- Unknown equation purportedly used to predict the end of the world, and referenced on the blast door map, where a zone on the island is marked as being of "low relevance to Valenzetti-related research activity"
- Theorem proposed by the reclusive Princeton University mathematician Enzo Valenzetti.
- Title of a book written by Gary Troup, author of Bad Twin, who died on Oceanic Flight 815.
- This book is listed by Hyperion Publishing as being "Out of Print"
Publisher's Summary
What if a mathematical equation could predict the apocalypse? Using recently-declassified material and hundreds of hours of interviews with former employees of the United Nations and prominent members of the defense and academic establishment, best-selling author Gary Troup turns his finely honed sense of mystery toward one of the most vexing mathematical riddles of our time.
Book Talk Interview
On 16 Sept 2004, Gary Troup was interviewed by Laird Granger about Bad Twin on Book Talk show #1523. Three of nine parts of the interview have appeared on various booksites.
Part 3 was found on the Amazon Bad Twin page.[1] The clip was accompanied by the following statement:
"Amazon.com Exclusive: Author Gary Troup delivered the manuscript for his hotly anticipated thriller, Bad Twin, just days before he boarded doomed Oceanic Flight 815. Watch the recently uncovered video clip of Gary Troup on Book Talk interviewed by Laird Granger talking about the controversy surrounding his mysteriously out-of-print first book, The Valenzetti Equation, and his new novel, Bad Twin."
In this part of the interview Alvar Hanso, The Hanso Foundation and The Valenzetti Equation are raised:
Laird Granger: Your book mentions a lot of real life people, places and institutions. Gary Troup: Yeah, I try to incorporate real-life stuff into my fiction, um, just gives it a lot more... veracity. Laird Granger: Like Alvar Hanso, and the Hanso Foundation? Gary Troup: (looks uncomfortable)... right... Laird Granger: Did including them have anything to do with your non-fiction writing? Gary Troup: Absolutely. I wrote a non-fiction book called The Valenzetti Equation Laird Granger: (interrupting) about the reclusive Princeton University mathematician Enzo Valenzetti and his famous theorem... Gary Troup: Yes Laird Granger: At least that's what they say it's about. (shaking head) I have to confess I can't find a copy. Gary Troup: (nods) Yeah, I know. I mean, first of all it was a small printing, and allegedly, now... *CLIP ENDS*
Opening title of Book Talk show #1523, clip 3 of 9.
Theories
- Alvar Hanso or other members of the Hanso Foundation may have been interviewed by Troup as part of his research on the equation. It may be possible that he knew about the island and its purpose prior to his death.