The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-02-10

sSaICGlS stDle 70 Idih, TeelS OH the cor
rect answer 10 complex arithmetical
question with innocent unconcern and
when the opening-mouthed father,
who has been painfully working over
the problem with pencil and paper,
goes over his figures again and fn;is
that his baby Is right and nc Is wrong,
this proud father Is perfectly justified
In believing in the doctrine of inher-
ent genius, or in any one Of a num-
Der Of supernatural things.
Such an uncanny experience would.
probably leave the father with feel
lngs of unce rtainty and forebodines
besides pride in his child's geniality.
His first thought would likely be OF
the family physician, and, his sec
end, Gle of uncommon, uncomfortable
respect for sis precocious heir.
Gauss. the famous German mathe-
maticiaL and. probably, the last
ence in every branch of this science
of his day, began his career as an un-
usual individual at the early age OF
three and in the manner indicated.
His father was paying off his work.
men one day for part time In propor-
ton to their regular daily wages and
Baby Gauss was playing nearby on
the floor. engaged, perhaps IN nothing
more weighty than n baby's natural
attempt to swallow a table leg and
wondering WHY the thing would not
go down. WheR the elder Gauss
had finished casting M the amounts
which he was to pay, his three-year-
old called out: "But that Is not right,
father. 1t makes so much" naming
the correct amount. The father went
over his figures and found that the
child's answer was indeed the cor
rect one.
Gauss, the mathematician, however,
can hardly be classed with justice
among mathematical freaks. He de-
veloped into the greatest mathemati-
clan of his day. His wonderful abil-
ity for mental calculation was re-
tanned throughout his life
Perhaps, the most remarkable cal
culator produced among a western
people was Dase, a German. Johann
Martin aauharias Dase, was born in
north Germany in 1894. He began his
school life at two and one-half years
of age. Although of low general
ability, he was an arithmetical wizard
and figures were. slaves OF his en-
chantnfent. At Is years OF age, Dase
went upon the stage, giving exhibi-
tions as q mental calculator. Later,
he emplcyed his gift In the service OF
science, and was engaged in the COM
putatipn OF logarithms and factors at
the time OF his death at the age OF 81.
Dase had but slight education. He
was dull in everything but calculation
eVen.in mathematics. It is said that
professors whom he served In eonlputa
ing valuable tables, tried in vain to
hammer the simplest theories OF
mathematics into his head. In the
processes of arithmetic, howeber, his
power was practically unlimited.
One stupendous accomplishment of
Dase was the multiplication OF two
numbers OF 100 figures each, which
feat he performed in eight end three
quarter hours. Few people could re-
member one number of 100 figures.
much less remember two such num-
bers, make successfully 100 multipli-
cations, and, in conclusion; remember
and odd the 100 products. It takes
ones breath away to think OF the TO-
900 figures in the grand total.
- ~ y y - srE -sl--s------- : x E.:
Many instances are given OF almost
instantaneous solutions by Dase of
yexing arithmetical problems OF ,ey-
eryday experience. In him figures
had q master, and fraction and inte- 4
ger Sell into any of their infinite
combinations required with precision,
speed and Gocility of willing slaves.
As an alf-rornd calculator, Dase sur
passed even modern calculating ma
chimes.
His intimate knowledge of the uual.
tiles OF figures and constant practice
IN their handling equipped him with
ffil4Hy siioTI-euts Tor their manipula-
ton. His memory for figures was
wonderful This memory probably
exniains the facility with which he
could give the roots of inGge numbers.
He would give square roofs OF num-
bers of loo figures in 80 minutes. AL
SO Dase had nearly as unusual ability
to count by sight as in meRtal calcu-
lation. It Is recorded that he could
count sheep, people or articles before
him in masses thirty at a glance.
whereas, flest Of us count By ones.
Tom Fuller was one OF natures
freaks. He was brought from Africa
70 this county as a slayetat the age
Of ~. An lliterate negro, ecarce half
9 step removed from sayagery, sprung
from 9 people whose ability to count
ends with their tenth fingcr and 70
whom all higher numbers are many
or many y-niany.y gruIler, neYeFthc-
.eas. developed an ability to handle