Русская версия Mnemonic - Articles
Science and Life, N5 1968
ACTOR - MATHEMATICIAN
Arcady Gromov


Roman Semyonovich Arrago
in 1947 year.

Author of this essay, honourable actor Mosconsert Arcady Mickhailovich Gromov, works presently on the book "Half-age on the music-hall". In the number of remarkable soviet actors, with which M. Gromov had together work, was and emerge long years on the music-hall a mathematician R. S. Arrago. Offer to attention the readers a fragment from this books, denote amazing mathematician-actor.

For several years before the first World War on Moscow streets have appear posters, notify of the unusual presentation. They stated: "Mathematician on the music-hall!"
Passers-by read them with the wonderment, but much bigger wonderment they looked unbeleiveble spectators by unbeleiveble actor. He did not sing, did not read, did not dance. he calculated: multiplyed, added, divided eight-digit numbers, extracted square roots, and when somebody named a year, month and day, he immediately and faultless named a weekday, to which this number happenned to. Amazing a public was boundless. This wondered actor was a Roman Semyonovich Arrago, possess by the rare ability nearly lighting produce in the mind the most difficult calculations.
Not easy way he come to this hard profession. And not to her he prepared itself from juvenile years. All was a deal of event.
R. Arrago was born at 1883 in Khonotop in the family of small handicraftsman. And go him on foots of father, if did not posess him with baby ages love for numbers, calculations. Arrago prefere arifmetic at school too - on lessons and on change, and on walks, and at home. Even nights he long did not fall asleep and calculated... calculated... Eight years of stadying in Romensk Real School behind. In the juniurs pocket a certificate, in which only high marks. Only for "behaviour" bad point - because nonskill and unwillingnesses to comply with small-minded and captious school rangings. And it means: "leave any hope on the arrival in high schol".
That time father job was not good, family was enlarged - become seven children, - was necessary work and help to the father. And here is 17-year Arrago in the office of option manufacturer sealer. Its have take on the job title of comptroller of invoices, which duty was a checking the documents on selling goods, and it from mornings before the night multiplyed numbers: 257,5 archin on 32,75 kopecks, 169,25 archin on 27,5 kopecks... And so the whole day. And right here helped him an ability quickly to calculate in mind. For a hour he can check around 150 invoices. He checked it faultless, in several times quicker than other workmans of company, - in this sense a youth was for the merchant by the sheer bonanza, person-machine, ideal counter.
What about the Arrago - for him work was a single possibility to reach the deliver purposes - to enter in high school to study the mathematic. And he continued to check invoices, from nine mornings to eleven nights, but at days of subconduct of balances - and nights through.
Tha day, when dreams come true become reality.
Which high school to chose? Hundreds times Arrago thinking this question. Conclusion only one: Paris! Sorbone! Mathematical department!
Summer 1901 and R. Arrago on parisian railway station. Where now, with what begin? To possess french language, he enters in the lycee Henry IV and already six with the half of months take exams on the secondary-school diploma. At 1902 R. S. Arrago becomes a student mathematical department of Sorbona.
To have a possibility to learn, needed teach the others. New student has measure legs all 64 kilometers of parisian boulevards, running on lessons. For himself time stayed little: at a period an exams Arrago concerned with desperately. On serious scientific work, on the mastering by heights and depths mathematicians he even could not dream. But calculate did not stop "on runs".
Arrago become one of that beggar students, which full Paris and beside which was one care - a struggle with the necessity.
Four year gone. For this time an ability Arrago to complex calculations in the mind become to be known in the university. Quite often happenned to he demonstrates talent in different student companies. Interest by it and professorship. But they saw in abilities Arrago only toy. Its invited in guests to entertain and surprise snobs and patrons of the arts.
On evenings beside the professor Pikar its is condescending patted on shoulder a professor Anri Puankare, uncle famous "Puankare-Warrior", and mellowly told:
- Strangely talented young person! Simply strangely!
