You are here

Math: Unbudgeable by Any Congressman

Mathematician Warren Smith has used the "shortest splitline algorithm" to create a map that divides the state of Illinois into 18 congressional districts completely free of political influence, reports the Chicago Sun Times.

Smith began by drawing the shortest possible line that cuts the state into two halves with roughly equal populations, and kept cutting the halves in half until he had 18 pieces.

While there is a campaign underway in the Land of Lincoln to take redistricting out of the hands of the General Assembly, Smith doubts that even an independent commission would delineate districts as impartially as his algorithm.

"What is real is actual mathematical criteria. The algorithm is designed with exactly that goal in mind. Very simple. Totally unique. Totally unbudgeable by any congressman," he says.

Read more.

Start Date: 
Tuesday, June 3, 2014