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Short filmTranscript
00:00The answer is a quarter.
00:02Very good, Amber.
00:04If you students keep it up at this rate, you'll be able to tell me the maximum number of regions into which nine circles can divide a plane.
00:10Forty-six.
00:12What was that, Sarah?
00:13I'm sorry, nothing.
00:15No, please, Sarah, share with the rest of the class.
00:18I'm sorry for speaking up. I shouldn't have said anything.
00:21Sarah.
00:22It's okay. Calm down. Catch your breath.
00:33You don't need to apologize for speaking up. In fact, I encourage it.
00:39For all of you.
00:41So, repeat what you just said.
00:47Forty-six.
00:49So you think that's the answer?
00:50No.
00:51You don't think that's the answer?
00:53No. I know it's the answer.
00:56There's no way Sarah got that right. I've been doing math with my dad since I was born.
01:01My dad is a world-famous math scholar.
01:04So there's absolutely no way a new girl, especially an eight-year-old, can solve it inside her head if I can.
01:11You can check the math if you'd like, Mrs. Johnson.
01:29Hello, client. This is a courtesy call from Impact Credit. You are delinquent on your account. Please submit a payment by the 21st.
01:38Oh, jeez.
01:39All right.
01:43Where are you off to?
01:44Oh, I gotta go pick up my daughter from school. I promised to take her out for some ice cream, you know. I just don't want to be late, so.
01:50You're kidding, right? The car isn't done. Mr. Crowley's coming by to pick it up today, and I promised him ten percent off if it wasn't finished on time.
02:00All right, I understand that, but I can't break any more promises with her. All right? I've broken so many promises just because of work. I can't do that anymore, man.
02:10Okay, go get your ice cream. I'll just take that ten percent off your next paycheck.
02:37I never spent enough time with my kid. He moved out, started his own family. Now I never see him. If I could go back in time, I would, but I can't. Don't make the same mistake that I did.
02:59Thanks, man.
03:02But I need the money.
03:13And therefore, nine circles can divide into a plane forty-six times.
03:22So, wow. You were absolutely right, Sarah.
03:28She just got lucky.
03:30I knew you were smart since you skipped a few grades, but I didn't realize you were this smart.
03:36Have you ever considered taking the advanced classes with the gifted kids?
03:42Okay, moving on.
03:46Hey, Sarah.
03:49So, what's up with you and math? You some kind of genius or something?
03:54I've just always been good with numbers.
03:57Your parents must love that, being good at math and stuff. Are they coming to pick you up?
04:03My dad is. We're getting ice cream.
04:06That's me.
04:09Wait, do you want to have lunch together tomorrow?
04:12I'm not sure we'd have much to talk about.
04:15You're way too smart for me.
04:17And you're a little young. You should sit with people in the third grade. Kids your age.
04:26Third graders don't want to sit with me either.
04:30Aw, what's the matter? No one coming to pick you up? How sad.
04:37Oh, here comes my dad. In his Porsche.
04:41Also, if you think you're so smart, you should come to one of my dad's lectures.
04:45And then you can see what a real math genius is like.
04:55Who was that you were talking to, sweetheart?
04:57Just some new girl in my class.
04:59Your class? That girl looks like she's eight years old.
05:02She is eight years old. She skipped a few grades. She's supposed to be really smart.
05:07But not as smart as you, right?
05:09No, of course not.
05:11Good. That's what I like to hear. You're the top of your class and that's how it's going to stay, right?
05:17Right.
05:18Why don't the two of you have a little competition?
05:20Competition?
05:22Yeah, to see who the smartest in the class is.
05:25Then you can show everyone why you're at the top.
05:32Mathematics is the science and study of...
05:35Hey, sweetheart.
05:38Look, I am so sorry.
05:41I couldn't pick you up from school. I just couldn't get out of work, you know?
05:44It's okay. I understand.
05:46It's a good thing we don't live too far away from school, right?
05:50Well, thank you for understanding. I'm going to go start dinner, okay?
05:53I made dinner already.
05:58You know, you never cease to amaze me.
06:00Hey, tell me something. How did I get so lucky to be your dad, huh?
06:05You know, I had offered to help you with your homework, but I'm guessing...
06:10All done?
06:11All done.
06:13Well, I just figured that that was, you know, the appropriate dad thing to do, right?
06:18So what are you watching?
06:19Dr. Waldorf.
06:20Ah, Dr. Waldorf, your favorite mathematician.
06:23You know, I was at work today, and I was thinking, you know,
06:26how many other eight-year-olds in this world have a favorite mathematician?
06:29I'll tell you.
06:31Sweetheart, you are one of a kind.
06:33I'm so proud.
06:36If your mother was still here, she'd be so proud, too.
06:39And you know that.
06:42So, uh, did you meet any new friends today?
