskin slippers through a series of clever dealings influenced by the mathematical concept of Algebra. The story illustrates the intersection of everyday life and mathematics, as Grampa's bargaining with a merchant leads to the realization of algebraic principles in practical situations, ultimately resulting in the creation of his treasured slippers. Through this light-hearted anecdote, Russell highlights the importance of resourcefulness and the relatable challenges faced by individuals, particularly those of modest means. -
This narrative is centered around the character Paul and his relationship with Uncle Buno, who plays a significant role in shaping Paul's understanding of art, mathematics, and navigation. Throughout the text, we see Paul's struggles with self-doubt and frustration, particularly in his academic pursuits, as well as his emotional turmoil stemming from familial relationships, the quest for self-acceptance, and the complexities of growing up. The narrative ultimately reflects on the importance of perception, both in art and in life, suggesting that understanding and appreciation can transform one's experiences. -
The story of two children in a future filled with computing devices, who are amazed to discover that people in the olden days used “squiggles” to represent numbers and words. -
A funny “triangular” love story between the three vertices X, Y, Z of a triangle. -
How might an alien threat evaluate humanity’s power of logic to ascertain its chances of success? Would we dismiss the manifestations of such evaluations as irrational hallucinations? Would that, in itself, become a self-fulfilling prophecy? -
This novella explores a tense scenario revolving around a group of scientists grappling with the implications of a catastrophic experiment that threatens the universe. The narrative intricately weaves themes of existential dread, the hubris of humanity in the face of cosmic powers, and a desperate struggle for survival against an awakening entity capable of annihilating existence. The climax culminates in the realization that their actions have unleashed forces beyond their control, leading to an ambiguous but thought-provoking conclusion about the nature of reality and human responsibility. -
An alien helps local police detectives solve a baffling murder case… -
The drama consists of dialogues between characters Class, Int, Form, and Letter, and explores the principles of intuitionism in mathematics, contrasting it with classical logic. Int argues that mathematical existence is tied to mental constructions, rejecting the principle of excluded middle to assert that definitions must be verifiable through constructive methods. The discussion highlights the philosophical implications of accepting intuitionistic mathematics and its potential rejection of classical results, emphasizing the importance of mental constructs over metaphysical assertions. -
The story is set in a secretive research facility in Eden Valley, Colorado, where top-secret projects relating to espionage and advanced scientific research are conducted. The protagonist, Derek Martin, is tasked with safeguarding a critical secret that could be a game-changer in warfare. He navigates a complex web of security, suspicion, and theoretical science, eventually uncovering a multi-layered strategy that aims to entrap espionage agents by making them part of an elaborate decoy system of research that effectively operates through misinformation and obfuscation. -
The power of interest earning interest over time… -
The text reflects on the relationship between abstract mathematics and reality, prompted by a colleague’s musings on mathematical concepts. It critiques the decline in meaningful mathematical exploration, drawing parallels to societal decay, and emphasizes the importance of creativity and practical thinking in scientific endeavors. The concept of the Mobius strip serves as a metaphor for complex thinking.The narrative weaves in personal anecdotes of the author and broader philosophical questions, ultimately lamenting the disconnect between theoretical pursuits and real-world implications. -
This novel by Fred Hoyle explores the implications of a mysterious cosmic cloud approaching Earth which may block sunlight, leading to catastrophic climate changes hence causing concerns about its potential impact on life and the environment. As scientists study the cloud’s properties and trajectory, they debate the likelihood of a catastrophic event while grappling with political and ethical dilemmas regarding the dissemination of their findings.The narrative highlights the vulnerabilities of Earth to cosmic phenomena, suggesting that humanity’s understanding of the universe is still limited and that such threats can emerge unexpectedly, challenging our preparedness. -
The novella features a fictional correspondence revolving around the historical figure Isaac Newton, exploring his theoretical works and interactions in a setting filled with mathematical and scientific inquiries. The narrative captures the tension between Newton's groundbreaking ideas on calculus and physics and the skepticism of his contemporaries, emphasizing the challenges of historical research and the influence of modern scientific principles. The plot suggests that Newton's letters to military officials reveal insights into his work on ballistics and artillery. It highlights the struggle of balancing genius with the skepticism of peers and the establishment within the field of mathematics and science. -
