Explore these biographies of real people who solved problems using mathematical skills and logical reasoning.
Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant: As a young boy in China over 1,800 years ago, Cao Chong solved a difficult problem with weights and measures.
The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague: Raye Montague created equations for naval ship travel.
Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain: Sophie Germain solved a problem in math that led to better bridges.
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America’s Cook: Fannie Farmer standardized the way recipes are put together.
Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor: The famous American actress Hedy Lamarr was also an inventor who developed a technique called “frequency hopping” to keep communications secure.
The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner: Lise Meitner used mathematics to discover the atom could be split.
The Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America: Edith Clarke created equations to allow electricity to travel faster across long distances.
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars: Elizebeth Friedman cracked codes during war and peace time.
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II: Many teenage girls and young women also broke codes during World War II.
Katherine Johnson created critical equations needed for space travel:
- Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
- Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician
- Hidden Women: The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race
- DK Life Stories: Katherine Johnson