You may be familiar with prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize. For example, winning a Nobel Prize in economics indicates that you’ve significantly influenced your field through impactful research and contributions. However, an even more intriguing measure of distinction exists—the Erdős–Bacon number.
You might not have heard of this number before, so let me briefly explain. You probably know about the fun social game called the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” where actors are connected to Kevin Bacon through a chain of films they’ve appeared in together. Your “Bacon number” indicates how closely you’re connected to Kevin Bacon himself. If you’ve acted directly alongside Kevin Bacon, your Bacon number is 1. If you’ve acted with someone who has acted with Bacon, your number is 2, and so on. Most actors typically have a Bacon number of 7 or fewer.
There’s a similar concept in mathematics known as the “Erdős number,” referring to mathematician Paul Erdős. This measures your academic collaboration distance from Erdős in published mathematical papers. If you’ve co-authored a paper directly with Erdős, your Erdős number is 1. If you’ve co-authored with someone who co-authored with Erdős, your Erdős number is 2, and so forth.
Combining these two numbers gives you the “Erdős–Bacon number,” and having a low Erdős–Bacon number is an exceptionally rare achievement. It signifies that you’ve both published a peer-reviewed scientific paper and appeared in a major motion picture, a rare combination indeed.
Take Richard Thaler, for instance. Currently holding an Erdős–Bacon number of 5, Thaler is not only a distinguished economist with numerous influential publications, but he’s also appeared in major films. His Erdős–Bacon number might arguably be even more prestigious than the Nobel Prize he received in 2017. Check out this clip from the movie the Big Short. Thaler and Selena Gomez talk economics: https://youtu.be/Pxr_FzpPM2Q?si=HTRUySYUPo–6BHa
Exploring Erdős–Bacon numbers is a fun way to discover fascinating facts about well-known figures. For instance, Bill Gates has an Erdős–Bacon number of 4, Stephen Hawking’s is 6, and surprisingly, actor Colin Firth also has a number of 6. Colin Firth’s Erdős–Bacon number is particularly intriguing, given his impressive film career and unexpected contributions in political neuro-science.
Another notable example is mathematician Daniel Kleitman, who boasts a remarkable Erdős–Bacon number. Kleitman, known for advising on mathematical content for the film “Good Will Hunting,” also appeared as an extra in the movie. Through the cast, Kleitman connects directly to Minnie Driver, who starred alongside Kevin Bacon in “Sleepers,” thus giving Kleitman a low Bacon number.
This unique intersection of science and cinema illustrates how creative pursuits and academic excellence can unexpectedly intersect. By following the Erdős–Bacon trail, you uncover captivating stories that bridge the gap between mathematics, science, and popular culture.
