3 TV Shows for Math Geeks

Normally math and television are thought of like oil and water: they don't really mix well when thrown together. Even in science fiction, math is exaggerated or ignored altogether. (why were people able to stand on spaceships in Star Trek? The force of gravity shouldn't be that strong!)

However, as these three examples show, sometimes the two can mix for compelling entertainment for everyone!


Numb3rs



On a show about solving crimes, it may seem a little strange to see someone writing formulas on a chalkboard. However, it isn't done just for show. The show employed several mathematical consultants to help when writing the equations. While the show has received a little criticism for sometimes scrupulously connecting the math with the situation, the math on the show has been deemed accurate and valid by several mathematicians!

Big Bang Theory

 


In a show about four physicists, math inevitably makes an appearance. Often the mathematical references on the show become a part of the pop culture lexicon (Schrodinger's Cat, for example). It has even inspired a mathematical proof! On one episode of the show, Sheldon, the main character, said that his favorite number was 73. Why? 73 has a prime index is 21. This means that 73 is the 21st smallest prime number. Flipping around 21 results in 12. What number has a prime index of 12? 37, which is, of course, 73 flipped around. Dartmouth College professor and fan of the show Carl Pomerance was curious as to whether or not this was the only case in which this was possible, and wrote a proof on the subject. A section of the proof even appeared in the background of the episode titled "The Inspiration Deprivation!" The proof can be found here.

 
Futurama



Even though this show is animated and features a fair amount of science fiction elements, a lot of the math featured in the show is fairly accurate - several of the writers on the show had Ph.D's in math. One of them, Ken Keeler, wrote a proof that ended up tying into the show's plot! WARNING: The following will contain mild spoilers of "The Prisoner of Benda".
In the episode, Professor Farnsworth creates a machine that will allow two people to switch bodies. However, the machine won't allow two people to swap back if they have switched minds with each other already. Thus, when characters on the show want to try out the machine, they end up in entirely different bodies with no clear way to get them out. However, a few mathematicians are summoned by the professor, and eventually figure out a solution: if two additional people are added, there exists a way for people to return to their original bodies despite the limitations of the machine! This proof is allegedly the first time a television show has been used to prove something, and it makes for compelling TV! The proof can be found here.

Everyday Math: Your Favorite Hit Series

“When will I even use this stuff?” This question can be heard echoing off the walls of math classrooms everywhere. Okay sure, no one is going to approach you on the street and ask you to calculate the value of x. However, it is impossible to deny that mathematics is everywhere. Here at the Center of Math, we want to make math accessible to mathematicians, but also to people who may not appreciate the roll math plays in their everyday lives. This blog series will highlight unexpected areas where math may be hiding.

Math in your Favorite Hit Series 

Whether its channel surfing in your living room or heading to your local theater, the entertainment industry is a guilty pleasure for almost everyone. With your hands full of popcorn and thoughts submersed in the show, you may not realize how large of a roll math plays in some of your favorite movies and television shows. Here are some television series and movies that include story lines centered on mathematics. 

The Simpsons

Believe it or not, this long-time beloved American cartoon regularly includes a heavy dose of mathematics. In fact, the team of writers includes some paramount mathematicians. Executive producer Al Jean studied mathematics at Harvard, and Jeff Westbrook found himself on the Simpsons team after serving as a senior researcher at Yale. Their love for academia can be found in a wide array of mathematical references throughout the series. Some are very blatant, as full episodes are based on a mathematical storyline. This is the case in "MoneyBart", where Lisa manages Bart's baseball team using her keen sense of math. Other references are well concealed within the comedy and may only be obvious to those well-versed in the area. In "Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play", three numbers appear on a jumbotron. These numbers seem random to the viewers, but the mathematicians-turned-writers deliberately chose 8128, 8208, and 9181– a perfect number, a narcissistic number, and a Mersenne prime. The most famous Simpsons math moment is when Homer jots an equation on board, in an effort to create an annoying noise, and as a result disproves Fermat's last theorem.

Click here to watch: Simon Singh discusses The Simpsons and Fermat's Last Theorem 

The Big Bang Theory 

The math references in this television show may be more obvious than those in The Simpsons, but the importance of math in the show's dynamic can not be denied. The Big Bang Theory documents the life of a group of 5 'nerdy' physicist friends. The humor that drives the show comes from the witty comedic interactions that occur and the interesting way that the show plays on 'academic' stereotypes. The show has a science and math consultant, Dr. David Saltzberg, who checks the accuracy and relevancy of the jokes on the show. Each episode includes a whiteboard that is crawling with real equations. One of the actresses, Mayim Bialik, even has a Ph. D in neuroscience that backs up her character's role on the show.


Futurama 

Many of the same comedic, mathematical masterminds that are credited with The Simpsons, also write for Futurama. The creator, David Cohen squeezes comedy into every inch of the screen. He makes use of background space, which is where many of the mathematical references can be found. Only a certain niche of people will take note of these jokes, and it makes the show seem custom-tailored to their interests. The writers of Futurama even created a theory specifically for the show. Ken Keeler created the "Futurama Theorem", which was the first mathematical proof designed specifically for entertainment purposes. He was also interested in portraying mathematics as fun and exciting, in order to attract young viewers to the field. 

Click here to watch: Futurama Theorem