A Limerick for Mathematicians

Brainteasers and Puzzles, Mathematics, Numbers

For those of us who have yet to memorize our multiplication tables, the concept of someone doing math for fun is as paradoxical as putting pineapple on pizza. Even so, Leigh Mercer (1893–1977) was known for being a recreational mathematician. In other words, he simply delighted in math. We know… Weird, isn’t it? Then again,…

Commonplace Fun Facts

March 17, 2022

1–2 minutes

dozen, gross, Leigh Mercer, limericks, math limericks, mathematical limericks, recreational mathematics, score

We know… Weird, isn’t it?

Then again, it’s not the weirdest hobby we have encountered, as some of these articles will attest.

Anyway, back to Mercer… He is credited for making a limerick out of the following mathematical equation:

${\frac {12+144+20+3{\sqrt {4}}}{7}}+(5\times 11)=9^{2}+0$

It can be expressed thusly:

A dozen, a gross, and a score
Plus three times the square root of four
Divided by seven
Plus five times eleven
Is nine squared and not a bit more.

If you liked that one, here is another mathematical limerick.

Read about the Mathematician Who Died From Being a Picky Eater

Learn How to Make $1 Million Through math

Discover more from Commonplace Fun Facts

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3 responses to “A Limerick for Mathematicians”

Perry Casilio

March 17, 2022 at 7:05 pm

Excellent post…I love Math + have several Math history books!

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alecsams

March 21, 2022 at 1:13 pm

I can’t remember if I’ve already sent you this or not so here it is (again?):

The wonders of nature said he
are remarkably brought home to me
when I think that this clock
gives one tick and one tock every
every 2π√(l/g)

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1. Commonplace Fun Facts
  
  March 21, 2022 at 1:44 pm
  
  That is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Do you know where that originated? It is worth a stand-alone post.
  
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