Professors - mathematicians and nonmathematicians - were introduce with Arrago, surprised, as this strange russian student without the pencil and paper, in the brain work with enourmous numbers.
Popularity of Arrago be beyond the scope of university. They are interest in salons of russian colony. He was invited writers Balmont, Merezhkovsky, Amphitheatrov.
Visitors of salons, voicing approvals to the amazing student, in the shower considered its only the deft magician. After sessions some conducted its aside and with the mysterious type tried get true answer:
- Tell me, what is your secret? How you made this?
Student can only shamed assure that there are no secret, and he is simply calculates, and only.
Tolkings on abilities of Arrago goes from the russian colony and university in the broader ambience - they are interest french writers, journalists, person participial to the theatrical world. On him "have speak". But he continued to run on lessons.
Very soon he make sure that nobody in "capital of the world" with their own knowledges and abilities needed.
Take exams in Paris and having get diploma Litsensiat, Arrago can not find a work. "If not necessary as a mathematician, can be, find itself using as a biologist?" And Arrago move to Liege and has enter on the third course of biological branch natural faculty Institute Montefiore. In an one and a half year he was able to its mathematical parisian diploma add biological - Liege. But necessity has stay same. Again running about on lessons, again malnutrition.
Do not finding using for his knowledges, loosing any hope on the reception of work in the field of mathematicians and biologies, he has decide to become an engineer-mechanical. He already re-went on the fourth course of high pollytechnic school in Hente and get from the professor Neiberg task - to prepare a project an bridge arch. His friends, a get similar tasks, siting in the labs with drawings, compasseses, logarithmic tables, pencils and write sheet for the sheet. Table Arrago was empty. Professor was strike.
- Why you do not begin to work?
- But its already has done. Calculation is ready.
- How ready?.. So soon?.. But where is it?..
- In my brain! I has done all calculations in the brain.
Arrago become to bring calculations. The professor want to check a work, hardly can to write by speed. Check has make some of time and when come to an end, is render that Arrago did not do any one mistake. Astir in whisper, shaking him hands, professor has say that soon has render deciding influence upon the most further fate Arrago:
- Listen, you do not understand who are you. If you have such head, why you need diploma of engineer? Go on musik-hall.. Show yourself on the satge... It will give you hundred times greater, than any place of engineer! Stage and only stage!..
Suggestion of professor first has upset Arrago: he wanted be an engineer or scientist, but here lets joking spectators. On the other hand, weariness from difficult life in foreigners cities, foreigners countries, absence of certain prospects have force Arrago seriously be conceive.
On cafe, where Arrago ate, he was often meet with certain Anri Plantazhine, fast, rolling person, always anything multifunction, inventing plans, as sooner became rich. He was be enough for any deal, which suggest profits. It full Arrago by projects. Ander his fantasies, Arrago told Plantazhine offer of professor Neiberg. Plantagine even up from amazing.
- What? You can to do such things?.. And this is truth?.. In earnest?..
Arrago jokingly has offer to produce an experience and very fast made several complex calculations. By pencil, Plantazhine become to check calculations.
- Faithfully!
He craze. He spoke, convinced, gesticulated, broke himselves exclamations, spoke compliments, swore:
- How?! With such possibilities - and go in this wretch cafe?! Earn a franc at a day, when possible groups of ten, hundreds of francs for one evening!
Was decide that Plantagine becomes an impresario: will make appearances, find angazhement, sign contracts. Earnings fifty-fifty. Arrago did not yet believe that can represent some value for the musik-hall, that will openned such bright horizons, what were draw in the imagination wake impresario. Where there hundreds - to get francs ten, and that well!
Very fast Plantagine come back with exulting type: it bring angazement in the most fashionable and high-class musik-hall theatre in Brussels "Skala". The first contract! Arrago was worry terribly: if at a necessary moment of its ability will refuse him, if he lose control, is ruin, peoples hiss him? But if appearance will turn out to be boring, will not be a success? One deal - to surprise their own calculations of friends, familiar, professors of university, but other - to emerge in the enourmous room, where is collect public, wanting get "for their own money" maximum of pleasure!
