MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Solve for X (2024)
Wil Forbis
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This is a supernatural murder mystery in which the victim is a math tutor. An incorrect method for solving linear equations with a parameter are part of the clue which leads to the capture of the murderer, an evil math teacher.

This is one of many works of "mathematical horror" in the collection "Arithmophobia" (self-published by editor Robert Lewis). Some of the other works in that collection will have their own entries here, but others are excluded either because they did not qualify as "mathematical fiction" according to the standards of this website. Check out the book if you want to see them all.

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.com.
(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 Solve for X
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. Lost and Found by Joe Stout
  2. Asymmetrical Dreams by Josh Snider
  3. Erasthones' Map by Damon Nomad
  4. Old Fillikin by Joan Aiken
  5. Grigori’s Solution by Isobelle Carmody
  6. The Lions in the Desert by David Langford
  7. Let's Consider Two Spherical Chickens by Tommaso Bolognesi
  8. Lord Darcy by Randall Garrett
  9. Danny’s Inferno by Albert Cowdrey
  10. Passing Through by Robert Weinberg
Ratings for Solve for X:
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:
2/5 (1 votes)
..
Literary Quality:
3/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreMystery, Fantasy, Horror,
MotifEvil mathematicians, Math Education,
Topic
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)