Mathematics in Popular Culture

<p> Mathematics has maintained a surprising presence in popular media for over a century. In recent years the movies <I>Good Will Hunting A Beautiful Mind</I> and <I>Stand and Deliver</I> the stage plays <I>Breaking the Code</I> and <I>Proof</I> the novella <I>Flatland</I> and the hugely successful television crime series <I>NUMB3RS</I> all weave mathematics prominently into their storylines. Less obvious but pivotal references to the subject appear in the blockbuster TV show <I>Lost</I> the cult movie <I>The Princess Bride</I> and even Tolstoy's <I>War and Peace</I>.</p><p> In this collection of new essays contributors consider the role of math in everything from films baseball crossword puzzles fantasy role-playing games and television shows to science fiction tales award-winning plays and classic works of literature. Revealing the broad range of intersections between mathematics and mainstream culture this collection demonstrates that even mass entertainment can have a hidden depth.</p>