If Math Wrote Letters
Ten handwritten letters from Math to economics, Congress, students, physics, computer science, standardized tests, poetry, human behavior, an impulse shopper and textbooks.










Use this cartoon
Free for classrooms, worksheets, slides and other non-commercial use under CC BY-NC 4.0, with credit to Ben Orlin.
Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2017-03-22-if-math-wrote-letters/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)Transcript
[1] "Dear Economics, Don't get me wrong; I'm flattered by your affections. But don't you want to… y'know… gather some data? Instead of taking my word for everything? –Math"
[2] "Dear Congress, Hello! I just wanted to introduce myself. I don't believe we've met. –Math"
[3] "Dear Students, Don't be scared of me! I'm just a mysterious governing understructure to the universe, an amoral and powerful force beyond your control! See? Nothing to fear! –Math"
[4] "Dear Physics, Look, some of the things you've done to me are beyond forgiveness. But I know in my heart we belong together. Are you as confused by this love as I am? –Math"
[5] "Dear Computer Science, It's just me, checking in — you know, the silly old discipline that birthed and raised you. Haven't heard from you in a while… But I know you're busy remaking human existence and all. Missing you, Math"
[6] "Dear High-Stakes Standardized Tests, I know you're doing all this in my name and everything, but for the love of all that is Euler's, please stop. You've done enough damage already. –Math"
[7] "Dear Poetry, I'm always pleased when people compare us. But… do you think it's because we're both beautiful? Or both esoteric? Worried, Math"
[8] "Dear Human Behavior, So I guess you're ultimately just biology, which is ultimately just chemistry, which is ultimately just physics, so I should understand you perfectly… but you confuse the living wits out of me. –Math"
[9] "Dear Person Trying to Convince Yourself that an Extravagant Purchase Will 'Pay for Itself,' I'm afraid I have some bad news. –Math"
[10] "Dear Textbooks, When I agreed to be profiled, I was expecting an honest portrait, not a character assassination. You make me seem like a monster! –Math"