A funny short story about a higher-dimensional object accidentally opening up in our 3D world. -
In this short story, a technician Aub demonstrates a revolutionary method of computation without computers, called graphitics, which impresses military leaders. As Aub’s abilities are explored, the potential for human computation to replace machines in warfare becomes evident. However, Aub struggles with the ethical implications of his discovery, ultimately leading to his tragic decision to end his life, while Programmer Shuman revels in the newfound power of the human mind and embraces the capabilities of human thought.The story raises questions about the moral responsibility of inventors and the potential misuse of their creations. -
A mathematical huckster swindles his way to continued solvency through probability theory…. till he gets a taste of his own medicine… -
The text discusses the experiences of four friends — a scientist, economist, historian, and mathematician — at Cambridge University. Each friend approaches their studies and future careers differently. While the scientist finds success in academia, the economist turns to sports, the historian aims for politics, and the mathematician struggles but eventually finds a role in programming due to the rise of automation. The story illustrates how diverse paths can lead to unexpected outcomes in life. Moral of the story emphasizes the unpredictability of success. -
If mathematical abilities could be transferred from another person to yourself, would you regret the side-effects? -
Mrs. Warner makes an aesthetic flower arrangement, which inadvertently turns into a four-dimensional object because of a balloon and its magnetic paint… -
The story revolves around Mike Conyers, a philosopher invited to a secretive desolate research facility surrounded by barbed wire, Fort Athlan, where scientists aim to create a breakthrough into another dimension using the Housemann-Crane Discontinuity Theorem. As Conyers navigates the ethical and existential implications of their dangerous experiment, he discovers a plot involving a nuclear missile and the potential for catastrophic consequences. Ultimately, he takes drastic measures to prevent the misuse of knowledge that could lead to self-destruction. Conyers’ ultimate decision leads to an explosive conclusion, questioning humanity’s responsibility in the face of power. -
An earthman captured by aliens outwits them by tangling them up in a game of Tower of Hanoi… -
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“Psichopath” by Darrel T. Langart explores a secret government agency called Society for Mystical and Metaphysical Research which operates under the guise of studying paranormal phenomena utilizing psionic powers like telepathy to investigate a sabotage. The characters possess abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy to solve problems. The story delves into the complex interplay of scientific theory, psychological conflict, and the implications of psionics, ultimately revealing deeper themes of truth and perception in the realm of science. The conflict between established scientific theories and emerging data is central to the plot. The story culminates in a confrontation that challenges the characters’ convictions. -
A cautionary tale for all those who have not focused on polishing their mathematics skills. Someday, you may not be able to save a friend for lack of a suitable algebraic equation… -
An emotional, sensitively written example of a short story of magic realism, in the classic tradition of Borges and Cortazar. Most of the story revolves around the main character’s frame of existence, which is also the rationale for the story, building toward its slow finale. -
This whimsical tale is about a mathematician Stan Situs who is seeking an approval from his girlfriend Vera’s father for their marriage. Stan proposes a revolutionary shoe manufacturing process using a Mobius twist, which he believes will allow for the production of only right-footed shoes that can be converted into left-footed ones. After a perilous journey to the Amazon, Stan returns with only right shoes, but discovers he has become a mirror image of himself, resulting in humorous and unexpected challenges. The Mobius strip symbolizes the complexity and interconnectedness of life, suggesting that appearances can be deceiving, much like Stan’s transformation into a mirror image. It also emphasizes the potential for scientific inquiry to revolutionize everyday life, even in unexpected ways. -
