8 Math Movies Featuring Mathematicians and Geniuses

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For centuries, people have been fascinated by the field of mathematics because of its beauty and complexity, even in modern times.

As a result, movies about mathematicians and geniuses have been made to arouse interest when you want to know how to help your child learn math in a simple way.

These films portray the existence of extraordinary mathematicians and their commitment to math. We'll look at eight movies about mathematicians and geniuses in this article.


A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A Beautiful Mind

Ron Howard directed the story of John Nash, a mathematician who won the Nobel Prize but struggled with schizophrenia. Nash, whose groundbreaking work in game theory earned him international acclaim, is played by Russell Crowe with power.

The film examines his personal and professional life, from Nash's early years as a graduate student at Princeton to his later struggles with mental illness.


The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)

If you want to learn more about math, you might want to check out some of the best math apps available today. But even without apps, Srinivasa Ramanujan’s story inspires anyone who wants to explore the beauty and power of mathematics.

Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician, contributed significantly to number theory and the infinite series, and his story is covered in the 2015 film The Man Who Knew Infinity, starring Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons.

The film follows Ramanujan's excursion from his modest starting steps in India to his joint effort with English mathematician G.H. Solid at Cambridge College. The universal language of mathematics and the significance of perseverance are conveyed effectively in the film.


The Imitation Game (2014)

The story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who helped crack the Enigma code during World War II, is told in the film The Imitation Game (2014).

Turing is depicted in the movie as a genius with a troubled personal life as he deals with his homosexuality in a society that doesn't like it. The story of one of history's greatest mathematicians is told in the powerful and moving film The Imitation Game.


Hidden Figures (2016)

The movie Hidden Figures (2016) is one of the movies about math that tells the story of three African-American women who played a vital role in the success of the US space program. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are portrayed in the film as brilliant mathematicians who had to deal with segregation and discrimination in a society that didn't value their contributions.

Secret Figures is a robust and rousing film featuring the significant job mathematicians played in the space race.


The Theory of Everything (2014)

Stephen Hawking, a brilliant physicist and mathematician who contributed significantly to our understanding of the universe, is the subject of the film The Theory of Everything (2014). The movie portrays Hawking as a genius who never gave up on his quest for knowledge despite facing significant physical challenges due to his illness.

The Theory of Everything is a powerful and moving film about how the human spirit can overcome obstacles.


Proof (2005)

John Madden directed the 2005 drama Proof based on David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. Catherine, a young woman who has cared for her mentally ill father Robert, a well-known mathematician, is the story's focus for years. After his demise, Catherine should find peace with her sorrow and her battles with psychological wellness while wrestling with her dad's inheritance and the assumptions of people around her.

Catherine is shown to be a complex, brilliant, and vulnerable character throughout the movie. Her father recognized and nurtured her exceptional mathematical talent, but her mental state and emotional instability pose significant obstacles for her. As a young woman in a male-dominated field, she struggles to reconcile her talent with her doubts and insecurities, as well as the academic community’s skepticism.


Gifted (2017)

Gifted

Gifted is one of the math-related movies about a mathematically gifted first grader named Mary (played by McKenna Grace).

Her grandmother, played by Lindsay Duncan, wants to send Mary to a public school across the country and dedicate her life to math, and Mary's uncle Frank (played by Chris Evans) wants to give her a normal childhood. Frank firmly believes that Mary's late mother, a splendid mathematician who ended her own life, should have completed the math problem in contention rather than allow Mary to inherit the task.

He wants her to be free of the pressure and expectations of being a child prodigy. Frank and Evelyn's tension leads to a custody dispute over Mary, with each side fighting for what they believe is in the child's best interest. The touching 2017 drama starring Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate had a $7 million budget and made $43 million at the box office.


Traveling Salesman (2012)

One of the most well-known unsolved problems in computer science is the “P vs. NP problem,” which is about how well algorithms work. The question is whether every problem a computer can solve can also be solved quickly. In theoretical computer science, it is widely regarded as one of the most significant unsolved issues.

The thriller Traveling Salesman, released in 2012, centers on this issue and the repercussions that could result from its resolution. The movie follows a group of mathematicians attempting to solve the issue and dealing with the obstacles they encounter. In addition, the characters must deal with moral dilemmas and the possibility of their discovery affecting society as the story progresses.


Conclusion

These and other films provide an insightful look into the fascinating world of mathematics and the geniuses who have shaped it, whether you're a math enthusiast or enjoy a good story. We can learn valuable lessons about perseverance, dedication, and the capacity of the human mind to decipher the mysteries of the universe from their stories.

In addition, we are reminded of the transformative power of mathematics and the significance of pursuing one's passions by watching these films, which are entertaining and inspiring.

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