Numb3rs and Wolfram Research

Ed Pegg Jr

Wolfram Research, Inc.

RT #431362: New CBS Television Show!  (Dec 09, 2004)

Dear Editors,

Attached please find a press release on our new dramatic series NUMB3RS, starring Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure") and David Krumholtz ("Ray") about a mathematical genius who helps the FBI solve challenging crimes.

Sent out to over 200 math departments, websites, mathematicians, and organizations.

Only one group replied -- Wolfram Research

Let's talk at JMM -- Enter Andy Black

Interest shown in show.  DVD requested

DVD shown around at Wolfram

Wolfram Research material sent by Ben Wilson

MAA column written supporting the show

Historical Email (3 Jan 2005)

Hey Ed, 

Andy Black here, the new researcher at Numb3rs. I got your email
address from Karin Failla at CBS - she says you've been
incredibly helpful and suggested you might be interested in more
direct contact with the writers. I'm the man that can make that
happen.

Listen, I'd love to hear your input on the scripts, especially
before they start shooting. Once they shoot and head into post
production, it's almost impossible to change anything. Is this
something you'd be interested in?

Another question -- I'm heading to the Joint Mathematics
Conference in Atlanta later this week. Karin said you might have
suggestions on who I should touch base with. Would it be okay to
call you tomorrow and talk to you more about that? Let me know.

Hope you had a great new years. I'll be in touch.

Over and out,
Andy Black

At Joint Math Meeting, Eric and Michael talk to Science Coordinator for show, Andy Black

(clip) Andy Black introduces himself

Numb3rs numbers -- Consistent top 20.  Top Friday show.

7. Lost, ABC, 16.4 million viewers.
8. Survivor: Panama-Exile Island, CBS, 16.4 million viewers.
9. NCIS, CBS, 15.5 million viewers.
10. The Unit, CBS, 15.4 million viewers.
11. Law & Order: SVU, NBC, 15.4 million viewers.
12. Without a Trace, CBS, 15.2 million viewers.
13. 60 Minutes, CBS, 14.2 million viewers.
14. Unan1mous, Fox, 14 million viewers.
15. Deal or No Deal (Wednesday)," NBC, 14 million viewers.
16. Numb3rs, CBS, 13.7 million viewers.

What does WRI do for Numb3rs?

Correct errors, especially math errors

Improve the mathematics

Catch inconsistencies

Answer questions

Make suggestions

Error correction example -- Scattering

(clip) Pepper and Soap

(clip) Pepper and Soap commentary

Script suggestions

The Scrabble Game

Unfortunately, they forgot to secure rights to use Scrabble.  They had to wing it (clip)

The Scrabble Game -- the second zinger

Barry's Phase (clip)

Carl Sagan Science Award

NUMB3RS Wins Carl Sagan Science Award

Posted by Jean Buck on May 11,2006

The NUMB3RS TV series -- for which Wolfram Research's Ed Pegg, Michael Trott, and Eric Weisstein are math and science advisors -- has won the 2006 Carl Sagan Award for the Public Understanding of Science. Presented to the show's co-creators and executive producers by the Council of Scientific Society Presidents, the award recognizes dedicated support of U.S. science, including science and mathematics education, free scientific communication, and basic research. Many NUMB3RS episodes contain references to Wolfram products and related materials.The show airs Fridays on CBS at 9 p.m. U.S. Central. Congratulations to NUMB3RS and to our advisor team!

Mathematica safer than chalkboards

Show clip

Chalkboards are dangerous!  Use Mathematica!

Sample problem - Keyfob in Bettor or Worse

Clip from show - Bettor or Worse

23e2c4398e955abb ba62852a28800a06
23e9a20a4cb733d0 fa4a83f202a08a04
23f07fdb0ad90ce5 3aa10a2a30a042a3
23f75dabc8fae5fa 3a82aaa1ae902210
23fe3b7c871cbf0f baa6a60ac0029a0a
2405194d453e9824 c11fc0c2ff24a3c1

With[{start=IntegerDigits[2583912149075329446+1932738473089301 n,4,32]},Table[BaseForm[
FromDigits[Flatten[{start,PadLeft[Last[CellularAutomaton[{600116,{4,1}},start,1]],32]}],4],16],{n,1,6}]]//ColumnForm

Bettor or Worse - Cellular Automaton 600116

ArrayPlot[CellularAutomaton[{600116,{4,1}},Table[Random[Integer,{0,3}],{600}],400],PixelConstrained-> True,Frame-> False,ImageSize-> 700]

Mathematica Products -- Ben Wilson

Ben Wilson has been the point person for getting products into the show

Books, shirts, and 3D objects have all gotten screen time.

If you have an object good for TV, talk to Ben

For example .....

Clip -- Running Man

Noisy Edge

Structural Corruption - Zeta Poster

Running Man - Benford's Law

In Plain Sight

Bones of Contention

Season 3 and beyond

Role of Wolfram Research even greater -- partially replacing Gary Lorden

Mathematica soon to be in use by the Numb3rs Special effects team

Weekly exposure to an audience of 15 million in United States

Numb3rs becoming a hit worldwide

Numerous journal articles mention the show, and several go on to mention the positive role Wolfram Research has played.

Ed, Eric, Michael, and Amy will continue to work on the scripts.

Thanks for listening

Cheryl Heuton and Andy Black are available for questions!