The Quirky Quandaries of Academic Humor in Mathematics
Academic literature, especially within fields like mathematics, often carries a unique flavor of humor and playful engagement. Some books, like those by Donald Knuth, Ronald Graham, and Oren Patashnik, set a precedent for academic wit that has left many readers perplexed yet amused.
A Tricky Example from Concrete Mathematics
Concrete Mathematics by Donald Knuth, Ronald Graham, and Oren Patashnik is famous for its intricate problems and its mischievous approach to mathematical exposition. In the book, the authors present a theorem about the number of digits in a number expressed in a certain base, stating flippantly, "The proof is left as an exercise to the reader.”
This notorious statement can be quite misleading, as the proof requires a deep understanding of logarithms and can be quite complex. The challenge this poses highlights not only the complexity of the problem but also the playful tone of the book. Readers often double-take at the seemingly simple command to “prove it,” only to discover the depth hidden behind the statement.
Knuth’s Mathematical Puzzles
Knuth is known for his penchant for leaving complex proofs as exercises, often leading to exasperation among readers. In his works, one finds that proofs of almost everything are marked with instructions like “see exercise 5.6.3.” And, typically, this exercise is nothing short of the theorem itself. This peculiar structure is both challenging and humorous, as it demands significant effort to solve a problem that was just stated in the previous paragraph.
Terence Tao’s Mathematical Humor
Terence Tao is another scholar who employs this style of humor. In his works, the proof of almost every single theorem is marked as “see exercise 5.6.3,” and the exercise itself is the statement of the theorem. This structured self-reference adds a layer of absurdity and amusement to his teachings.
Anecdotes from the Academic Frontline
Academic anecdotes often highlight the peculiar and sometimes hilarious aspects of academia. One such story involves the mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch, who recounted his frustration with the statement "Thus it plainly appears" in Laplace’s works. Boroditch famously expressed, “ whenever I met in Laplace the words ‘Thus it plainly appears’ I am sure that hours and perhaps days of hard study alone will enable me to discover how it plainly appears.”
Another memorable incident happened at the University of Virginia in the late 1960s. The professor assigned a problem to compute the electric field for a charged geometrical object, which the students found challenging. Despite efforts and collaboration, no solution was found in time, and the professor humorously stated, “I knew it! I told those theory guys that the problem was unsolvable” as he moved on to the next topic, leaving the class in stunned silence.
These examples indicate a playful yet challenging approach to mathematical exposition. The authors often leave complex proofs as exercises, challenging readers to engage deeply and think critically, creating a unique academic humor that is both challenging and entertaining.