PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

Written by Noelle Loh

Pythagorean Theorem is a mathematical theory that describes the squared length of the sides of a right triangle equals to the hypotenuse, or the longest side, of that triangle. In a familiar algebraic notation, a2 + b2 = c2. The theorem is mentioned in the Baudhayana Sulba-sutra of India, written between 800 and 400 BCE. Nevertheless, the theorem came to be credited to Pythagoras.

Hypotenuse^2  =  Perpendicular^2 + Base^2 

Uses of the Formula

• Mathematical syllabus such as Trigonometry; trigonometric ratios are used such as sin, cos, tan to find the length of the sides of the right triangle.

Application of Pythagoras Theorem in Real Life

• Used to confirm if a given triangle is a right-angled triangle.

• Helps aerospace scientists and meteorologists find the range and sound sources.

• Applied by oceanographers to determine the speed of sound in water.

• Calculating the length of diagonal connecting two buildings

Two Teenage Girls Proved Pythagoras Theorem

• The theory has been previously considered impossible to prove by mathematicians as it could not be solved independently through any other mathematical practices. 

• However, two teenage girls from New Orleans, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Klya Jackson actually proven the 2000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem 

• In a math contest, Johnson and Jackson brought home the bonus question which has driven them to solve this theorem by using trigonometry.

• The pair went to a regional meeting of the American Mathematical Society in Atlanta in March 2023 to outline their findings and submit their discoveries.

References

1. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2005, March 10). Pythagorean theorem | Definition & History. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Pythagorean-theorem

2. Vargas, R. A. (2024, May 6). Teens who discovered new way to prove Pythagoras’s theorem uncover even more proofs. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/06/pythagoras-theorem-proof-new-orleans-teens

3. Making the impossible, possible: Ne’Kiya Jackson, who submitted proof of ‘Impossible’ Mathematical Equation, will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana - Xavier University of Louisiana. (n.d.). https://www.xula.edu/news/2023/08/making-the-impossible-possible-nekiya-jackson-who-submitted-proof-of-impossible-mathematical-equation-will-be-attending-xavier-university-of-louisiana.html

4. Spalding, K. (2023, April 15). Two high school students discover “Impossible” proof of the Pythagorean theorem. IFLScience. https://www.iflscience.com/two-high-school-students-discover-impossible-proof-of-the-pythagorean-theorem-68455

5. Negussie, T. (2023, March 30). 2 New Orleans teenagers say they proved the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-new-orleans-teenagers-proved-2000-year-pythagorean/story?id=98207106

6. Sloman, L. (2024, May 14). 2 High school students prove Pythagorean theorem. Here’s what that means. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2-high-school-students-prove-pythagorean-theorem-heres-what-that-means/

7. https://pages.mtu.edu/~shene/VIDEOS/GEOMETRY/004-Pythagorean-Thm/Pytha-3.pdf