Formulaic Magic: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
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Modern science loves explaining complex physical phenomena through comparatively simple-looking mathematical abstractions. Motion of an object? ''F'' = ''ma''. Energy content of a mass? ''E'' = ''mc''<sup>2</sup>. State of a gas? ''pV'' = ''nRT''. Exceptions to these rules are themselves often explainable through math -- more intimidating calculations, of course, but still math. These equations are only useful, however, because they accurately describe physical interactions in nature; without this connection, they're just meaningless jumbles of symbols.
Modern science loves explaining complex physical phenomena through comparatively simple-looking mathematical abstractions. Motion of an object? ''F'' = ''ma''. Energy content of a mass? ''E'' = ''mc''<sup>2</sup>. State of a gas? ''pV'' = ''nRT''. Exceptions to these rules are themselves often explainable through math—more intimidating calculations, of course, but still math. These equations are only useful, however, because they accurately describe physical interactions in nature; without this connection, they're just meaningless jumbles of symbols.


Authors often neglect to establish this link between math and reality, instead treating equations as if they possess a power all on their own. This often manifests in two ways:
Authors often neglect to establish this link between math and reality, instead treating equations as if they possess a power all on their own. This often manifests in two ways:


* '''Reduction of math to a magical artifact:''' The simple knowledge of an equation is powerful in itself. [[Powers as Programs|Committing a mathematical expression to memory might unlock superpowers, for instance.]]
* '''Reduction of math to a magical artifact:''' The simple knowledge of an equation is powerful in itself. [[Powers as Programs|Committing a mathematical expression to memory might unlock superpowers, for instance.]]
* '''Giving math a will of its own:''' The mere presence of some mathematical statement on paper or in someone's mind has some effect on its surroundings -- discoverers [[Go Mad From the Revelation|immediately go insane]], or logical reasoning ceases to work in its presence.
* '''Giving math a will of its own:''' The mere presence of some mathematical statement on paper or in someone's mind has some effect on its surroundings—discoverers [[Go Mad From the Revelation|immediately go insane]], or logical reasoning ceases to work in its presence.


Such "magical math" (or "mathemagic" or "[[Whatevermancy|Mathamancy]]") doesn't have to be connected to any aspect of reality, so it will [[E=MC Hammer|often be rather nonsensical]] as a result. In this way, such math is somewhat related to the [[Numerological Motif]], in which numbers get intrinsic properties.
Such "magical math" (or "mathemagic" or "[[Whatevermancy|Mathamancy]]") doesn't have to be connected to any aspect of reality, so it will [[E=MC Hammer|often be rather nonsensical]] as a result. In this way, such math is somewhat related to the [[Numerological Motif]], in which numbers get intrinsic properties.
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* It's [http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mahou_shoujo_lyrical_nanoha_a_s/v01/c004/7.html revealed] in the [[All There in the Manual|supplementary]] [[Comic Book Adaptation|manga]] of ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' that constructing the [[Instant Runes]] needed for magic in that setting requires a very good grasp of math. In fact, one of the reasons why Nanoha and Fate are such powerful mages is because they're both [[Teen Genius|math geniuses]].
* It's [http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mahou_shoujo_lyrical_nanoha_a_s/v01/c004/7.html revealed] in the [[All There in the Manual|supplementary]] [[Comic Book Adaptation|manga]] of ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' that constructing the [[Instant Runes]] needed for magic in that setting requires a very good grasp of math. In fact, one of the reasons why Nanoha and Fate are such powerful mages is because they're both [[Teen Genius|math geniuses]].
* The [[Reality Warper|reality warping]] abilities of human interfaces in ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi]]'' seem to work like this.
* The [[Reality Warper|reality warping]] abilities of human interfaces in ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi]]'' seem to work like this.
* Grimoires and parchments in ''[[To Aru Majutsu no Index]]'' seem to contain complex formulas which need to be deciphered in order for it to work -- kind of like math books, except those don't attempt to destroy their user.
* Grimoires and parchments in ''[[To Aru Majutsu no Index]]'' seem to contain complex formulas which need to be deciphered in order for it to work—kind of like math books, except those don't attempt to destroy their user.




