We first learned the simple method of Hamilton for apportionment, well at least simple compared to the die hard method created by Huntington and Hill. However they are both similar due to the first three steps. They are; find the total population, calculate the ideal district size, and calculate the quotas. Simple right? For that part yes, it gets much more difficult. From there you must find each states upper quota and lower quota then find the geometric mean. Then you create a tentative apportionment and calculate the critical divisor for each state. So on and so on.
Edward Vermilye Huntington was a great mathematician of his time. He spent most of his career at Harvard. During world war one he would actually create important statistics for generals of the army. It was among that time when he learned of the apportionment ideas of Joseph A. Hill. He began to study and revise Joseph's thoughts. He then came up with a method he referred to as "the method of equal proportions" otherwise known as the Huntington-Hill method. This is the current method used in congress today to decide how many seats each state receives. It was signed into law the year he retired from Harvard, November 15th, 1941.
After researching methods such as Webster's, Dean's, and Jefferson's, I believe this method shall be used for a very long time. Although great, not perfect. There were many extensive debates about which method to use. This went on for a long time at the beginning of the 20th century until the speaker of the house, Nicholas Longworth, suggested a team of mathematicians be sent out to find the right method. They then found Huntington's to work the best, thus the current method being used.
sorry bout it being late everyone, my bad/misunderstanding/i'm dumb lol
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that Huntington was creating statistics for the army during World War I. I never knew that a mathematician was involved in the war effort. I also find it interesting that the Huntington-Hill method is used in today’s Congress. I thought they were still using Hamilton’s method. Overall, you made a very good post.
ReplyDeleteWow that is pretty interesting. I agree with Steven about how he would create statistics from the army during war. He must have been really proud of his work and smart as ever to be doing that. Even though this method is kind of hard to understand sometimes for some people like myself, I think it is fair.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I also agree with Steven! I can't believe he played a part in creating statistics.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, and makes sense that some guy from Harvard made this system. It's certainly complicated enough for it to be from Harvard. :P
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool too, I think it's very interesting that he was a mathematician. We need a certified mathematician to approve all of our methods lol
ReplyDeleteNice work, Zach - and better late than never ;)
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, mathematicians are very important in military and defense efforts. Look at the life of Alan Turing for an excellent example - Turing was a British mathematician who broke German codes for the allies during WWII. He also is in many ways the father of modern computer science. And even today, the National Security Agency is the largest employer of PhD mathematicians in the United States!
Whitney - I agree!