A short story about Hek Belov who after a brief stint at jail, returns to the chaotic world of technology and culinary delights, only to find himself embroiled in another bizarre situation. He encounters a project gone wrong involving molecular imaging and a scientist named Bragden, who has been trapped in a strange dimension. With a blend of humor and cynicism, Belov navigates the absurdities of contemporary society, ultimately confronting the consequences of reckless scientific ambition. It challenges the notion of what makes a person unique and the implications of technology on self-perception. -
The Midnight Club gathered for their Winter session in a festive mood, with President Vance Seaton organizing a surprise entertainment program instead of a guest speaker.The venue was a charming country house with a festive ambiance.The identity of the performers was kept a secret until the event. The evening culminated with the performance of illusionists Levito and Gloria, who captivated the members with a series of impressive magic tricks. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, and the audience was left wondering whether the illusions were mere tricks or real magic.The lingering uncertainty about the tricks performed created an air of mystery, engaging the audience’s imagination. This element of mystery is crucial in storytelling and performance, inviting deeper engagement. -
The story explores the tension between statistical predictions made for groups and the unpredictable nature of individual intuition. Charles Bascomb, a statistical analyst, grapples with the implications of his work when he encounters anomalies in insurance claims tied to the influence of Dr. J. Coleman Magruder, who promotes intuitive decision-making. As Bascomb begins to experience his own intuition, he faces a conflict between the structured world of statistics and the chaotic potential of individual insight.The story critiques institutions (like insurance) that prioritize profits over people, revealing ethical dilemmas in their operations. This is a commentary on how modern systems can become detached from the individuals they serve, leading to exploitation. -
A short story where a mathenaut who is a topologist, describes his fifth trip aboard the spaceship Abrecht Dold, under the Private Enterprises Act. The spaceship's crew, comprises of eccentric individuals like a physicist, a pataphysicist and a meta-mathematician. The protagonist struggles with a malfunction in the ship’s systems, leading to a tense situation as the walls of the ship begin to close in. The story reflects the challenges and peculiarities of space travel in a mathematical context. The diverse backgrounds of the crew members illustrate the importance of collaboration across different scientific disciplines in achieving complex goals. -
A charming, if extremely pulpish, story about one of those mathematical physicists who miraculously find a way of implementing their wildest of ideas… and how bipeds and the English language are obviously present in the deepest recesses of reality… -
An essay by Art Buchwald which humorously critiques the complexities of New Math that leave both children and parents confused. He illustrates this through a personal anecdote where he struggles to help his daughter with a simple subtraction problem, leading to a comical conversation with her teacher about the convoluted methods of modern mathematics. The essay highlights the disconnect between traditional math methods and contemporary educational practices. -
Mr. Fortescue had real problems. He was losing everything that walked into his brand new House of Fun, Magic and Mystery. Which naturally called for some very fancy dimensional analysis... -
A short story about how cosmic constructors Trurl and Klapaucius engage in inventive rivalry. Trurl, seeking redemption after creating a faulty calculating machine, builds a poetry-writing machine. Despite initial failures, the machine becomes a sensation, outshining human poets, leading to chaos and conflict. Ultimately, Trurl’s creation spirals out of control, resulting in unintended consequences and a dramatic shift in the universe’s poetic landscape, forcing him to hide from the fallout of his invention. -
A one-act play from a collection of royalty-free plays for junior actors. The story revolves around Timothy Schoolboy, who renounces arithmetic, leading to chaos in King Arithmetic’s court. With the help of Lord Calculation and the King Arithmetic's four daughters, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Timothy realises the importance of arithmetic in daily life. Ultimately, Timothy learns to appreciate numbers and returns to school. -
An alien time-traveler faces off with the celestial toymaker in the Trilogic game, a ten-piece puzzle similar to the Towers of Hanoi problem. -
The story intertwines music, science, and existential questions. The protagonist, a composer, grapples with a profound melody that emerges during a retreat to Cornwall. As he navigates the complexities of creativity and modern music, he is drawn into a mysterious scientific phenomenon involving signals from the Sun. The narrative explores the intersection of human emotion, consciousness, and the potential existence of extraterrestrial intelligence and raises profound questions about consciousness and the nature of reality, challenging characters (and readers) to consider wider possibilities. -
