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Mathematics Goes to the Movies

by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross

 

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

34:50
Good blackboard in Prof. Barnardt’s office. Klatu leaves mathematical visiting card.

39:15
same blackboard with more math added to it.
BARNARD: You wrote this?
KLATU: It was a clumsy way to introduce myself. But I understand you are a difficult man to see. I thought you’d have the solution by this time.
BARNARD: Not yet. That’s why I wanted to see you.
KLATU: All you have to do now is to substitute this expression at this point.
BARNARD: Yes, that will reproduce the first-order term. But what about the effect on the other terms?
KLATU: Almost negligible. With variation of parameters, this is the answer.
BARNARD: How can you be so sure? Have you tested this theory?
KLATU: I find it works well enough to get me from one planet to another.

46:21
Klatu, helps Bobby with his maths homework
KLATU: All you have to remember is first find the common denominator, and then divide
BOBBY to his mother:
BOBBY: He’s my best friend, and he is awfully good in arithmetic. He even helps Prof. Barnardt with his arithmetic.
Mom: Did you really go to see Prof. Barnhardt?
BOBBY: Sure we did. He wasn’t there, but we went to see him and Mr Carpenter (Klatu poses as Mr Carpenter) showed him how to do his arithmetic.