First appearance Arrago was consist 23 november 1908. He does not remember, how emerged and what calculated. Remembers only, that room broke applauses and that it left on endless calling.
From that day Arrago for long years is render by the workman a stage and music-hall, and began traveller life! From the city to city, from country to country!
For time Arrago became master with public appearances. He was worry less and less. But, strange, when he was worry and felt nervous more than usual, work on calculations to him was easier, it consumed on them time less!
Just after appearances in Paris, on one of the most greater musik-hall "Casino de Paris", Arrago has get an invitation on the turret on South America. Seven months worked it, emerging twice at a day.
The necessities in the impresario now already was not: angazhements came to Arrago one for the others. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brasilia. Afterwards Germany, Spain, Hungary, Holland...
Arrago already eight years was not on the native land. From Holland its so has pull not in brilliant Paris, but in lovelly heart Konotop.
Began significant break in wanderings abroad. As from 1912 year they are change shows on Russia. And, like before Arrago after tours on the Europe and America back to Paris now he arrived in Konotop.
By parisian practice, in Moscow Arrago will go for angazhement in the theatrical agency. This was an agency an Rassohina's, fit in Georgiev's lane. Essentially, it concerned with same, than and parisian agencies - pumping from earning actors ten percent. But outwardly between these agencies was a big difference. Parisian, accepting on the account of actors, settled for newspaper reviews on them, qualifications an impresario. Not that was beside madam Rossohina. As real Moscow's merchant, madam did not buy "cat in the bag", she was require the personal look goods. Not to please madam Rossohin mean lose the work, she was in its deal nearly monopolist.
For luck of Arrago, he liked by madam Rossohina, and she has organizine him tours in Moscow, in the restaurant "Jar".
"Jar" was famoust by merchant sprees with beating mirror, smear faces of varnishes by the mustard, nude girls and drunk scandals. And here in theis situation Arrago ahead work, emerge with unusiall program, not look like all, to that grew accustomed visitors "Jar".
"Who needed my calculations - drunked merchant or his girl?.. What possible compute under the patter of knifes and tinkled goblets?" - suddenly thought Arrago, preparing to the first appearance on the native land.
Strange thing - a human phyche!
To "Jar" peoples went to carouse or look, how carouse the others. Greasy shanson, nude girls, gipsy cantoes - here is that liked fanny public. But mathematics?
But now for the first time, and after a hour of nights, when hall was already powerfully "under the degree", on the stage has appear man, which to perform in terms of restaurant, seamingly, something strange - multiple, divide different numbers, extract square roots, name on a date a birth day any one of being present. Instead of to looks out from this eccentric, require a quick change by its juggler or shanson, hall suddenly become die down and with the interest to look at the stage. Goblets stayed not drinked, coolled off guard, and even drunked habitue "Jar" looks with interest on the stage, whence flew to the hall number - three digits, five digits, eight digits... And peoples thunderred applauses...
How to explain this?.. Can be kafeshantan hall having see on the stage a demonstration of amazing possibilities of human mentality, carry to high degrees of perfection, became more human, low instincts for some time have retreat before the interest, enrapturing?!
Cheef of "Jar" Sudakov was much worry, how will pass Arrago's debut, and asked a manager to notify him by telegram. It in that time was in other his restaurant in Petersburg "Bear". Manager early in the morning cabled:
"Arrago has emerge a thunder and lightning arrive look themselves".
Sudakov has arrive, has look and has sign a contract, having offer Arrago to emerge within twenty two days with the payment on sixty roubles for the evening. Arrago emerged not twenty two days, but five months, - more than hundred and half times.
By growing of popularity Arrago in Moscow, and after in other cities of Russia they are interest nevropatologs, psychiatrists, psychologists. The first show his interest known Moscow psychiatrist a professor N. N, Bazhenov, accidentally be present during the appearance Arrago in "Jar".