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One way of solving the humanity’s problems related to war in the distant future… As the saying in Hindi goes, take away the bamboo in the flute, and the noisy flute will automatically be taken care of… -
A poignant story of a human society spread out in the solar system, where the protagonist is imprisoned in a Klein Bottle. -
This short story features dialogues among historical figures like Socrates, Archimedes, and Galileo discussing the nature and applications of mathematics. Socratic dialogue explores the essence of mathematical existence, while Archimedes discusses the practical applications of mathematics in warfare. Galileo reflects on the conflict between science and the Church, emphasizing the importance of empirical observation and experimentation in scientific inquiry.The characters express the significance of pursuing knowledge despite challenges and opposition. -
A story of a wealthy media mogul who goes up against a major drug ring, sprinkled with references to probability and related mathematical concepts. -
A magical tale about a planet where mathematics and mathematical thought can neutralize the harmful spells of wizards… -
A topologist shows how to trap living things, including unwanted lovers, inside a tessaract. -
An innovative satire on the process by which bureaucracy and official regimentation insidiously pervade society. In a dead-pan, pseudo-scientific tone, the nameless narrator takes us on a tour of a bizarre village whose inhabitants lead such habitual, regulated lives that they resemble elements in a mathematical equation. -
A grad student is asked to solve a math puzzle by his professor in order to win his daughter’s hand in marriage. -
A short story about Michael, who seeks to use monkeys and typewriters to replicate Shakespeare’s works as a punishment for Boshel, who hesitated at the dawn of time. Through cosmic cycles, Boshel learns about time and randomness as the monkeys work to produce Shakespearean texts, facing various challenges and humorous setbacks until they finally approach success, all while the universe undergoes cycles of creation and collapse. -
The text discusses the historical scarcity of female mathematicians, suggesting that societal traditions and gender biases may stem from ancient times. And this is highlighted through the humorous diary which is a fictional excerpt by Zoe, a young girl in ancient Greece who is taught by Plato. It highlights the challenges she faced due to Plato’s rigid views on gender roles in education. The narrative reflects on how these antiquated beliefs regarding traditional gender roles have formed negative perceptions about women being less capable in mathematics thus historically limiting their participation. It suggests that changing these perceptions requires addressing long-standing educational and cultural biases. -
A short story about how an ancient Greek mathematician named Thales, attempts to calculate the height of a pyramid while in Egypt. Despite his complex calculations involving angles and trigonometry, is interrupted by a curious boy who suggests a simpler method using shadow proportions. Ultimately, Thales realizes the boy’s approach is effective, leading to a notable achievement in the history of mathematics. -
A short story where one of the character named Lije Baley encounters two robots telling contradictory stories about a dispute between mathematicians Dr. Humboldt and Dr. Sabbat. The Three Laws of Robotics prevent robots from lying, complicating the investigation. Both mathematicians claim the same revolutionary idea, leading to a stalemate. Baley interviews the robots, discovering one robot is lying to protect its master's reputation. Ultimately, Baley deduces that Dr. Humboldt is guilty of plagiarism based on the robots' responses and human behavioral analysis. -
“The Mathematical Princess and Other Stories” by Robert Nye features whimsical tales, including the story of Clare, King Cole’s mathematical daughter, who struggles to find a suitor clever enough to marry her. King Cole devises a contest where suitors must endure her lectures on mathematics, leading to many beheadings of those who fall asleep. Ultimately, a shepherd named Walt wins her heart not through cleverness, but by being genuinely interested in her, showcasing that love transcends intellect.Other stories in the collection explore themes of magic and morality.Nye’s tales are aimed at young readers, blending humor and moral lessons, suggesting that choices have significant consequences, whether in love or life. -
A story about a statistician who believes in the second coming of Christ, and looks for proof in various correlations. -
A story about a group of astronauts who are stranded in space, and make fundamental discoveries in mathematics to save themselves. -
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A story about decoding a short string of numbers, which is the combination to open a safe. -
Mathematically advanced bees on an alien planet, collecting “nectar of knowledge” for the “honey of experience”. -