06:45Nope, but I did make the mistake of opening my mouth.
06:48Hey, what's that supposed to mean?
06:50You know what it means.
06:51Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one as young as me.
06:55Sweetheart, first of all, you're not a know-it-all.
06:57You're just very intelligent with so much more to learn.
07:01Okay? And second of all, never worry about showing your gift.
07:05It's like that saying,
07:07true talent knows no age.
07:10I don't know.
07:11Sometimes I wish I was just a normal kid.
07:14Then at least I'd be the same age as kids in my grade,
07:17and people wouldn't make fun of me.
07:19Well, sadly, it seems that whatever grade you're in,
07:22there's always going to be a bully making fun of you.
07:25But the important thing is,
07:27is not to think and worry about that silly stuff,
07:32like you are now.
07:34And look, I don't care what passes off as normal
07:37because I love you just the way you are,
07:40and don't you forget it.
07:45Are you kidding me?
07:50Hello?
07:51Hello. Glad I caught you.
07:54You received our automated call this afternoon?
07:57Uh, yeah.
07:58Good.
08:00I just wanted to follow up myself and see when we can expect the payment.
08:04Um, soon. Yeah, I'm just moving some things around, you know. I promise.
08:09Yeah, yeah, you said that last time.
08:12I figured you'd have all of those things well-positioned by now.
08:16I will. I promise. And I'll be in touch.
08:19I'm just having dinner with my daughter.
08:22I look forward to hearing from you.
08:28Hey, don't worry. I'm going to work this out, okay?
08:31I understand about the ice cream now.
08:33I'm going to make that up to you.
08:35Look, let's just forget about this, alright?
08:39So, did you learn anything else in school?
08:48Hello, Sarah. I've got a fun activity planned today.
08:51We are going to have you and Amber compete in a little math bowl.
08:55She suggested it.
08:57Oh, okay. What's the fun activity?
09:01What is the fun activity?
09:03It'll be great. It's just a friendly game and it won't affect your grade or anything like that.
09:10Hey, just calm down. Everything is going to be fine.
09:15Don't stress. Just have fun.
09:18Go put your stuff down.
09:30Are you two ready?
09:34The first question is, round 7,594 to the nearest ten.
09:407,590.
09:43Very good, Amber.
09:50Second question.
10:04Round 7,594 to the nearest ten.
10:097,590.
10:12Very good, Amber.
10:15Third question.
10:18Round 7,594 to the nearest ten.
10:237,590.
10:26Very good, Amber.
10:29Fourth question.
10:3317.
10:35That's correct. You guys are tied again.
10:38Gosh, I'm going to have to start making these harder.
10:40Like, make you multiply the answer by 25 and add 236 or something crazy.
10:45661.
10:47What was that?
10:48The answer. If you multiply 17 by 25 and add 236.
10:56That's correct.
10:58Forget these notes. I'm going to ask you problems off the top of my head.
11:037,818.39.
11:07That's correct.
11:08X equals 1,397.96.
11:13Correct again.
11:15160,283.32.
11:21Whoa. Correct again.
11:24Sarah, you're a genius.
11:27I think it goes without saying, Sarah is the winner.
11:38Nope. That'll work. Thanks.
11:43Sorry, Mrs. Johnson. How can I help you?
11:45Principal Jennings, you know my student Sarah?
11:48The bright one. The one who skipped a few grades. Is she having trouble?
11:52On the contrary. She is extraordinarily intelligent.
11:55She's certainly gifted, and I'm wondering why she isn't in more advanced classes.
12:00I'm not sure.
12:02Have you spoken to her father?
12:04Not since he enrolled. He seems to be very busy. Always working.
12:08There have been a couple of matters I wanted to discuss with him, but his schedule never seems to permit it.
12:20Hi.
12:21Hello.
12:22Hi.
12:23I'm Mrs. Johnson. Are you Sarah's father?
12:25Yes, I am. Is everything okay?
12:27I've heard you're a hard man to reach, so I thought I'd come over on my lunch period.
12:30Did something happen?
12:31No, no, no. No, no, no. Nothing like that.
12:34It's just that Sarah is really bright.
12:38Actually, she's gifted.
12:41Highly intelligent.
12:43Yeah. I know. That's why she skipped a couple grades.
12:46She skipped a couple grades, but the level that she's working out right now, she could likely graduate high school next year.
12:54I'm sorry. I know that she's young, but I'm having a difficult time believing that none of her teachers ever noticed how intelligent she is?
13:02None of her other teachers have ever spoken to you about this?
13:06Sarah is very embarrassed about showing her intelligence.
13:10Embarrassed? Why?
13:14It's complicated.
13:17You see, at her last school, Sarah was the smartest kid in her class.
13:29But because of that, the kids in her class bullied her, and it was very hard for her to make friends.
