Mathematician's Answer: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

{{quote|'''Monty:''' Dad, is there a word to describe answers that are ''completely correct'' but ''entirely useless'' under the circumstances?

'''Prof. Jones:''' Yes, yes there is.

** As mentioned in ''[[Discworld/Hogfather|Hogfather]]'', when questioned about the origins of life, the philosopher Didactylos set forth this theory:

{{quote|Things just happened. What the hell?}}

** The real problem with Mathematician's Answers in Discworld is that they often AREN'T -- they're very accurate statements of the fact that, in a world where symbolism, belief, and narrative causality are literally physical laws of the universe, it is entirely possible for something to be two different and contradictory things simultaneously.

* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'': When Zaphod learns that Marvin is waiting for them in the car park at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe (and has been for several trillion years), he asks what he's doing there. Marvin's answer? Parking cars. What else would he be doing there?

* ''[[MythBusters]]'': When Adam is taken to Jamie's secret location, this exchange:

{{quote|'''Adam:''' Where are we?

* In ''[[The Order of the Stick]]'', the Oracle's first [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0330.html answer] to Roy's question "Where is Xykon?" was "In his throne room." Roy [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0329.html persuaded] him to follow up with a more useful answer.

** A few strips later there is an even purer [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0331.html example] - this time directed at Belkar.