A short story about a man discovering mathematical diagrams in his grandfather's diary from the 1800s, which helps him fold sheets of paper in a manner which make them disappear, and also discover that people can be folded in a similar manner and can be made to disappear... -
Accessing the higher dimension for contraception, with some terrible results in an avoidable story. -
The narrative recounts the life and tragic death of mathematician Martin Gardner, touching on his groundbreaking work in topology and the implications of a proof by Professor Paul David that challenges the foundations of Euclidean geometry. David’s proof introduces a philosophical crisis in mathematics, challenging long-held beliefs and inviting skepticism about foundational truths. As Dr. Donald Lucus grapples with the fallout of this revelation, he faces the tension between scientific truth and the societal consequences of such knowledge, ultimately leading to a complex interplay between mathematics, philosophy, and morality. -
A tax auditor at the IRS, who is a devoted family man, narrates to a group of gentlemen about one of his solved cases, in which a mathematician with no family adopts a false identity as a computer serviceman and goes on to reprogram a main computer, ultimately receiving huge tax returns while paying no taxes. -
The story set in a future world follows a man named Manuel Abdul Jones who is on trial for murdering a company officer, the judge being a machine. After considering every aspect of his life and the societal complexities surrounding him, and being questioned about his motives, the infallible machine coldly deliberates and ultimately judges that while he is guilty, he is also a product of a flawed system that compels individuals to act violently. In the end, the machine declares him free, leaving the question of true justice and moral responsibility unresolved. -
In “The Missing Item,” the Black Widowers Society debates Emmanuel Rubin’s rejected story about a locksmith conspiracy, sparking a discussion on belief systems. Jonathan Thatcher voices concerns about his wife’s involvement with the Mars-focused Tri-Luciferian cult. Analyzing the cult leader’s claims, the group identifies the omission of Earth’s Moon, exposing flaws in the cult’s ideology. -
A Scotsman chasing blue tigers discovers magical stones that defy arithmetic. -
The story takes place in Leningrad, USSR, apparently in the 1970s.The protagonist, Dmitry Alekseyevich Malyanov is an astrophysicist who realizes that he is on the verge of a revolutionary discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize. But then bizarre events start to disrupt his work, which include mysterious visitors, unexplained gifts, and a neighbor's death that implicates him in a murder. Malyanov and his peers realize a mysterious force is sabotaging their scientific pursuits across various fields. Mathematician Vecherovsky theorizes this as the Universe's homeostatic resistance to prevent advanced civilizations from destabilizing its equilibrium. Under mounting pressure, most abandon their research, leaving Vecherovsky to confront the cosmic resistance alone. -
A story about a man who could never make a decision, but got into the business of making predictions for others. -
A mathematician’s close encounter of the drunken kind with an alien, leading to membership in a galactic club... -
A short story about a mathematician whose love for mathematics helps him survive the war. -
A play set in 540 B.C., showcasing Thales' life in Miletus and Egypt, written by Rolf Grunseit around 1977. It introduces Thales as a wise man of ancient Greece, exploring themes of mathematics, trade and economics, and the challenges of his time, particularly against the backdrop of war and piracy. The play highlights Thales’ innovative thinking and practical mathematics, including measuring the height of pyramids using shadows. The play creatively demonstrates mathematical concepts through drama, making it a unique educational tool. It showcases how practical applications of mathematics were essential for survival and success in ancient times. -
An unknown, abstract piece of information—which could be stored on tape, transmitted over a telephone line, displayed on a screen, and so forth - known as “the Riddle,” induces catatonic state in readers, an illness dubbed “the Riddle coma.” All evidence seems consistent with the once-bizarre hypothesis that any human who encountered this information lapsed into an apparently irreversible freezing of the mind... -
A Korean tale that connects the philosophical pursuits of rural factory workers to the Klein bottle. -
A short Korean story about the parallels between real life situations and the Mobius srip. -
A story that revolves around a seven year old unusually genius boy named Elijah Brandon, and a dangerous multiyear mission to search for outer rim of the known Universe with the help of a spaceship. The title "double möbius sphere", also called the twisted cylinder, which has a one-sided surface and looks like an infinite loop with no boundaries is basically used as a metaphor to summarise the story. The setting is several centuries from now, in a federation of most of the lesser sentient species, such as humans. It turns out that the telepathic boy may have unlocked the secret to the universe by decoding an uncrackable message received from aliens called Capacians. The protagonist and several others believe it to be a tragedy, and are convinced that "discovering everything" will ruin the human race and everything they have fought for. -