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* Multiple times in [[The DCU]]:
* Multiple times in [[The DCU]]:
** The [[Brown Note|Anti-Life Equation]] is usable as a method of [[Mass Hypnosis]]. It runs {{spoiler|1='''Loneliness + Alienation + Fear + Despair + Self-worth ÷ Mockery ÷ Condemnation ÷ Misunderstanding x Guilt x Shame x Failure x Judgment, n=y where y=Hope and n=Folly, Love=Lies, Life=Death, Self=''''''<big>[[Darkseid]]</big>'''}}.
** The [[Brown Note|Anti-Life Equation]] is usable as a method of [[Mass Hypnosis]]. It runs {{spoiler|1='''Loneliness + Alienation + Fear + Despair + Self-worth ÷ Mockery ÷ Condemnation ÷ Misunderstanding x Guilt x Shame x Failure x Judgment, n=y where y=Hope and n=Folly, Love=Lies, Life=Death, Self=''''''<big>[[Darkseid]]</big>'''}}.
** The [[Pre Crisis]] DCU [[Round Robin]] maxiseries ''DC Challenge'' had a series of numbers in the first issue (written by [[Mark Evanier]]) that were somehow important -- but none of the other writers could ever really figure out how. Several of them later used the numbers in formulas for this, that, and the other. The secret? {{spoiler|Add them up on a calculator and turn the calculator upside down; it spelled out the name "ELI ELLIS."}}
** The [[Pre Crisis]] DCU [[Round Robin]] maxiseries ''DC Challenge'' had a series of numbers in the first issue (written by [[Mark Evanier]]) that were somehow important—but none of the other writers could ever really figure out how. Several of them later used the numbers in formulas for this, that, and the other. The secret? {{spoiler|Add them up on a calculator and turn the calculator upside down; it spelled out the name "ELI ELLIS."}}
** [[The Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] superhero Johnny Quick accessed his superspeed powers by reciting the mathematical formula "3X2(9YZ)4A". More recent materials have [[Retcon|retconned]] this as a mantra that allows him to tap into the mystical Speed Force.
** [[The Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] superhero Johnny Quick accessed his superspeed powers by reciting the mathematical formula "3X2(9YZ)4A". More recent materials have [[retcon]]ned this as a mantra that allows him to tap into the mystical Speed Force.
** One member of the [[Green Lantern]] Corps is a sentient mathematical equation, and so is [[Green Lantern Ring|his ring]].
** One member of the [[Green Lantern]] Corps is a sentient mathematical equation, and so is [[Green Lantern Ring|his ring]].
* In the [[Marvel Universe]], Amadeus Cho (the seventh-smartest person on the planet) sees the world as mathematical formulas. The [[Incredible Hulk]] does as well, according to Cho (albeit unconsciously), which explains how he somehow doesn't hurt any innocent bystanders while Hulk-smashing.
* In the [[Marvel Universe]], Amadeus Cho (the seventh-smartest person on the planet) sees the world as mathematical formulas. The [[Incredible Hulk]] does as well, according to Cho (albeit unconsciously), which explains how he somehow doesn't hurt any innocent bystanders while Hulk-smashing.
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* Magic in [[H.P. Lovecraft]]'s mythos is often related to mathematics. In ''Dreams in the Witch House'', for instance, the protagonist is a mathematician who discovers an equation that would allow him to travel outside angled space (basically, to create wormholes). If you can understand the true nature of the universe, you can use that knowledge to do things that seem physically impossible to us. Provided you don't first [[Go Mad From the Revelation]] or attract the attention of some [[Eldritch Abomination]], of course.
* Magic in [[H.P. Lovecraft]]'s mythos is often related to mathematics. In ''Dreams in the Witch House'', for instance, the protagonist is a mathematician who discovers an equation that would allow him to travel outside angled space (basically, to create wormholes). If you can understand the true nature of the universe, you can use that knowledge to do things that seem physically impossible to us. Provided you don't first [[Go Mad From the Revelation]] or attract the attention of some [[Eldritch Abomination]], of course.
* Connected to the above, ''[[The Laundry Series]]'' by Charles Stross also shows magic as mathematics, to the point where computers solving certain equations can warp reality as per magical spells. Becomes a bit of a problem when the walls around reality start weakening, to the worst-case scenario of somebody solving equations in their head running the risk of accidentally summoning an [[Eldritch Abomination]].
* Connected to the above, ''[[The Laundry Series]]'' by Charles Stross also shows magic as mathematics, to the point where computers solving certain equations can warp reality as per magical spells. Becomes a bit of a problem when the walls around reality start weakening, to the worst-case scenario of somebody solving equations in their head running the risk of accidentally summoning an [[Eldritch Abomination]].
* Jack L. Chalker's ''Well of Souls'' series: The Great Equation. A couple of supercomputers are capable of [[Reality Warper|warping reality]] retroactively (that is, those who didn't see the change actually happen are incapable of realizing that anything actually changed) by "altering" the Equation, which basically ''is'' reality. By moving a few numbers in the equation, the result -- that is, our reality -- changes to suit.
* Jack L. Chalker's ''Well of Souls'' series: The Great Equation. A couple of supercomputers are capable of [[Reality Warper|warping reality]] retroactively (that is, those who didn't see the change actually happen are incapable of realizing that anything actually changed) by "altering" the Equation, which basically ''is'' reality. By moving a few numbers in the equation, the result—that is, our reality—changes to suit.
* The ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series has an [[Whatevermancy|Arithmancy]] class, whose name would imply divination through arithmetic. (Ironic, because Hermione actively loathes Divination ''itself''.) The reader doesn't get to hear much about the subject, though, beyond the fact that Hermione's studying it (and apparently enjoys it).
* The ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series has an [[Whatevermancy|Arithmancy]] class, whose name would imply divination through arithmetic. (Ironic, because Hermione actively loathes Divination ''itself''.) The reader doesn't get to hear much about the subject, though, beyond the fact that Hermione's studying it (and apparently enjoys it).
** In [[Fanon]], Arithmancy is a common choice for [[Peggy Sue|Intelligent!Harry]] stories. In these stories, its usually presented as discussing (and learning) the rules that govern magic itself. For instance, Arithmancy masters can cast wandlessly easier, because they understand the way the magic flows and can create shortcuts, similar to simplifying a complicated equation. Its usually also implied that math in the magic world is dreadfully behind that of [[Muggles]], with Trig being 'the last lesson before Mastery'. Cue Harry [[Shipping Wars|(and hermione, more often than not)]], [[Mary Sue|learning Calc]].
** In [[Fanon]], Arithmancy is a common choice for [[Peggy Sue|Intelligent!Harry]] stories. In these stories, its usually presented as discussing (and learning) the rules that govern magic itself. For instance, Arithmancy masters can cast wandlessly easier, because they understand the way the magic flows and can create shortcuts, similar to simplifying a complicated equation. Its usually also implied that math in the magic world is dreadfully behind that of [[Muggles]], with Trig being 'the last lesson before Mastery'. Cue Harry [[Shipping Wars|(and hermione, more often than not)]], [[Mary Sue|learning Calc]].
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