Comic:(x, why?)

(x, why?) is a webcomic created by Chris Burke, a writer (co-author of GURPS Autoduel for Steve Jackson Games) and a public school math teacher in New York City. It features math-related cartoons, general classroom humor and occasionally geek-based humor finds its way onto the screen, and that's when it gets really weird. Rather than having an ongoing plot, (x, why?) is comprised of a series of one-shot comics. However, some characters, such as the math teachers and the numbers, reappear on occasion.

History

The comic started as a few images scrawled on a loose leaf notebook. Not all of those have made it into the strip. The images were intended for use in a math class. The math class spawned a blog at blogger.com, which fell into disuse for two reasons: first, blogger.com was blocked for several months by the school, and the local school district started their own blogging website.

In October 2007, the blogger.com site was relaunched as a math site open to everyone, and not limited to Mr. Burke's students. At that point, it became the place for posting jokes that didn't belong on the school website or the district's blog because they didn't fit with the current curriculum or that were just out of left field.

In January 2008, the comic moved to Comic Genesis, where it started its run by reprinting the earlier cartoons that had previously appeared on Mr. Burke's Math Blog, which was still publishing new comics at a slower pace. By the middle of March, the two sites were in sync.

Characters

(x, why?) does have a roster of recurring characters. Some are numbers, shapes or other mathematical symbols. Also, there are a group of math teachers as well as a handful of stick figures, ready for a quick joke when fully-drawn characters would distract from the punchline.

Humans

Most of the human characters that have appeared are teachers at an unnamed school. The grade level isn't disclosed, but the students appear to be of junior high school age. Additionally, the topics that have appeared on the blackboards indicate either junior high or high school level. Many of the characters have not been named, but some of the more frequent characters include:

Michael Keegan teaches math with a certain amount of success, but wishes he could do better. He's a science-fiction fan and borderline geek surround by mostly mundane students and coworkers.

Kenneth Wayne is another math teacher. He tries to be funny even as he tries to make it through the day. He is friends with Keegan, and the two share some common interests.

Triangles

Several of the characters are in the shape of talking triangles and appear in trailers for upcoming movie serials. They include:

Trigonometry Jones is an explorer, adventurer and mathematician who has gone in search of the Lost Compass and the Triangle of Doom (a.k.a. The Temple of Duran). He looks like a talking right triangle with a spiffy adventure hat. His nickname is alternatively Trigger or Triggy.

Karen Sceles is another adventure who has a love/hate relationship with Trigger. Sometimes, she loves to hate him. Other times, she hates to love him.

Allen Scalene is a pilot who accompanies Trigger on adventures although he isn't sure why. Memorable quote: "Gulp!"

Rio, the femme fatale, is an exotic and shimmering shade of blue.

Numbers

The number characters appeared in the very first strip and have made numerous reappearances ever since. These include:

0, Mr. 0, a bombastic and bloviating talk-show host for the F(x) News Network.

1, Ian One, a reporter and co-worker of Henry Four.

2, a talking number 2 who is also a mean chef. Apparently, 2 has ridden the space shuttle.

3, a talking number 3.

4, Henry Four, a photographer and co-worker of Ian One.

6, Six of One, likes to tell jokes and is part of a comedy team with his little brother.

6, Six of Other, likes to tell jokes and is part of a comedy team, despite a brief time after he resigned.

6, Tricia Six, cousin to the two brother sixes.

7, a talking number 7 who has a large appetite.

8, Rudolph, a talking number 8.

9, Nine is avid tennis player and a former client of the Emperor's Racquet Club. Nine's first name is Ernest. Ernest is a Borg. Hence, Ernest Borgnine

10, Kitt Ten, a talking number 10, snail-like in appearance, with antennae.

Sherlock Pi, a Private Investigator (P.I.) who solves mysteries in the United States but has a Qt waiting for him in London.

Historical and Religious Figures

Some historical and religious figures have appeared in the pages of (x, why?). Historical references have been made to Gallileo and William of Occam. Religious figures mentioned include Saint Patrick, who rid Ireland of most of its snakes, and Noah and his sons aboard the ark.

Other Cultural References

Growing up in the 80s left an impression, which explains references such as Indiana Jones and Duran Duran (sometimes at the same time). Growing up before then explains references to Beatles songs and That Girl.

Background

The name (x, why?) has an interesting origin: Mr. Burke participated in a graduate-level teaching class several years back. At one point the students were grouped together according to subject and grade level taught. Mr. Burke was grouped with other junior high and high school math and science teachers. Each group needed a name for itself.

The four teachers comprising Mr. Burke's group were all men, two of whom were math teachers, one a science teacher and one a science/math teacher. They quickly came upon the XY chromosome and (x,y) as concepts about themselves that they shared in common. The universal question "why?", which is the basis for both disciplines, was a quick substitution for the letter "y".

Mr. Burke put that together into one name, and the group was christened "(x, why?)", which in voted the best group name in the class.

Links

• Mr. Burke's Math Blog, which is also called "(x, why?)".