Futurama Writer Created and Proved a Mathematical Theorem Just for One Episode

By John Farrier in Science & Tech on Aug 20, 2010 at 2:31 pm

I haven’t seen it yet, but apparently last night’s episode of Futurama required a mathematical formula to explain a plot element. Producer David X. Cohen is noted for leaving real mathematical statements on screen during the show and had a staff mathematician compose an original theorem for that episode:

In an APS News exclusive, Cohen reveals for the first time that in the 10th episode of the upcoming season, tentatively entitled “The Prisoner of Benda,” a theorem based on group theory was specifically written (and proven!) by staffer/PhD mathematician Ken Keeler to explain a plot twist. Cohen can’t help but chuckle at the irony: his television-writing rule is that entertainment trumps science, but in this special case, a mathematical theorem was penned for the sake of entertainment.

Link via Geekosystem | Image: Fox


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  1. splam
    Aug 20th, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    I predict this is the first and last time a mathematical theorem will involve Dr. Zoidberg and Professor Farnsworth in a post-coital embrace.

  2. emmakate
    Aug 20th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    I knew it was genius! I wanted to watch it online and study it; that was an awesome episode

  3. conanismyidol
    Aug 20th, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    I love Futurama! :-)

  4. smallerdemon
    Aug 20th, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    I broke into uncontrollable laughter as the last scene hit the screen of the various swaps because I knew, KNEW that it was going to be mathematically correct if you stopped it and figured it out because I have watched all of the Futurama DVDs and their commentary so much. That fact that basically he proved a set theory theorem to write an episode of Futurama just makes Futurama probably the single nerdiest television show in history… thus far. :)

  5. Manticore
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 12:01 am

    Good news everyone!

  6. Nimrod
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 4:21 am

    “What happens in Cygnus X-1, stays in Cygnus X-1″

    Best joke ever

  7. Adam Torg
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 7:35 am

    I just love futurama

  8. dermotmoconnor
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 9:02 am

    The new shows, after the years-long hiatus, are the funniest yet. It seems that the writers are going nuts, and not holding back.

    “The Late Philip J. Fry” episode was one of the funniest 20 minutes of TV in a long time. Not just funny as hell, but moving also – without giving anything away …. anyone who hasn’t seen the episode should do so!

  9. Xepla
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    “we may have to use………..
    MATH!” Dum da dummmmm

  10. brynthian
    Aug 21st, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    when they first posed the brain swap problem, I started trying to work it out on paper. Wouldn’t work with 1 added person but could with two (4 total). Totally felt like they were playing up that proof in the episode and announced the solution at the end.

    Most awesome.

  11. April
    Aug 22nd, 2010 at 11:32 am

    I could tell some sort of math proof was taking place, but it went way over my head. It was just fun to hear the different voices out of the crew’s mouths. Bender as a girl, smoking a cigar and gawking at a lady robot, ha.

    Very confusing, but entertaining, episode. My favorite episode remains the Late Philip J Fry.


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