What is the Funniest Number? An investigation of numerical humor

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Pottebaum, E. G.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Pottebaum, E. G.
author_facet Pottebaum, E. G.
contents In a preliminary study of numerical humor, we propose the Perceived Specificity Hypothesis (PSH). The PSH states that, for nonnegative integers < 100, the funniness of a number increases with its apparent precision. A survey of 68 individuals supports the veracity of this hypothesis and indicates that oddly specific numbers tend to be funniest. Our results motivate future study in this novel subfield.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_24175
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle What is the Funniest Number? An investigation of numerical humor
Pottebaum, E. G.
Number Theory
History and Overview
In a preliminary study of numerical humor, we propose the Perceived Specificity Hypothesis (PSH). The PSH states that, for nonnegative integers < 100, the funniness of a number increases with its apparent precision. A survey of 68 individuals supports the veracity of this hypothesis and indicates that oddly specific numbers tend to be funniest. Our results motivate future study in this novel subfield.
title What is the Funniest Number? An investigation of numerical humor
topic Number Theory
History and Overview
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.24175