The IQ test is often criticized by serious researchers. And, nevertheless, it is IQ that remains the most popular measure of intellectual power.
Our top ten includes 10 smartest people on the planetwith an IQ of 160 and above. By the way, about 50% of the world's population have IQs from 85 to 110 points.
10. Stephen Hawking (160 points)
The brilliant theoretical physicist is known for his works devoted to unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Despite the severe form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which deprived the scientist of the ability to walk and speak, Hawking's intelligence remains one of the strongest on the planet.
9. Paul Allen (170 points)
The co-founder of Microsoft has managed, as they say, to turn his mind into wealth. Allen is one of the planet's most renowned entrepreneurs, investors and philanthropists. Allen invests heavily in sports teams and space exploration programs.
8.Sir Andrew Wiles (170 points)
In 1995, a British mathematician shocked the entire scientific world by proving Fermat's theorem, which was considered unsolvable. Wiles has 15 prestigious awards in mathematics and related sciences.
7. Judit Polgar (170 points)
The only woman in the top ten smartest is a Hungarian chess player who became a grandmaster at 15. Chess was taught to Judit and her sisters by her father, who thus proved the effectiveness of homework with young children.
6. James Woods (180 points)
This American actor brilliantly completed a course in linear algebra from the University of California and was admitted to the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, science was abandoned for the sake of acting. Woods has three Emmy awards and a couple of Oscar nominations.
5. Garry Kasparov (190 points)
Kasparov became the world chess champion at the age of 22, thus setting a world record. Today the famous chess player devotes his time to politics, literature and public life. Kasparov is considered one of the informal leaders of the political opposition in Russia.
4. Rick Rosner (192 points)
Such a high intellect of TV producer Rick Rosner is all the more surprising that the American's track record includes work as a stripper, waiter and sitter. Today Rosner works in TV, producing and creating scripts for TV series, talk shows and cartoons.
3. Kim Ung-Yong (210 points)
This Korean prodigy has been included in the Guinness Book of Records for his high intelligence. At the age of two, he easily read, wrote and spoke in two languages, by the age of four he solved complex mathematical problems, and by the age of eight he left to study in the United States at the invitation of NASA.
2. Christopher Hirata (225 points)
American Hirata entered the prestigious California Institute of Technology at the age of 14, and at 16 he was already working at NASA. Hirata specializes in projects related to the colonization of Mars. At 22, the young man received the title of Doctor of Science in Astrophysics.
1. Terence Tao (230 points)
Holder the highest IQ in the world mastered school mathematics at the age of two. By nine, he had finished university mathematics courses, and at 20, he taught at Princeton University with the title of Doctor of Science. At 24, Tao became the youngest professor at the University of California.Peru Terence Tao owns more than 250 scientific works. This is the smartest person in the world today.