Summary Pythagoras: Everyone knows his famous theorem, but not who discovered it 1000 years before him | SpringerLink link.springer.com
6,364 words - html page - View html page
One Line
The Pythagorean Theorem, commonly attributed to Pythagoras, might have been known by Babylonian mathematicians a millennium before.
Slides
Slide Presentation (10 slides)
Key Points
- The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
- There is no concrete evidence that Pythagoras himself discovered or proved the theorem, and it is believed that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved it 1000 years before Pythagoras was born.
- The Pythagorean Theorem has been proven in over 371 different ways and has been collected into a book by Elisha Scott Loomis.
- Pythagoras founded a secretive school called the Semicircle of Pythagoras, which focused on intellectual disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
- The discovery of the Pythagorean Theorem by Babylonian mathematicians showcases their advanced mathematical knowledge and is evidenced by a clay tablet known as YBC 7289.
- Euclid of Alexandria also provided two proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem in his book Elements, and his work is considered the most successful textbook in the history of mathematics.
- The Pythagorean Theorem has had a lasting impact on mathematics and has been used in various fields, including physics and Albert Einstein's theories of relativity.
Summaries
17 word summary
The Pythagorean Theorem, credited to Pythagoras, may have actually been discovered by Babylonian mathematicians 1000 years earlier.
77 word summary
The Pythagorean Theorem, credited to Pythagoras, may have actually been discovered by Babylonian mathematicians 1000 years earlier. Elisha Scott Loomis compiled over 371 proofs of the theorem. Notable figures like Einstein and da Vinci provided their own proofs. Euclid of Alexandria included two proofs in his book Elements. The theorem's impact is widespread, with applications in physics. Despite Pythagoras receiving credit, there is no concrete evidence supporting his discovery. The theorem remains a fundamental concept in mathematics.
156 word summary
The Pythagorean Theorem, attributed to Pythagoras, is a well-known mathematical concept. However, there is evidence suggesting that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved the theorem 1000 years prior to Pythagoras. Over 371 different proofs of the theorem have been collected into a book by Elisha Scott Loomis. Notable figures like Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and President James A. Garfield have provided their own proofs of the theorem. Pythagoras is a mysterious figure, with much of his knowledge based on legends and stories. The Babylonian mathematicians showcased their advanced knowledge by discovering the theorem. Euclid of Alexandria also provided two proofs in his book Elements, which is considered the most successful textbook in mathematics history. The theorem's impact is far-reaching, with applications in various fields, including physics. Although Pythagoras is credited with the discovery, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The Pythagorean Theorem continues to be studied and remains a fundamental concept in mathematics.
362 word summary
The Pythagorean Theorem, named after Greek mathematician Pythagoras, is a well-known mathematical concept. However, there is no concrete evidence that Pythagoras himself discovered or proved the theorem. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved the theorem 1000 years before Pythagoras was born.
The theorem has been proven in over 371 different ways and collected into a book by Elisha Scott Loomis. Notable individuals such as Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and President James A. Garfield have provided proofs of the theorem.
Pythagoras is a mysterious figure, and much of what is known about him is based on legends and stories written by historians hundreds of years after his death. It is believed that he founded a school called the Semicircle of Pythagoras in what is now Italy. The school focused on intellectual disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy, and its members, known as the Pythagoreans, believed in the power of numbers.
The discovery of the Pythagorean Theorem by Babylonian mathematicians showcases their advanced mathematical knowledge. Babylon was a prominent civilization 4000 years ago in modern-day Iraq. Among their clay tablets, one known as YBC 7289 contains a proof of the theorem, showing a tilted square and its diagonals with numbers written in the Babylonian numeration system.
Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria also provided two proofs of the theorem in his book Elements. His work is considered the most successful textbook in the history of mathematics and forms the basis of modern geometry.
The Pythagorean Theorem has had a lasting impact on mathematics and has been used in various fields, including physics. Albert Einstein incorporated the theorem into his theories of relativity, highlighting its continued relevance.
In conclusion, while Pythagoras is credited with the discovery of the theorem, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Instead, evidence suggests that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved the theorem 1000 years before Pythagoras. The theorem's impact is far-reaching, with numerous proofs collected and compiled into a book. It has also been used by notable individuals such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci. The Pythagorean Theorem continues to be studied and remains a fundamental concept in mathematics.
603 word summary
The Pythagorean Theorem is a well-known mathematical concept, but the story behind its discovery is not widely known. The theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides, is named after Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician who lived around 500 BCE. However, there is no concrete evidence that Pythagoras himself discovered or proved the theorem. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved the theorem 1000 years before Pythagoras was born.
The Pythagorean Theorem is considered one of the most famous statements in mathematics and has been proven in over 371 different ways. These proofs were collected and compiled into a book in 1927 by Elisha Scott Loomis, a mathematics teacher from Ohio. Some notable individuals who have provided proofs of the theorem include a 12-year-old Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and President James A. Garfield.
Pythagoras himself is a mysterious figure, and much of what is known about him is based on legends and stories that were written by historians who lived hundreds of years after his death. It is believed that Pythagoras founded a school in what is now Crotone, Italy, called the Semicircle of Pythagoras. The school followed a code of secrecy and focused on intellectual disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. The Pythagoreans, as the members of the school were called, believed in the power of numbers and their divine meaning.
The discovery of the Pythagorean Theorem by Babylonian mathematicians provides evidence of their advanced mathematical knowledge. Babylon was one of the great civilizations of antiquity, rising to prominence 4000 years ago in what is now modern-day Iraq. The Babylonians left behind thousands of clay tablets that reveal their accurate records of astronomical events and their excellence in the arts and literature. Among these tablets is one known as YBC 7289, which dates back to around 1800-1600 BCE and contains a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem. This tablet shows a tilted square and its two diagonals, with numbers written in the Babylonian numeration system. By translating these numbers into the base-10 system, it is possible to calculate the square root of 2, which is an irrational number and proves the theorem.
Euclid of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician who lived around 300 BCE, also provided two proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem in his book Elements. Euclid's work is considered the most successful textbook in the history of mathematics and forms the basis of modern geometry. His proof of the theorem, known as Euclid I 47, is often referred to as the Pythagorean Theorem.
The Pythagorean Theorem has had a lasting impact on mathematics and has been used in various fields, including physics. Albert Einstein, for example, used the theorem in his Special Theory of Relativity and his General Theory of Relativity. The theorem's connection to relativity shows its continued relevance and importance in the field of mathematics.
In conclusion, the story of Pythagoras and his famous theorem is a fascinating one that spans over 4000 years. While Pythagoras is credited with the discovery of the theorem, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Instead, evidence suggests that Babylonian mathematicians discovered and proved the theorem 1000 years before Pythagoras was born. The theorem's impact has been far-reaching, with numerous proofs collected and compiled into a book by Elisha Scott Loomis. It has also been used by notable individuals such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci. The Pythagorean Theorem continues to be studied and explored by mathematicians and remains a fundamental concept in mathematics.