A short story about how the central character Adrian Rosen, fearful that he is developing cancer, gets obssessed about his health. For stopping the cancer to spread further, he starts his research at sleep lab along with his colleagues. He goes on to explore the relationship between his dreams and cancer, proposing that dreams may signal impending health issues, and concludes that the subconscious mind could have more profound insights into our physical state than previously understood. He uses mathematical concepts to explain the abrupt transitions in health. He contemplates a radical surgery to change his interaction with dreams and this fixation strains his relationships with his colleagues. The narrative reflects on the intersections of science, psychology, and the nature of existence. -
The narrative unfolds on a sun deck where three characters—Diana, James, and Maya—engage in contemplative dialogue interspersed with reflections on their lives and relationships. At the center of their discussions is Eric Lighter, a mathematician and Diana's ex-husband, who is grappling with the effects of mental health challenges. As the characters absorb the warmth of their surroundings, themes of memory, existential reflection, and the passage of time emerge,particularly through Diana's yearning to understand Eric's recent struggles and the transformative nature of their shared histories. The conversation primarily consists of witty exchanges on such subjects as education, religion, the need for sunscreen, society's way of handling people with mental disorders, and some "cringy" discussions about human race.Mathematics plays no role in regards to the plot besides the stereotypes that connect mathematics with both intelligence and insanity. -
A short story about an alien life in the shape of a Mobius strip. -
A plain story about a math professor's interactions with his students. -
A short story about two lovers, Terry and Edith, who experience profound intimacy and emotional release during therapy sessions, leading to improved relations and personal growth.However, they discover that time has seemingly stopped around them, as their clocks freeze and the outside world becomes motionless. As they navigate their relationship and the challenges of their rent-controlled apartment, they become aware of a deeper mystery involving time manipulation, suggesting a blend of love and science fiction. -
A story where a recurring character from "Black Widower" mysteries, Tom Trumbull, seeks to persuade an unconventional mathematician—who is simultaneously tackling Goldbach's conjecture—that his secret password lacks security and that combinations are crucial for creating a robust password. -
A small mystery about guessing a telephone number from two simple clues. -
A story of the out-of-body experiences of a mathematician working on the Continuum Hypothesis. -
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The text discusses themes from various works of science fiction and culture, focusing on the evolving portrayal of isolating figures like heroes and rebels in literature and film. It contrasts traditional characters who rebelled against societal norms with contemporary depictions of individuals such as Roy Neary from Steven Spielberg's SciFi movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Neary sacrifices his family and stability for a connection with benevolent extraterrestrials, echoing a longing for deeper meaning and connection in life. The narrative emphasizes the price of such journeys, suggesting that real progress often involves prolonged struggle and personal sacrifice, ultimately advocating for a shift towards more relatable, grounded heroes in modern storytelling. -
The story about how a Captain named Roy Kramer,w ho is an air corps pilot in a corporation that offers flight simulations of historical battles, gets unexpectedly trapped in an alternate universe where he encounters a mysterious fog and an airfield filled with British pilots from World War II, and how he navigates these challenges while dealing with the implications of time travel and love. This narrative blends elements of science fiction, mathematics, adventure, and romance, exploring the consequences of one's actions across different timelines. -
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A story about how mathematicians create a device called the Moddle, allowing legislators to experience the thoughts of a great mathematician regarding his greatest theorems, giving users a momentary feeling of understanding and appreciation for the results, which would help in the funding of their science. -
A short story about how the police find and detonate a real bomb with the help of clues received through a series of fake bomb threat letters mailed to various New York reporters from different publications. The police manage to crack the mystery about the exact location of real bomb by tracing the source of letters. -
