“Numb3rs” is the definition of a tough sell.

The new crime drama, debuting at 10 p.m. Sunday (or whenever the Patriots game ends), is built on mathematics.

Hmmm, will viewers who can’t figure out how to program their VCRs embrace quadratic equations? I’d say it’s long odds.

Still, it’s an intriguing premise. “Numb3rs,” which moves to its regular 10 p.m. Friday timeslot Jan. 28, is about two brothers.

The older sibling is FBI agent Don Eppes, played by Rob Morrow (“Northern Exposure”), another actor who decided that having a network TV job isn’t that onerous after all. The other is genius math professor Charlie Eppes, played by David Krumholtz (“Ray”).

In the opener, Charlie uses his math whiz abilities to help his brother pinpoint the area in which a serial rapist lives. How the show’s producers, which include movie-making brothers Tony and Ridley Scott, continue to solve the problem of making police work and math dovetail will go a long way to determining whether “Numb3rs” adds up or not.

The show is blessed with a strong cast, including Judd Hirsch (“Taxi”) as the father glad to see his sons interacting, Sabrina Lloyd (“Sportsnight”) as Don’s supportive partner and Peter MacNicol (“Ally McBeal”) in another of the weird-little-men roles he plays so well.

“Numb3rs” hopes to do for mathematics what “CSI” has done for science.

As math-challenged as many Americans are, that seems dubious, but who could have predicted that crime-scene detritus would lead to a TV franchise?

Dale McGarrigle can be reached at 990-8028 and dmcgarrigle@bangordailynews.net.