He was a director an Preobraxhensky hospital, under which functionned psykhoneurologyes courses. On his offer Arrago has emerge before lady-medishian fifth course. Amongst spectators were physicians-neuropatologists, professors, in their number and professor Serbsky.
Most attention a professor Bazhenov has turn on the speed, with which Arrago work with numbers. Multiplying eight digit number on eight digit Arrago has produce within 2 minutes and 26 seconds. Professor has suggestion, that under such rate, obviously, calculations Arrago are a process nonconscious, reflex. However existed and other opinion. Sessions of calculations uncommonly tired Arrago, brought him to physical tired and need for the rest. Is it speak that calculations of Arrago are a complex conscious process, strongly condenset?!
Arrago's show in Kiev passed in literary-artistic group. There come scientific - a professor Shemberg, Ruzsky, Trofimov-Synopsky and the others. Professor Ruzsky has offer Arrago to extract a square root from the astronomical number 485 765 786 891. On the similar operation Arrago usually consumed from forty seconds to one minute. But here it considered more long than usual, digits were procarry by the curl in its brain, he was full of afterwards, but root was not extract.
Arrago has ask a professor, correctly it has name a number, is extract from it root without the remainder. Professor categorically has confirm that number is named correctly and root shall be extract.
Arrago once again begin to compute, too much tire and, finally, persuaded in his truth, is annoyed say:
- You mistaken, professor: instead of last nummers 891 must be 961, then remainder not will.
Professor laughted:
- Yes, you are correct. I specially say 891, to obstruct you a work. I wanted to check you...
Arrago not once "checked" such not scientists, how much certain peoples, with one target - to enjoy. Such "amusements" tired Arrago, but, they were inevitable in his work on the public.
In Petersburg Arrago emerged in the theatre "Pallas", where his session was fix usually on the one and half our on the night. Lasted it the whole half an hour, but Arrago much tired.
One time, after the session he return homeward on the apartment one of their own friend, known actor Rostovtsev. Return, as always, very weary and firmly sleep. In the morning have find that he has lost a consciousness. Its have carried in the nursing home of psykhonevrologikal institute. Diagnosis was unencouraging: inflammation of brain. Arrago weik up only for a tenth day. Professor Gerver, which daily visitted sick, having see that Arrago has open an eye, serious tone ask:
- How much will be if 327 multiply on 649?
After minute Arrago answered by weak voice:
- 212223.
Professor, complacent, laughted:
- Well, it means all successfully! Only for certain term of any your calculations throw! Inflammation of brain was caused by them and only them...
Same say and visited Arrago two times academician Bekhterev, advise do not abuse computing, otherwise, has say it, deal can will finished bad.
On recovery Arrago emerged in Odessa, Kharkov, Nikolaev, Herson, Mineral Waters, Baku.
Only one what caused noncomplacency feeling, - need to emerge in shantan situation and loosed dream to become scientific-mathematician.
He worked it before October revolutions, when in its lifes has occurred a sharp fracture. As far back in Paris by the student Arrago is introduce with A. V. Lunacharsky. When Lunacharsky come to Moscow as minister of enlightenning, Arrago turn to him with their own new plans.
Result of this meeting an appearance Arrago from restaurants were to the wall of scientists places, clubs and buildings of culture. Arrago emerged in the capital and in many cities of country.
One time he emerged in Irkutsk. After the session to him come high representative elderly person.
- Forgive me, comrade Arrago, I am professor Toporkov. I Wants will to be introduce with you, but not from the simple curiosity. I asked you will fix the day, when you will be able to arrive in the university and give a session in whitness of students and professorships. Except me, on professions neuropatology, will be a psychologist a professor Belyaev and mathematician a professor Sverzhipsky. We will try total efforts to understand, in than essence your unusial ability.
Arrago has agree. Ircutsk's club of named to October revolutions has afford its main hall for the report of professor Toporkov "Hiding place of brain Arrago". Colecturers were a professor Belyaev and Sverzhinsky, in debates have take part many from be present. All reach a conclusion, that only drill of memory and such work not enought: greater role play innate abilities Arrago.
