MathFiction: Ten (Isaac Asimov)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Ten (1986)

Isaac Asimov
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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We might argue that the particular words and symbols we use to express mathematical concepts are not as important as the concepts themselves...and mathematically that may well be the case. However, the point of this rare Asimov story is that in certain circumstances they are quite important. Here, Asimov's running mystery character Griswold uses number words and number symbols to decipher the final message delivered a beautiful French agent who had been captured by the Nazis.

Published in the August 1986 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

(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 Ten

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

Child's Play by Isaac Asimov
1 to 999 by Isaac Asimov
The Math Code by Alex Kasman
The Zero Clue by Rex Stout
Getting the Combination by Isaac Asimov
Flame War: A Cyberthriller by Joshua Quittner / Michelle Slatalla
Qui perd gagne! by Laurent Bénégui (Director)
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer
Go, Little Book by Isaac Asimov
Sixty Million Trillion Combinations by Isaac Asimov

Ratings for Ten:

Ratings

Have 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:
1/5 (1 votes)

Literary Quality:
2/5 (1 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Mystery, Adventure/Espionage,
Motif
Topic
Medium	Short 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)