Road Sign Math

This winning sign takes us to Des Moines, Iowa and is the second submission from fellow enthusiast for mathematically significant road signs and Iowa native, Jim Bernard. This sign is best described in Jim’s own words.

Dear Road Sign Math,

Please find my respectful submission to your totally awesome game. I took this picture while driving to Des Moines. It is located just south of the I-35/I-80 split on I-235 that goes through Des Moines.

Des Moines is a great city. Did you know that the Des Moines metropolitan consists of parts of five counties, including Guthrie county? It was named by a guy named Theophilus Bryan (he was a Sheriff) in honor of his friend Captain Edwin B. Guthrie who was an officer of a company of Iowa volunteers in the Mexican war! He was most definately not killed by football players in Minnesota.

In another amazing Iowa-related Guthrie incident, the famous folk singer Woody Guthrie’s famous grandson Arlo called NPR in August of 2004 from the Flying J truck stop in Des Moines, Iowa. He was calling regarding the Internet sensation from Jib-Jab which used Woody’s anthem “This Land is Your Land.” I’ve eaten eggs at the Flying J. They were good.

Des Moines is run by a guy named Frank who looks like he might even be related to me. But then, all Iowan really do look similar, don’t you think?

In any case, hope you find room for my sign on your website!

Well Jim, for a sign like this, of course we can find room!

This sign is very deceptive, the math is hidden. Upon first look, the casual observer, or even the founder of Road Sign Math was not able to see the math immediately. The key to this sign is to realize that any number divided by itself is 1! We should also take note of this signs homage to Euclid, the father of Euclidean Geometry.

This sign was discovered in Iowa on Interstate 235 just after the I-35/I-80 junction in Des Moines, Iowa. The GPS coordinates are approximated at N41 38 31.3 W93 34 32.5. See sign on map!

Ed.: This is the fourth sign for Iowa placing it in a dead heat with Pennsylvania and Nebraska for the second most mathematical road signs behind the current leader New Mexico, which still has five signs.