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Mathematics Goes to the Movies

by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross

Six Feet Under
Season 1 episode 7

14:30
TEACHER: Multiplying differing variables. So, you have to simplify. Ok, and then finally, ups. Look at that, same variable, ok? Four and four gives us what? Eight! And finally these two binomials right here are exactly the same, so we what? …. Combine! 2 x^2y^4. Ok? Any questions? Clara Fischer?
CLARA FISHER: What?
TEACHER: Can you explain this formula to the class?
CLARA: Not really.
TEACHER: Well, maybe if you paid attention in class instead of reading.
CLARA: Well, maybe if you talked about something that was actually gonna be useful to me I would.
TEACHER: Oh, algebra is useless. I know a lot of physicists who’d beg to differ.
CLARA: Well, I don’t want to be a physicist.
TEACHER: Algebra forces your mind to solve problems logically. It’s one of the only perfect sciences in the world.
CLARA: You think the world runs on logic? Come on open your eyes.
TEACHER: Ok, I’ll see you after class, Ms. Fischer.
Clara stares at teacher and imagines her head exploding.
TEACHER: Now, let’s try another one and I will make this a little tougher.