Expert: Susan Rand - 6/28/2011

Question
Dear Susan,

I would like to ask whether you need to be good at mathematics to write a mystery book like Agatha Christie.

I mean, in the classical mystery genre, the main excitement is to follow and decode the clues planted by authors like Christie or Dorothy Sayers. It seems to imply that the author must be very good at reasoning, which means that she or he must be good at mathematics?

Is it true?

Thank you.

Answer
Hello Kevin:

Although an author does not need to know math to write well (unless, of course, they are writing about math), it is beneficial to know reasoning, and math can help with that. Algabraic equations might also help.

There are two types of reasoning: deductive and inductive:

Deductive reasoning works from the general to the specific. It begins with a general theory, moves on to hypothisis, from there to the process of obervation, and ends with a conclusion.

Inductive reasoning works the other way, by beginning with observation(s) of an event, followed by the discerning of a pattern, resulting in a tentative hypothesis, followed by the formulation of a theory. You can learn more about this at http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php

A non-valid argument looks like this:

Some dogs are black.
My dog is black.
Therefore, my dog is some dog!

Many detectives use inductive reasoning in solving crimes. First they gather information, put the facts together, look for a pattern (i.e., this suspect has murdered before therefore he is suspect in this murder. The theory is then formulated: we believe this supect committed this murder.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high scores over 1900+ questions.

And good luck with your writing!

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