Still looking for a way to celebrate Mathematics Awareness Month? Join Ira and his guests in this hour of Science Friday for some fun with numbers. We'll take a look at how math is turning up in shows like "The Simpsons," "Futurama," and "Numb3rs."

Appearances of and references to mathematics in popular culture have been used creatively and effectively in mathematics courses to reduce math anxiety and motivate students.With math sneaking in to primetime television, can we learn to love fractions and geometry, even calculus? We'll also talk about the clash of cultures between mathematicians and TV writers behind-the-scenes.

Plus, finding your inner mathematician. We'll talk with writer Keith Devlin about the natural instinct people -- and animals -- may have for math. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Keith Devlin
Author, "The Math Instinct: Why You're a Mathematical Genius (Along with Lobsters, Birds, Cats, and Dogs)" (Thunder's Mouth Press, 2005)
Director, Center for the Study of Language and Information
Consulting Professor
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Robert Osserman
Professor Emeritus at Stanford
Special Projects Director at Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
Berkeley, California

Sarah Greenwald
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Gary Lorden
Math Technical Consultant for the television show 'Numb3rs'
Professor of Mathematics
Executive Officer of Mathematics
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California

Books/Articles Discussed:

"The Math Instinct: Why You're a Mathematical Genius (Along with Lobsters, Birds, Cats, and Dogs)" by Keith Devlin. Thunder's Mouth Press, 2005.

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This segment produced by Corey Binns and Annette Heist