Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations
An outrageous graphic novel that investigates key concepts in mathematics

Integers and permutations—two of the most basic mathematical objects—are born of different fields and analyzed with separate techniques. Yet when the Mathematical Sciences Investigation team of crack forensic mathematicians, led by Professor Gauss, begins its autopsies of the victims of two seemingly unrelated homicides, Arnie Integer and Daisy Permutation, they discover the most extraordinary similarities between the structures of each body.

Prime Suspects is a graphic novel that takes you on a voyage of forensic discovery, exploring some of the most fundamental ideas in mathematics. Travel with Detective von Neumann as he leaves no clue unturned, from shepherds’ huts in the Pyrenees to secret societies in the cafés of Paris, from the hidden codes in the music of the stones to the grisly discoveries in Finite Fields. Tremble at the ferocity of the believers in deep and rigid abstraction. Feel the frustration—and the excitement—of our young heroine, Emmy Germain, as she blazes a trail for women in mathematical research and learns from Professor Gauss, the greatest forensic detective of them all.

Beautifully drawn and exquisitely detailed, Prime Suspects is unique, astonishing, and witty—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience mathematics like never before.

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Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations
An outrageous graphic novel that investigates key concepts in mathematics

Integers and permutations—two of the most basic mathematical objects—are born of different fields and analyzed with separate techniques. Yet when the Mathematical Sciences Investigation team of crack forensic mathematicians, led by Professor Gauss, begins its autopsies of the victims of two seemingly unrelated homicides, Arnie Integer and Daisy Permutation, they discover the most extraordinary similarities between the structures of each body.

Prime Suspects is a graphic novel that takes you on a voyage of forensic discovery, exploring some of the most fundamental ideas in mathematics. Travel with Detective von Neumann as he leaves no clue unturned, from shepherds’ huts in the Pyrenees to secret societies in the cafés of Paris, from the hidden codes in the music of the stones to the grisly discoveries in Finite Fields. Tremble at the ferocity of the believers in deep and rigid abstraction. Feel the frustration—and the excitement—of our young heroine, Emmy Germain, as she blazes a trail for women in mathematical research and learns from Professor Gauss, the greatest forensic detective of them all.

Beautifully drawn and exquisitely detailed, Prime Suspects is unique, astonishing, and witty—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience mathematics like never before.

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Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations

Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations

Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations

Prime Suspects: The Anatomy of Integers and Permutations

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Overview

An outrageous graphic novel that investigates key concepts in mathematics

Integers and permutations—two of the most basic mathematical objects—are born of different fields and analyzed with separate techniques. Yet when the Mathematical Sciences Investigation team of crack forensic mathematicians, led by Professor Gauss, begins its autopsies of the victims of two seemingly unrelated homicides, Arnie Integer and Daisy Permutation, they discover the most extraordinary similarities between the structures of each body.

Prime Suspects is a graphic novel that takes you on a voyage of forensic discovery, exploring some of the most fundamental ideas in mathematics. Travel with Detective von Neumann as he leaves no clue unturned, from shepherds’ huts in the Pyrenees to secret societies in the cafés of Paris, from the hidden codes in the music of the stones to the grisly discoveries in Finite Fields. Tremble at the ferocity of the believers in deep and rigid abstraction. Feel the frustration—and the excitement—of our young heroine, Emmy Germain, as she blazes a trail for women in mathematical research and learns from Professor Gauss, the greatest forensic detective of them all.

Beautifully drawn and exquisitely detailed, Prime Suspects is unique, astonishing, and witty—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience mathematics like never before.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691149158
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 08/06/2019
Pages: 232
Product dimensions: 6.62(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Andrew Granville is the Canada Research Chair in Number Theory at the University of Montreal and professor of mathematics at University College London. Jennifer Granville is an educator, award-winning film and theater producer, writer, and director. Robert J. Lewis is a Toronto-based graphic designer and storyboard artist for film and television.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“One of the most creative ways to present advanced mathematical ideas that I have seen.”—Terence Tao, University of California, Los Angeles

"This is a fantastic project and very entertaining format for communicating both deep mathematics and the culture of mathematics—what a breath of fresh air!"—Kristin Lauter, Microsoft Research

"Properties of integers, polynomials, and permutations are shown to be identical in this beautifully illustrated graphic novel murder mystery that is a fun read for the mathematically inclined."—Dorian Goldfeld, Columbia University

"The reader gets hooked on reading more and more about the mystery of primes and permutations. Prime Suspects presents some real mathematics in such a fresh and novel way!"—Kaisa Matomäki, University of Turku, Finland

Prime Suspects is unlike any mathematics book I’ve ever seen. Alongside stunning illustrations and playful cameos, the reader will find a probing discussion of some fascinating (and still largely unexplained) analogies between the distribution and decomposition of integers and permutations.”—Matt Baker, Georgia Institute of Technology

"This super book is a psychedelic whirlwind detective story about prime numbers and permutations, told comic book style. Readers will enjoy avatars of famous mathematicians, relish clever cameos and plugs, and learn deep mathematics. Bravo!"—Ken Ono, Emory University

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