A short story in which the central characters discuss an infinite set of numbers and their spellings, and how to arrange them in an alphabetical order, and from they infer this how to guess the next number in the alphabetical sequence. -
A story about a retired computer scientist Cobb Anderson, who was once tried for treason for figuring out how to give robots artificial intelligence and free will, creating the race of boppers. By 2020, they have created a complex society on the Moon, where the boppers developed because they depend on super-cooled superconducting circuits. -
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A story about an alien spaceship that brings a one-sided ideal mirror as a gift to Earth. -
A fable about a frog and a mouse battle, to indicate a fight between mathematicians Hilbert and Brouwer. -
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A very satisfying tale of the far future from an alien planet, where an ancient game of choice offered by a Higher Power is played out. -
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A short novel that discusses how a blind geometer might visualize abstract spaces, and touches upon some results from projective geometry as well. -
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A story about the author's conversation with an old anthropology professor Thelma Beyer and her research on how different types of neural hardwiring in different humans allows them to look at same things or scenarios in different ways. -
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A sad tale of a college girl, Gilberte, who has a penchant for mathematics, a quality which she inherited from her father. Gilberte has thoughts of being with “someone quiet and dreamy, who will smile when you mention the pleasure of numbers. Someone from the same field to talk projective geometry with in the evenings". But she gets married to the first man she met at a dance, has five children, and ends up unning a fish and chip shop. -
A story about two brothers who look for some surfing opportunities using mathematics and chaos theory. -
A horror story about the obsession of a wealthy man with unusual objects, which he believes to be puzzles designed to test him. -
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A story about a young depressed mathematician, who faces trouble coming to terms with the uncertainty of mathematics. -
Dr. Lyle Thaddius has been a practicing psychiatrist for 30 years, dedicated to resolving the inner conflicts and demons of all who need help. He takes on a new patient, Juan Gris, who insists on the doctor visiting his house for the counseling sessions, at 3 times the normal fees. Gris, it turns out, is an extremely old man, past 100 likely, who lives in what is described as a “madman’s house”. -
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A giggle-worthy drama where the author, a mathematician himself, has shoe-horned the concept of 'Pfister Forms' into 4 scenes of Shakespeare’s 'Hamlet'... -
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In this story, a mathematician is bemoaning the fact that he is not recognized or appreciated for any of his contributions to calculus or probability. Then, inspired by something his wife said, he instead decides that he might be remembered for something he didn't do. Browsing for ideas, he stumbles upon the Pythagorean Theorem... -
A story about Jacob Appel, a Nobel Laureate, who is also acknowledged by nearly everyone as the "world’s greatest living mathematician”. He creates a mathematical proof that it was possible, in pure maths at least, to send non-living objects back in time. And to prove this, he sends back a paper from 2005 to 1926. -
A humorous Genesis-style history of math, which begins with the Mother of Mathematicians (MOM) creating numbers, and ending with Godel and Hilbert showing that "the foundations of math are built on sand". -
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A horror/suspense novel, where a government mathematician sees reality collapse around him, as his life is filled with bizarre incidents... -
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A woman becomes a central figure in the disruption of the laws of probability, with some cosmic consequences. -
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A Socratic dialogue where a professor tries to help his student compute the sum of the first N whole numbers. -
A very short story from the ultramundane realm about a mathematical physicist who lives up high in an attic of a house. One fine morning, on his blackboard, he finds Einstein’s formula E=mc2 written in a corner, and next to it, a strange, haunting extension of the formula. The formula makes no sense and yet, he is filled with a sense of admiration and fascination about the existence of a higher dimension to it. -
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An interesting short tale in which the Roman mathematician Diophantus mysteriously travels through time, and finds himself in a modern-day lecture on "Diophantine equations". -
