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Friday, December 30, 2016 5:18am ET by  
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Janelle Monáe learned challenging mathematical equation for role in 'Hidden Figures'

Music artist Janelle Monáe challenged herself to learn an incredibly complex mathematical equation solved by NASA officials, which was used to help launch the first space mission, for her role in the new movie 'Hidden Figures'. 

In the film, she plays the role of real-life mathematician Mary Jackson and told America's Today Show that to make the character and her representation more authentic she decided to learn the equation personally:

"I was actually in honours math, but with math, you have to study that, so when I got involved in the arts, I was (a) theatre student, international thespian, in a capella choir, after school Shakespearean classes... and I kinda got dusty, so I realised that that was not my career path. 

"But, I had the opportunity to work with an incredible mathematician, Mr. Rudy. We filmed in Atlanta, Georgia and I wanted to learn the elliptical equation, that was one of the equations that Katherine and all of the mathematicians there used to help get our astronauts into space, so I did challenge myself to do that."

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Watch a trailer for the film here:

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