13:35And it got worse when she skipped grades a few months later.
13:39All the kids were older, and she had more trouble fitting in.
13:43Eventually, it got so bad, we transferred her to your school.
13:47But from what I'm hearing, things aren't any better.
13:51So you see, I mean, she's a good kid, but she's always getting picked on.
13:55That's why she's afraid to participate in class.
13:57She's worried about her grades.
13:59I mean, she's a good kid, but she's always getting picked on.
14:01That's why she's afraid to participate in class.
14:03She's worried about what people think.
14:06She doesn't have any friends, and that's been really hard on her.
14:09Wow, poor kid.
14:11Yeah, I can imagine how tough that must be on her.
14:14But she can't let any of this hold herself back.
14:17There will always be bullies.
14:19Sarah has to get herself into a real gifted program.
14:23That's what I've been trying to tell her, but she won't listen.
14:25She sees being smart as a bad thing.
14:28She doesn't talk to anyone but me.
14:31Maybe if she had, like, a friend that could make her feel comfortable, you know?
14:37Have you ever considered that you might be that friend?
14:47Um, look, maybe you should go.
14:50That's my boss. I gotta get back to work.
14:53Yeah, I understand.
14:55Do you think you could stop by school in the next couple days?
14:58Ugh, getting off of work is really tough around here.
15:01Okay.
15:02Okay, thanks for your time.
15:09And I'm gonna be captain.
15:11I'm definitely gonna give him cheerleader.
15:15Why don't you find some people your own age to sit with?
15:25Okay.
15:35So remember, mathematics is not just about numbers and equations.
15:40It's about patterns, logic, and the very structure of reality itself.
15:47For anyone interested in learning more,
15:50we'll be holding an open lecture in person for anyone to attend this Friday evening in Burbank.
15:56All ages welcome.
15:58Hey, I'm really sorry that I gotta work Saturday.
16:02I know that I planned for us to have, like, a day together, you know?
16:07But, look, after I'm done here, you wanna go somewhere?
16:10We can go to the park, go to the beach.
16:12It's okay. It'll probably already be dark.
16:15It just feels so bad that I'm working all the time.
16:18I mean, it's like with the moving cost and...
16:20Dad, it's fine. I understand.
16:23You can just keep working. You don't have to explain anything.
16:30Actually, there is something I wanna do.
16:34Dr. Waldorf?
16:35The math guy?
16:36Yeah, the math guy.
16:38He's holding an open lecture not too far from here.
16:41I was hoping you would take me.
16:44Do they allow young kids to go to those things?
16:46He said all ages welcome, but I don't wanna go alone.
16:49Could you come with me, please?
16:51Okay, kiddo. Alright? Let me just finish up here and then we'll get going, alright?
16:55Yay! Thank you!
17:02Hey, man.
17:03Hey.
17:04Mr. Mitchell's dropping his car off in about 20 minutes.
17:07So, uh, he always likes to have a quick turnaround, you know?
17:11I'll need you to stick around a little longer.
17:13But I can't. I'm taking my daughter somewhere.
17:18Well, uh, go drop her off and come right back.
17:21Look, this is a big deal. You know how Mr. Mitchell is.
17:25But I mean...
17:29Yeah.
17:35Okay, how about this?
17:36I drop you off, I come back here, I finish up work, and then I'll be with you right before the end of the lecture.
17:42Huh?
17:43I promise you.
17:58Suppose you're on a game show, and you're given the choice of three doors.
18:02Behind one door is one million dollars.
18:06And behind the other two, there's only one dollar.
18:09You pick a door. Say, number one.
18:13But the host hasn't opened it yet.
18:16He knows what's behind all the doors and picks another door.
18:19Say, number three.
18:26The host then gives you the opportunity to switch your door choice to number two.
18:31Is it to your advantage to switch your choice of doors?
18:35Switch doors?
18:37It doesn't make any difference to switch the doors.
18:39The probability is still the same.
18:42Ladies and gentlemen, my brilliant daughter Amber.
18:46Amber is Dr. Waldorf's daughter?
18:49My little girl is following in my footsteps and is absolutely correct.
18:55No, she's not.
18:57Excuse me?
18:58Did you say something, little girl?
19:00Uh, no, nothing.
19:03No, please, if you have something to teach us, please do.
19:08You look familiar, little girl. Have I seen you before?
19:15She's the one from your class.
19:19The one that beat you in the competition?
19:23Hey, why don't you come up on stage, miss, and you can debate my daughter properly on this point.
19:32Daddy, where are you?
19:34Okay, man, I gotta go.
19:36Good luck.
19:37Thanks, man. Hang on a sec.
19:41Mrs. Abernathy just brought her car in. She'll only take 20 minutes.
19:44I don't have 20 minutes, man. I gotta go.
