The Forgotten Night: The Number Devil Explores Spherical Geometry

TL;DR

This paper presents a missing chapter from 'The Number Devil' where the character explores advanced non-Euclidean geometry concepts like great circles, parallel transport, and Euler's insights, blending mathematical education with engaging storytelling.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, narrative-driven exploration of spherical geometry and related concepts, expanding the educational scope of the original book.

Findings

Introduction of non-Euclidean geometry concepts in a story format

Engagement of readers with complex geometric ideas

Connection of geometry to real-world phenomena like Foucault's pendulum

Abstract

This is a missing chapter from Hans Magnus Enzensberger's mathematical adventure The Number Devil (Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1997). In the book, a math-hating boy named Robert is visited in his dreams by the clever Number Devil, who teaches him to love all things numerical. However, we all forget our dreams from time to time. Here is one adventure that Enzensberger overlooked, where the Number Devil introduces Robert to geometry not-of-Euclid, great circles, parallel transport, the pendulum of Foucault, and the genius of Euler.