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I was surprised to learn that U.S. President Garfield devised a proof of Pythagoras' theorem. It got me wondering what other U.S. Presidents had an aptitude for
by maroonblazer 3y ago
I was surprised to learn that U.S. President Garfield devised a proof of Pythagoras' theorem. It got me wondering what other U.S. Presidents had an aptitude for math.
Jefferson (3rd President) was quite fluent in geometry and surveying, designing his home in Monticello.
Herbert Hoover (31st) was a mining engineer.
Jimmy Carter (39th) was a nuclear engineer by training, having worked in the U.S. Navy's nuclear sub program.
- gen220 3y agoGeorge Washington was also a surveyor before his later career(s). It was a well-trodden path to wealth and status for people of middling backgrounds and aptitudes for math and law in the pre-revolutionary U.S.
- kridsdale3 3y agoJust as Software Engineering is today.
- macintux 3y agoObligatory link for those unfamiliar with the story: Jimmy Carter averted a full-scale nuclear meltdown in Canada at great personal risk. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jimmy-carter-nuclear-meltdown/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jimmy-carter-nuclear-meltd...
- kridsdale3 3y agoAnd clearly that dose of radiation, in mid-1950's comic book fashion, imbued his cells with unnatural longevity!
- kridsdale3 3y agoJefferson also apparently published theorems on ideal geometric layouts of human settlement, which Salt Lake City is based on.