MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Mathematics of Magic Carpets (2013)
Sara Maitland
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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A story that brings the mathematician , inventor of what we call "algebra", to life. He talks to his daughter about his goals of adding something new to mathematics that could be claimed by Muslim culture, just as the Greeks had with geometry and the Hindus with their number system. The story is followed by a non-fictional "afterword" that provides some historical and mathematical context.

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.co.uk.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Mathematics of Magic Carpets
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Jester and the Mathematician by Alan R. Gordon
  2. The Divine Proportions of Luca Pacioli by W.A.W. Parker
  3. The Man Who Counted : A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan
  4. The Trachtenberg Speed System by Buzz Mauro
  5. The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung
  6. The Ishango Bone by Paul Hastings Wilson
  7. Instantiation by Greg Egan
  8. The Measure of Eternity by Sean McMullen
  9. Pythagoras's Darkest Hour by Colin Adams
  10. The Fairytale of the Completely Symmetrical Butterfly by Dietmar Dath
Ratings for The Mathematics of Magic Carpets:
RatingsHave you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.
Mathematical Content:
4/5 (1 votes)
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Literary Quality:
3/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction,
MotifReal Mathematicians,
TopicAlgebra/Arithmetic/Number Theory,
MediumShort Stories,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)