In 1925 Arrago get an invitation to emerge in Kharbin. It worked there two months. As always, from the hall were distribute vitrolic questions, having will take aim confuse Arrago. Were and hostile ripostes from White Guard, which in Kharbin was so much.
After Kharbin Arrago was on Japan. Appearances were usually make not in theatres and not in circuses, but in specifically adapt halls at editings of newspapers. In the public were journalists, scientists, students. Emerged Arrago on English. It necessary add that, except visual memory, Arrago was exceed develop and auditory memory, due to which it with lightness has possess many languages: German, Polish, French, English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch.
During appearances Arrago on the stage were usually put two boards, to which were write tasks, offered spectators.
During show Arrago produced adding four-digit numbers, erection in the cube four digit number, rooting and so on.
At second part Arrago executed an experiment, which need from him much energy. In the absence Arrago on the stage his assistent asked spectators to name six six-digit numbers and wrote them in the column on one board, then - four six-digit numbers and wrote them in the column on other board. Thereupon, assistent asked a public to give four four-digit numbers for raising in the square.
Arrago come back on the stage and immediately began to calculate. Found a summ of six six-digit numbers and rememberred it, then summ four six-digit numbers and also rememberred it. Difference of received summs was a third number, which Arrago rememberred, executing further calculations. Each of the offered four-digit numbers it raised in the square and totalized. This summ packed with received earlier difference and declared a final result. When Arrago finished calculations, he whooped seven middle results and eighth - final.
Assistant and hemsels hardly can to write them. Usually parallel with Arrago several persons from the public produced calculations on the paper and checked its answers. During this experiment in the hall stood an absolute silence, spectators is tense kept a check on Arrago and for peoples who checked calculations. On the completion of show in hall flashed up an applause.
On time of this experiment Arrago as it were became a small computing machine, is similar to modern machines with the remember device. Brain of Arrago, repeatedly callable interest of scientists, at 1929 will him to Institute on studying a brain named of academician Bekhterev.
Probably by his appearances during several years Arrago managed to infect his love for numbers and calculations much of spectators. He spoke:
- A skill or art to calculate in the maind, certainly, not much below, unless above chess skill, where needed much to think and combinating in the maind. Wants to peoples who like calaulate on mind, verged as large as possible juniors. I exceedingly please that our young master of calculations render me honour, brushed off me person, place beside us in the Soviet Union beginning to this art: this is best award for my perennial activity.
About astonishing ability Arrago was much wrote. Newspapers were packed by reviews on his shows. Quite often meet headline "Person with the arithmometer in the head".
In 1929 "Bakinsk's workers" wrote: "In events of adding and extractions a roots an answer beside it is usually ready previously, than common calculator will proreturn a handle of arithmometer. One time Arrago compete with the arithmometer of best marks. It was in Berlin. And raising numbers in the square Arrago has overtake his mechanical adversary for 8 seconds".
Here is review of known mathematician, professor Yakov Perelman:
"The things what performs Arrago in the field of, equally strikes and people, distant from mathematicians, and experienced specialists. Less than one minute he multiplies itself on itself four-digits number. Multiplying six-digit on six-digit - at one and half minute. Try to execute this verbally at one and half day faultless. Rooting third degrees from twelf-digits number produce for one minute approximately. Magik impression produces a demonstration of instant adding a column four-digit numbers. Only looks afar to throw a fluent glimpse to the row of numerals, Arrago already names a result".
On years of Second War R. S. Arrago much emerged on plants, in soldierly parts, in sick bays.
Many reviews of workers, wounded, cure in sick bays, be indicative of big thanks of spectators and pleasure, which they got from these appearances.
"Human-riddle", "Prodigy of nature", "Inconceivable phenomenon", actor of music-hall a Roman Semyonovich Arrago, modest, kind person, with which I repeatedly emerged on music-hall, died at age 66 years in Leningrad 29 november 1949.