MathFiction: 1 to 999 (Isaac Asimov)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

...
1 to 999 (1981)

Isaac Asimov
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
...

When cryptologists try to break a simple code, one of the key clues is the frequency with which letters appear. In English, the letter "a" is one of the most frequently used letters. It is therefore curious to note (and this is the clue to the solution of this "mystery") that when one writes out the names of the non-negative integers ("zero, one, two, three, ...") one does not use an "a" until one thousand! (Watch out for the bad pun at the end!)
First published in Twilight Zone magazine (1981) and reprinted in Mathenauts.

More information about this work can be found at another page on this Website.
(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 1 to 999

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

Child's Play by Isaac Asimov
Ten by Isaac Asimov
One Under the Eight by Catherine Aird
The Math Code by Alex Kasman
The Mathematicians of Grizzly Drive by Josef Skvorecky
Cardano and the Case of the Cubic by Jeff Adams
Getting the Combination by Isaac Asimov
Bianca by Nanni Moretti (director and screenplay)
Probability Murder by Michael Flynn
Mangum, P.I. by Colin Adams

Ratings for 1 to 999:

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:
1.75/5 (4 votes)

Literary Quality:
2.75/5 (4 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Mystery, Humorous,
Motif
Topic	Computers/Cryptography,
Medium	Short Stories,

Home All New Browse Search About

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)