Mathematical Boys
by Mathematical and mental calculator boy geniuses of the Past.
Mathematical and mental calculator boy geniuses of the Past
An English boy, George Parker Bidder was the son of a Devonshire stone mason. He was born in 1806 and at the age of four, it was discovered he was a mathematical genius.
George Parker Bidder
He was assisted on occasion by his brother and showed incredible abilities for calculation. His father decided that instead of struggling on a farm, he would promote this ability in his young son, and took him around the country, showing off his talent.
Unaided by any tool, the boy answered the most incredible problems set before him and he did so in amazing time.
An example of a problem given for him to solve was:
Question: If a flea springs 2ft 3in each hop, how many hops would it have to do in order to get around the world, if the world circumference is 25,020 miles; and how long would it take, allowing 60 hops every minute without a break?
Answer: 58,713,600 hops and it would take 1 year, 314 days, 13 hours and 20 minutes.
Another question given him was: Consider the ball on top of St Paul’s Cathedral was 6ft in diameter, what did the gilding cost at 31/2pence per square inch?
The answer was,£237, 10 shillings and 1 penny, George Parker Bidder answered this in 40 seconds.
He was eventually educated and became an engineer. He worked alongside Robert Stephenson and took an active part in the construction of the Birmingham railway. He died in 1878.
Zerah Colburn was born in 1804 at Cabot, Vermont in the United States of America.
Zerah Colburn
At a young age he showed his skill as a mathematical genius, by the age of eight he could perform difficult mathematics in his head.
He was asked to give the cube root of 413,993,348,677, the answer he gave within 5 seconds. He was taken to England to be educated but his father was not happy and removed him. He became an actor but did not succeed at that and finally became a tutor in an American University.
Photographs by author.
More articles of interest by the author:
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Post CommentChristine Ramsay
On May 10, 2009 at 9:19 am
An interesting piece, Glynis. As a maths coordinator myself, I have always wished I had that sort of ability. Sadly It takes me quite a while. Good work.
Christine
CHAN LEE PENG
On May 10, 2009 at 9:43 am
I agree to Christine, this piece is interesting. They’re genius. Glad that you’re here with us.
papaleng
On May 10, 2009 at 9:43 am
very interesting article, Glynis.
The Quail
On May 10, 2009 at 9:44 am
Very interesting piece Glynis.
Debra Mann
On May 10, 2009 at 9:45 am
I love writes like this. Very interesting read. Good stuff, Glynis!
C Jordan
On May 10, 2009 at 10:00 am
Interesting stuff. Well “summed” up.
louie jerome
On May 10, 2009 at 10:49 am
Interesting article.
BC Doan
On May 10, 2009 at 11:07 am
I am not strong in Math, and this is a really great article! I’m glad to see something different rather than “World most this and that…”
Glynis Smy
On May 10, 2009 at 11:15 am
Thanks everyone.They caught my attention. I had a number dyslexia and at the age of 15 my maths teacher wondered why I could do it in my head but not on paper, it was a number blindness. He then wrote the words out and added the numbers to it, I went on to qualify as a nurse, thanks to him. So anyone who is this clever at that age is worth reading about as far as I am concerned
nutuba
On May 10, 2009 at 11:20 am
Glynis, this was a fun article to read! I’m always amazed at gifted kids; it’s interesting how the brain works and how different we all are. Thanks for this great article!
clay hurtubise
On May 10, 2009 at 11:23 am
And then there is me! Polar opposites!
Thanks,Clay
R J Evans
On May 10, 2009 at 11:26 am
I was really getting in to this and it stopped!!!!
But then being a nerd boy I like reading about my predecessors!
M J katz
On May 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I agree with RJ that I was ‘into this’ when it just stopped. I even scrolled down a little lower to make sure that there were just two people written about here! Ha ha.
People who can do figures like these in their heads have always fascinated me. I wish I had their abilities but, like Clay, I am another Polar opposite!
Excellent article…so interesting!!
Timothy P Stavert
On May 10, 2009 at 1:39 pm
That was very fascinating Glynis and well written piece.
Tim
Daisy Peasblossom
On May 10, 2009 at 2:13 pm
No math genius here…but hurray for those who are.
Juhls
On May 10, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Interesting history! I always loved math in school (hehe, but never a savant was I), but don’t recall getting the historical, personal scoop on math geniuses, so it was nice to read your article.
George W Whitehead
On May 10, 2009 at 3:39 pm
An interesting article, Glynis. Though not as talented as Masters Bidder and Colburn, being an engineer, I am well versed in mathematics. On the rare occasions that I can’t get to sleep I give myself a mathematical problem to solve in my head and I always manage to drop off before I complete it!
Fegger
On May 10, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Wow…such genius…some things just don’t add up that one or two could be so gifted. I with George on nocturnal behavior–tho’ I often can’t do much more than multiply…then I sleep.
Anne McNew
On May 10, 2009 at 10:29 pm
very interesting piece. so nice to see again on post those genius in the world.
Ruby Hawk
On May 10, 2009 at 10:37 pm
It is so amazing the talent that a few people have. It makes you wonder where it came from. We once lived by a family who had a retarded son and this youngster was an artist. He could draw bridges and airplanes that I doubt anyone could have done better.
Karen Gross
On May 10, 2009 at 10:49 pm
I’ve heard that 5 out of every 4 people are bad at math. I’m definitely one of them.
Lisa Clayton Williams
On May 10, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Great read….amazing people!
payge
On May 10, 2009 at 11:42 pm
A amazing article and amazing people.They can do complicated stuff in a matter of seconds.Me….I need a calculater,pen and paper to do just enough math to make it through life.But I can quilt,sew and write,not a bad trade off.
Glynis Smy
On May 11, 2009 at 12:45 am
Thanks all, I agree with Payge we all have our talents
PR Mace
On May 11, 2009 at 10:43 am
Quite and interesting and well written piece. I for one need my calculater.
Kate Smedley
On May 11, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Fascinating article, quite unbelievable how gifted these boys were. Very enjoyable read.
Mr Ghaz
On May 12, 2009 at 10:11 am
Fantastic! ..thats really amaze me..Great post!..wonderful and well presented article about Genius Maths boy..LOV it..a must read article..well done and thanx for sharing
Lauren Axelrod
On May 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Ugh, don’t remind me. I just finished my Calc homework. ZZZ
swatilohani
On May 16, 2009 at 4:24 am
cool
swatilohani
On May 19, 2009 at 4:17 am
excellent
Bozsi Rose
On July 19, 2009 at 10:48 am
Super cool article for all the Mathletes out there.
TjRockin
On August 5, 2009 at 5:36 am
interesting
clafleur
On August 5, 2009 at 5:39 am
good article, wish they coulda tutored me when I was trying to get through algebra 1 n 2, and geometry.
Nicholas Kenney
On August 10, 2009 at 2:09 pm
WOW! I struggle to do basic math!!
drelayaraja
On November 24, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Great article..
Judy Sheldon
On November 28, 2009 at 12:08 am
I have a niece who used to calculate multiplication tables at the age of three for hours. She loved them. She would start for example at 3 X 3, then 9 X 9, and so forth until we would stop her. It is amazing.