The beautiful connections between mathematics and literature | Sarah Hart | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool

Key Concepts

• Mathematics and Literature: Interconnectedness, not a binary opposition.
• Pattern and Structure: Foundational elements in both mathematics and literature.
• Poetry: Mathematical structure in forms like haiku and sonnets.
• Constraints: Inspiring creativity in both mathematics and literature.
• Exploiting Structure: Using mathematical possibilities of pattern in literature (e.g., Raymond Queneau's "Cent Mille Milliards de Poèmes").
• Literature as Geometry: Hierarchy of elements (letters to volumes) mirroring geometric dimensions.
• Randomness and Structure: Authors using structure to reflect randomness (e.g., B.S. Johnson's "The Unfortunates").
• Symbolic Numbers: Recurring numbers in stories (e.g., 3, 7, 12, 40) with symbolic resonance.
• Irrational Numbers: Connection to themes of uncertainty and incompleteness (e.g., Pi in "Life of Pi").
• Mathematical Ideas in Literature: Authors incorporating mathematical concepts into their works (e.g., Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, George Eliot, Melville).

Poetry and Mathematical Structure

The speaker argues that mathematics and literature are deeply connected, challenging the notion that they are separate disciplines. Mathematics is described as the language of the universe due to its ability to describe pattern, structure, and symmetry. These elements are also present in human creative expression, particularly in literature. Poetry is highlighted as a prime example, with its inherent structural forms.

• Haiku: A poetic form with a precise numerical constraint of 17 syllables.
• Sonnet: A 14-line poem with a defined rhyme scheme.
• Constraint as Inspiration: The speaker emphasizes that these constraints do not limit creativity but rather inspire it, similar to how rules in Euclidean geometry allow for the proof of Pythagoras's theorem.

Exploiting Structure: Raymond Queneau's "Cent Mille Milliards de Poèmes"

Raymond Queneau's work is presented as a key example of exploiting mathematical possibilities in literature.

• Concept: The book contains 10 sonnets where each line rhymes with the corresponding line in every other sonnet.
• Mathematical Possibility: This allows for the creation of 10^14 (100 trillion) different poems by combining any of the first lines with any of the second lines, and so on.
• Questions of Authorship: The speaker raises questions about whether Queneau can be said to have written all 100 trillion poems, especially since it would take over 190 million years to read them all. The speaker also questions who the author is if a reader or a machine assembles the poem.

Literature as Geometry: B.S. Johnson's "The Unfortunates"

The speaker draws a parallel between the structure of literature and geometry.

• Hierarchy: Just as points make up lines, lines make up planes, and so on in geometry, letters make up words, words make sentences, sentences make paragraphs, paragraphs make chapters, and chapters make volumes in literature.
• Authorial Choice: Authors make choices about which structure to use to achieve a specific effect.
• B.S. Johnson's "The Unfortunates": This novel consists of a first and last chapter, with 25 unbound chapters in between that can be read in any order.
• Randomness: The number of possible reading orders is approximately 15.5 septillion.
• Enactment of Randomness: Johnson aimed to reflect the random way past and present interact in our minds. The speaker emphasizes that no two people can experience the book in the same way.

Structure Enhancing Theme: Eleanor Catton's "The Luminaries"

The speaker argues that structure is most compelling when it enhances the theme of the work.

• "The Luminaries": A novel with themes of chance, fate, free will, and destiny.
• Astrological Symbolism: 12 key characters are associated with the signs of the zodiac, and the "luminaries" (sun and moon) represent lovers.
• Mathematical Pattern: The book is divided into 12 sections, with each chapter half the length of the previous one, creating a spiral effect.
• Formula for Book Length: The total length of the book can be calculated by multiplying the length of the last chapter by 2^12 - 1.
• Stolen Gold: The value of the stolen gold in the book is 4,096, which is 2^12, reinforcing the importance of this number to the book's structure.

Symbolic Numbers in Narrative

The speaker discusses the significance of numbers in storytelling.

• Recurring Numbers: Numbers like 3, 7, 12, and 40 appear frequently in fairy tales and folktales.
• The Number Three: Particularly important for narrative structure.
• Example: Three brothers on a quest. The first two fail, setting up an expectation. The third brother's success subverts this expectation, adding a new dimension of interest to the story.
• Mathematical Reason: Three is the smallest number of times you can repeat something to set up and then subvert an expectation.

Pi in "Life of Pi"

The speaker explores the use of the number pi in Yann Martel's "Life of Pi."

• Pi Patel: The protagonist's name is a reference to the mathematical constant.
• Irrational Number: Pi is an irrational number, meaning its decimal form goes on forever and it cannot be written as a fraction of whole numbers.
• Thematic Connection: The book questions whether Pi (the boy) is irrational, reflecting the dreamlike and uncertain quality of his story.
• Duration at Sea: Pi is stranded at sea for 227 days.
• Approximation of Pi: 22/7 is a close approximation of pi, providing a "rational pi" to end the story.

Historical Context and Conclusion

The speaker notes that many classic authors have incorporated mathematical ideas into their works.

• Examples: Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, George Eliot, Melville.
• Historical Perspective: Mathematics was historically considered part of a well-rounded cultural education.
• Omar Khayyam: A poet and mathematician.
• James A. Garfield: A U.S. president who found a new proof of Pythagoras's theorem.
• George Eliot: Found solace in mathematics during times of stress.

The speaker concludes that both literature and mathematics are part of humanity's search for beauty, meaning, and truth, and that understanding the connections between them can enhance our enjoyment of both.