A young math genius sees logic thwarted by one truly baffling equation: love. Teenage math prodigy Nathan struggles when it comes to building relationships with other people, not least with his mother, Julie. In a world difficult to comprehend, he finds comfort in numbers.

And when Nathan is taken under the wing of an unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr. Humphreys, the pair forge an unusual friendship. Eventually, Nathan's talents win him a place on the UK National team at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), and the team travel to a training camp in Taiwan.

In unfamiliar surroundings, Nathan is confronted by a series of unexpected challenges-not least the unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for his Chinese counterpart, the beautiful Zhang Mei.