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Math In The Movie 'Hidden Figures'

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The Figures of Hidden Figures:

The Roles of Numbers in the Movie Hidden Figures

Kaitlyn Campbell

Benton High School

Abstract
The Figures in Hidden Figures is about the role that numbers played in the hit movie Hidden Figures. The math in Hidden Figures represented the actual math that NASA faced during the space race. The movie was surprisingly accurate in its literal use of math and how it was solved to send astronauts to space. The other role of math in Hidden Figures was its use as a leveling factor during a time of rampant segregation. The ones seen as most unqualified in a time of deep segregation against African Americans and women were the ones who were the most qualified to solve the math used in the movie; they were just as qualified as any white male was to solve those equations. Overall, the math in the movie represented actual math faced at the time and symbolized the actual fight for segregation that occurred at the time and still occurs today. The Figures in Hidden Figures …show more content…

Math and numbers played a huge role in the movie and the events that inspired them. In the movie, three African American female calculators for NASA used math to fight daily for the equality they deserved and to help send astronauts safely to space and back. The math in the movie literally was used to help the United States win the space race and send astronauts safely to space and back, but it also represents a fight for equality that is still relevant today. Math in Hidden Figures is an accurate representation of both the amazing math actually used to win the space race and the fight for equality that still exists in society

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