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Enslaved African mental prodigy Thomas Fuller, the "Virginia Calculator" famously out-calculated standard arithmetic tools in 1780 by factoring leap years into a 70-year-old's age in seconds right on… (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 hours ago by time2lose@lemmy.world to c/interestingasfuck@lemmy.world

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Full title: Enslaved African mental prodigy Thomas Fuller, the "Virginia Calculator" famously out-calculated standard arithmetic tools in 1780 by factoring leap years into a 70-year-old's age in seconds right on the spot.

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[–] fdnomad@programming.dev 14 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

I don't understand. What exactly did he calculate quickly? Why is there a calculator instead of actual 1780 arithmetic tools?

[–] lagoon8622@sh.itjust.works 5 points 49 minutes ago

He calculated math quickly. "Calculator" as a term is older than electronics – it meant someone who could... calculate quickly.

[–] Mok98@feddit.it 12 points 2 hours ago

"How many seconds did this 70 year old live?" Is the question he answered, therefore the amount of leap years matters. Why there is a modern calculator in the picture or why is the post worded in such a weird way I don't know