Division by Zero (story)

"Division by Zero" is a science fiction short story by American writer Ted Chiang, initially published in 1991 in Full Spectrum 3 magazine.[2][3] Later the story was republished in the 2002 Ted Chiang collection Stories of Your Life and Others.[4][5]

"Division by Zero"
AuthorTed Chiang
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Science fiction
Published inFull Spectrum 3
Publication typeAnthology
PublisherBantam Spectra
Publication date1 May 1991[1]

Plot

Renee, an intellectually gifted mathematician and professor, inadvertently proves arithmetic inconsistent. The discovery causes her great mental anguish, as she can no longer find mathematics intuitively meaningful. Her husband, Carl, is initially sympathetic but finds himself unable to empathize. The stress of her discovery eventually drives Renee to attempt suicide, which Carl prevents. While Renee recovers in a psychiatric ward, Carl realizes he has fallen out of love with her and resolves to end their relationship. The story ends mid-conversation, wherein a grateful Renee, recently released from the ward, attempts to explain her breakdown to a somber Carl.

See also

References
  1. "Full Spectrum 3 Paperback – May 1, 1991". amazon.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  2. Miéville, China (24 April 2004). "Wonder boy: Stories of Your Life by Ted Chiang". The Guardian. theguardian.com. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. Kasman, Alex. "Division by Zero (1991)". kasmana.people.cofc.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  4. "Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang". Goodreads. goodreads.com. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  5. "LIBRIS - Stories of your life and others". Libris. Retrieved 2016-03-24.


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