Wizards, knights, and unsolved equations
USD mathematics and computer science professor unites mathematics and storytelling
Dominic Urquidez / Asst. Feature Editor / The USD Vista
Photo courtesy of the University of San Diego
Mathematician and author, Satyan Devadoss, Ph.D., combined the stories of Camelot and Merlin with sixteen unsolved equations in a book titled “Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries.” He has been teaching for 25 years and joined the USD faculty as a professor of applied mathematics and computer science in 2016. His book focuses on the exciting and puzzling world of unanswered equations.
Devadoss wanted to spread his love of the field to everyone who picks up the book. The text is written for three types of people: for those who struggle with math, for those who love it, and for everyone who wants to challenge their mind. It is aimed to inspire readers to learn more about the complex yet fascinating field of arithmetic.
“I just want them to think, just like every other cool field that is out there, that math is also cool,” he explained. “I want them to think that there are a lot of cool things people don’t know.”
By combining the talents of storytelling with the abilities to explain unsolved questions, the book travels across the fantasy tale of Camelot. Merlin, a wizard, is tasked with solving problems presented by King Arthur. Devadoss wanted to imagine a world of extravagance, strangeness, and knowledge.
“Well Merlin can solve a whole bunch of these things because … he’s amazing, he’s cool, but there’s a handful of things he just can’t solve,” Devadoss voiced. “So he keeps a journal of a bunch of problems he can’t solve and this book is that journal.”
In Devadoss’s book, he includes a strong female presence to honor the first and only female recipient of the Fields Award in Mathematics, Maryam Mirzakhani. He recognizes that many girls and women are discouraged from the field. For this reason, the main character is named Maryam whose grandmother gives her Merlin’s original journal. She then discovers that she is a descendant of the wizard. All 16 puzzles are introduced by Maryam, then it dives into Merlin’s journal, and finishes with Maryam explaining what people are doing today to solve the mysteries.
Though the puzzles are unresolved, that does not deter Devadoss from wanting people to attempt the material. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are all that is needed for this book. The activities are interactive and focus on making the audience excited about the field of mathematics. They range from cutting a pie into pieces, covering a square, rearranging boats, and much more to entertain readers.
There are hundreds and thousands of unanswered mathematical questions. Devadoss explained that for every new finding published, that paper will result in many more questions. He wanted to work on a project that allowed for some of those equations to be explored by everyday people, not just experts.
“How do you take someone who you are sitting next to on the subway, taking a Lyft ride with, and bring them to the edge of knowledge without having them get a Ph.D.?” Devadoss asked.
Devadoss hopes everyone who wants to challenge their mind, look away from the computer, or find a new interest will read “Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries.” There are only physical copies of his work as he wanted people to take a break from the screen and physically interact with the puzzles. The magical world of wizards, kings, and unanswered equations can be found both in bookstores and online.