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A fictional newsreport from the Roman Empire, which reports a conversation in the household of the mathematician Diophantus, where the mathematician's wife gives him a neat idea. -
A murder mystery, featuring a know-it-all kid detective who has a magical god’s eye-view of everything, and helps solve the murder case with help of Pythagoras theorem. -
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A Flatland-inspired story of a mathematical professor obsessed with metaphysics and geometric tessellations. -
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A short story involving Einstein, Morgenstern, and Godel, where Godel finds a logical flaw in the OS constitution when applying for citizenship. -
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A short story where people receive religious spam messages. Contains ideas of the universe being a universal quantum Turing machine. -
A short tale about Euler's famous graph of the Konigsberg bridges. -
A short description of a self-similar fractal town. -
A short narrative about the discovery of irrational numbers and various geometric concepts by the ancient Greeks. -
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A short story about the musings of a calculus professor as he sets a final exam for his class. -
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A letter from an PhD supervisor to his recently graduated doctoral student, where he discusses his unpublished work on Godel's Incompleteness Theorem. -
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A conversation between a mathematician and his precocious daughter about number theory and the importance of proofs. -
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A young girl discovers an arcane mathematical spell scribbled by her grandfather, which threatens the very existence of the universe. -
Two students discover the magic of harmonic series by stacking books at the edge of a table. -
A short story where twenty-six famous mathematicians, whose last names just happen to each begin with a different one of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, have a realization at the same moment about a brilliant but previously unnoticed result involving the binomial theorem. -
A clever fictional story about how the mathematician Cantor outwits a dragon that imposes conditions on his ascension to heaven... -
A short story involving a female mathematician with a flair for growing vegetables, baking pies, and solving crimes... -
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An interesting story about a girl named Brenda, who has autism and obsessive compulsion disorder, and doesn't have any friends. But it doesn't matter much because she spends all her time looking for mathematical rhymes and patterns in everything around her, specially based on how many corvids (a bird in the crow family) she counts in a day. -
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A story about a famous 20th century mathematician who is pulled into the future to help them save the Earth. -
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A Dr. Who story involving Pythagoras and an inter-dimensional gateway. -
A story about the chaos that unfolds when the Euler's Equation stops being true... -
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A short story about a mathematician’s study to see the multi-linguistic pluralism of an object through a single language, which is commonly known as translation. According to him, translation refers to the shadow of one language on another, and by paying attention to the angle formed by the distance between the languages that define the space, he has proven that an observed object can be calculated as the same square matrix as the number of languages from one set of observed data. -
A narrator compares the choices in relationships and other aspects of life with games like the Monty Hall Problem. -
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A mathematician who is up for tenure collaborates with his professor-emeritus father in unusual ways, to prove a hypothesis... -
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A scientist discovers the "Theory of Everything", an equation that explains all of Creation. She uses numerical simulation to compute an approximate version of the equation, only to realize that this "perturbation" created the Universe as we know it. -
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Genesis from the Bible and the Nasadiya Sukta from the Rig Veda are cleverly rewritten to describe a mathematical God and the origin of mathematics. -
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An exquisitely crafted epic poem that marries mathematical concepts with literary and mythological references to explain the emergence of incompleteness in modern mathematics. -
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This poem is a metaphysical reflection on the nature and philosophy of mathematics, explored through a parable of a battle for supremacy between the constants of mathematics.
