Road Sign Math

driving + math = fun

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Chaos in Three Miles

March 5th, 2005 · 2 Comments

Maryland First Sign

This stunning sign comes to us from Brian Polidoro. Brian, like many of our other Road Sign Math enthusiasts runs a website dedicated to interesting sitings along the road at www.lostagain.net. Brian’s submission was challenging and required a close inspection from the judging committee.

The rules are particularly relevant on this sign. It is a mileage marker so the road numbers on the left are excluded. The sign makes for very elegant and simple math.

1 + 2 = 3

But the wonderful part of this sign is how the road numbers, which again are excluded for this type of sign, even make their own math magic!

70 + 15 = 85

This sign has a double dipping if you will of mathematical relevancy. All in only three miles. There are so many numbers and relationships on such a basic sign that it makes us step back for a moment and consider the importance of such a significant sign.

Fellow Road Sign Math fans should also take a moment to observe the cars that are captured in Brian’s photograph. All of those people are driving under that sign and probably not even considering the genius of it. We must get out there and spread the word. Let others know of your enthusiasm for Road Sign Math by getting your very own shirt or bumper sticker, similar to the one that Brian will be getting for his winning sign.

This sign is located on I-270 northbound in Maryland at the crossing of the Monocacy River, nearing Frederick. The GPS coordinates are N 39 21 49.7 W 77 23 57.4. See sign on map!

Tags: Maryland

2 responses so far ↓

  • 1 SH // Dec 20, 2005 at 1:50 pm

    Of course you can also combine all the numbers into 70+15-85=1+2-3.
  • 2 Don // Dec 20, 2005 at 5:54 pm

    Great submission. I have "only" driven on I-270 about a milliion times btwn DC and Hagerstown and the beautiful symmetry of the sign never occured to me. Great Job!

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