MathFiction: Mangum, P.I. (Colin Adams)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Mangum, P.I. (2004)

Colin Adams
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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A parody of the hard-boiled private detective genre in which ``P.I.'' stands for ``Principal Investigator'', a phrase familiar to anyone who has applied for a research grant. In this hilarious story, a math postdoc is conned by a famous researcher into helping him with his research, but cleverly gets his revenge in the end.

Originally appeared in Mathematical Intelligencer, Vol. 26, No. 4, 22-24 (2004) and then reprinted in the collection Riot at the Calc Exam....

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Works Similar to Mangum, P.I.

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

A Killer Theorem by Colin Adams
Cardano and the Case of the Cubic by Jeff Adams
The Fractal Murders by Mark Cohen
Monster by Alex Kasman
Journey to the Center of Mathematics by Colin Adams
After Math by Miriam Webster
The Visiting Professor by Robert Littell
Into Thin Air by Colin Adams
Riot at the Calc Exam and Other Mathematically Bent Stories by Colin Adams
Rumpled Stiltskin by Colin Adams

Ratings for Mangum, P.I.:

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:
5/5 (1 votes)

Literary Quality:
5/5 (1 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Mystery, Humorous,
Motif	Academia, Proving Theorems,
Topic
Medium	Short Stories,

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