19:46What are you talking about? This is your job.
19:49Yeah, and I'm working overtime.
19:50Yeah, and I'm paying you overtime.
19:52But if you would like me to stop paying you, if you'd like to look for another job, there's the door.
19:58Now, Sarah, if you would, can you explain your logic as to why she should switch doors?
20:06Well, it's pretty simple.
20:08Yes, it is. Simple probability.
20:11And it doesn't take a mathematician to know that my daughter got it right.
20:16Right, honey?
20:17Obviously. I guess Sarah is not as smart as I thought.
20:21Obviously. I guess Sarah is not as smart as I thought.
20:25When the host reveals door number three, it has one dollar inside of it.
20:29Whether you change your selection or not, the odds are still the same. Half.
20:33Everyone knows that.
20:35But that's not true.
20:36Young lady, I've had just about enough.
20:40My daughter is absolutely right.
20:43No point in switching the door.
20:45No, I'm right.
20:47You're just a little girl. What do you know?
20:50There is enough mathematical illiteracy in this country.
20:53And we don't need some little girl who thinks she has a high IQ because she does well in fifth grade arithmetic, helping to spread more.
21:03I know I'm right.
21:05Okay. Okay.
21:08If you're so smart, can you explain your theory?
21:14And the teacher thought she was a genius.
21:21Sir.
21:27Actually, I'd love to explain.
21:30Switching the doors does increase your probability of winning.
21:33You see, when you first choose door number one, there's a one third chance that the prize is behind that one.
21:40But when all the doors are closed, there's a one third chance for each door.
21:44So in this case, at this point, door number two has a one third chance, just like door number one and door number three.
21:51But when the host steps in and lets us know the door number three does not have the million dollars, the chances that door number two has the million dollars increases to a two third chance of being the winning door.
22:02You're wrong, little girl.
22:04No, I'm not.
22:08If you're so confident, prove your theory. In mathematics, everything can be proved.
22:13Gladly. Could I please have a marker?
22:26Here are all the scenarios. You see, there's a two thirds chance door number two has it.
22:31That can't be true. Right, daddy?
22:43How can you just.
22:49I can't believe a little girl. How smart of me.
22:54Well, someone very smart once told me.
22:58True talent knows no age.
23:09A plus. Same. Good job.
23:13See you at lunch. Sure.
23:16Stop.
23:20Hey.
23:22Hi. If you've got something mean to say, I don't want to hear it.
23:26No, actually, it's not that I wanted to say sorry.
23:34I know I haven't been the nicest. It's just that my dad's been putting a lot of pressure on me and it's really gotten to me and I took it out on you.
23:42I shouldn't have.
23:45No, thank you. After you outsmarted my dad. Now he can't say anything to me or make me feel bad again. And I owe it all to you.
23:53Don't mention it.
23:56Hey, do you want to sit with me at lunch today or maybe hang out sometime if you want?
24:01I'd like that very much.
24:07You wanted to tell me something, Mrs. Johnson? Yeah.
24:11Not just me.
24:14Dad, shouldn't you be at work?
24:16Well, you know, the other day that I needed to be at that math lecture, my boss said if I left that he'd fire me.
24:22He fired you?
24:24Nope. Instead, I quit.
24:27No, I'm sorry, Dad.
24:29Don't be.
24:31No, I can find another job, you know, one that I can spend more time with you.
24:36After all, you are my best friend.
24:39I love you, kiddo.
24:41I love you too, Dad.
24:43So what are you doing here?
24:45I don't know. Miss Johnson said she wanted a meeting with us.
24:49Us?
24:50Someone took a video of you proving your concept on stage with Dr. Waldorf.
24:58And it's going viral.
25:01And then Advanced Logic Solutions contacted the school. They're a research company.
25:06They're interested in speaking to Sarah about being a consultant.
25:10Consultant?
25:11It's a think tank.
25:13She would be doing math problems.
25:15It's a one day a week job.
25:17And they're willing to pay $10,000 a month.
25:20What?
25:21They recognize your special genius and see your potential.
25:25Honey, I am so very proud of you.
25:29But if you don't want to do this, you don't have to.
25:31I know.
25:32I want to. I know how much that money can help us.
25:35You won't have to work as much, and it sounds fun.
25:38Oh, also, I'm interested in checking out that gifted program you mentioned.
25:43If it's still okay.
25:45Okay? It's not just okay, it's wonderful.
25:48I thought you were worried about, like, you know, what kids...
25:50I'm not shy about being special anymore. I'm proud of it.
25:54I could probably get you guys in for a meeting right now if you're not busy.
25:57Really? That would be great.
25:59Actually, we can't because we have somewhere to go.
26:02Where are we going?
26:03Go get ice cream.
26:05And then we can talk about everything else later.
26:08Alright? Come on.