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=.& Peopre who strdi") v,;;i*matics The critical thinking skills developed through the study of math_ ematics are valuable in many careers. The following is only a small sample of people who studied mathematics but became famous for work in other fields. Many of the names come from,,Famous Nonmathematiciansi,a list compiled by Steven G. Buyske, Rutgers University.

Ralph Abernathy, civil rights leader, BS in mathematics, Alabama State University

Corazon Aquino, former president of the philippines, a math_ ematics minor

Mayim Bialik, actress on The Big Bang Theory,studied math_ ematics as part of her ph.D. in neuroscience

Harry Blackmun, former Supreme Court justice, summa cum laude in mathematics, Harvard University

James Cameron, film director, studied physics before leaving college, works in oceanic and space research

Lewis carroll (charres Dodgson), author of Arice in wonderrand, a mathematician

David Dinkins, former mayor of New york City, BA in math_ ematics, Howard University

Alberto Fujimori, former president of peru, MS in mathemat_ ics, University of Wisconsin

Art Garfunkel, musician, MA in mathematics, Columbia University

Grace Hopper, computer pioneer and first woman Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, ph.D. in mathematics, yale University

ilaeJemison, first African-American woman in space, studied mathematics as part of her degree in chemical engineering from Stanford Un iversity

John Maynard Keynes, economist, MA in mathematics, C-ambridge University

Hedy Lamarr, actress called,,the most beautiful woman in Hollywood," invented and patented the mathematical technique of "frequenry hopping,,

Lee Hsien Loong, politician in Singapore, BA in mathematics, Cambridge University

Brian May, lead guitarist for the band eueen, completed his Ph.D. !n astrophysics in 2007, I mperial College

Danica McKellar, actress, BA with highest honors in math_ ematics, UCLA, and co-discoverer of the Chayes_McKellar_Winn theorem

Edwin Moses, three-time Olympic champion in the 400_meter hurdles, studied mathematics as part of his degree in physics from Morehouse College

Florence Nightingale, pioneer in nursing, studied mathemat_ ics and applied it to her work

Natalie Portman, Oscar-winning actress, semifinalist in lntel Science Talent Search and co-author of two published scientific papers

Sally Ride first American woman in space, studied mathemat_ ics as part of her ph.D. in physics from Stanford University David Robinson, basketball star, bachelor,s degree in math_ ematics, U.5. Naval Academy

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Nobel prize-winning Russian author, degrees in mathematics and physics from the University of Rostov

Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, studied mathematics at Trinity University, Dublin

Laurence Tribe, Harvard law professor, summa cum laude in mathematics, Harvard University

Virginia Wade, Wimbledon champion, bachelor,s degree in mathematics, Sussex University

Misconception Five: Math provides Exact Answers A mathematical formula wiil yield a specific result, and in school that result may bemarked right or wrong. But when yo,, ,rr" mathematics in real-life situations, answersare never so clear cut. For example:

!ryh offers simple .interest oJ 3or, paid at the end of one year (that is, aJter one year the banh pays you 3% of your

'.ccount ialance). tf you ieposit sloio ,"iry and mahe no fur_thq deposits or withdrawals, how much wiil you havi in your accouni a1t , one year?

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