mathematicians Flashcards
(26 cards)
Who was Grace Hopper?
Grace Hopper (December 9, 1906 – January 1, 1992) was a computer scientist, mathematician, and US Navy admiral.
What did Grace Hopper create?
She created the first computer compiler, which translated programming languages into code.
What programming language did Grace Hopper help develop?
She helped develop COBOL, a widely used programming language.
What impact did Grace Hopper have on military computer systems?
Her work made military computer systems more accessible.
What was Grace Hopper’s influence?
She greatly influenced modern computer science and military technology.
Who was Katherine Johnson?
Katherine Johnson (August 26, 1918 – February 24, 2020) was a NASA mathematician and aerospace technologist.
What was Katherine Johnson’s contribution to space travel?
Her calculations helped send astronauts into space and to the moon.
What was significant about Katherine Johnson’s career at NASA?
She was one of the first African-American women to work at NASA.
What advocacy work did Katherine Johnson engage in?
She became an advocate for racial and gender equality in STEM fields.
Who is Danica McKellar?
Danica McKellar (Born January 3, 1975) is both an actress and a mathematician.
What did Danica McKellar do to promote math education?
She wrote math books to help teenagers enjoy and succeed in math.
What theorem did Danica McKellar co-author?
She co-authored a physics theorem called the Chayes-McKellar-Winn theorem.
Who is Gladys West?
Gladys West (Born October 27, 1930) is a mathematician known for her work on Earth’s shape.
What technology did Gladys West help develop?
Her research helped develop the Global Positioning System (GPS).
What was Gladys West’s role in the U.S. Navy?
She worked for the U.S. Navy, analyzing satellite data.
What honor was Gladys West awarded?
She was inducted into the Air Force Missile and Space Hall of Fame.
Who was Mildred Dresselhaus?
Mildred Dresselhaus (November 11, 1930 – February 20, 2017) was a physicist known as the ‘Queen of Carbon Science.’
What did Mildred Dresselhaus study?
She studied graphene and carbon nanotubes, advancing material science.
What was one of Mildred Dresselhaus’s contributions to technology?
Her research improved energy storage and electronic technology.
What advocacy work did Mildred Dresselhaus engage in?
She was an advocate for women in physics and engineering.
Who is Shafi Goldwasser?
Shafi Goldwasser (Born February 25, 1958) is a computer scientist and cryptographer.
What did Shafi Goldwasser help develop?
She helped develop probabilistic encryption, improving data security.
What prestigious award did Shafi Goldwasser win?
In 2012, she won the Turing Award, the top prize in computer science.
Who is John Urschel?
John Urschel (Born June 24, 1991) is a mathematician and a former NFL player.
