Math Giants is a multi-column series highlighting the biggest mathematicians of all time.
by: Jim West FUN FACTS:
ch a tetractys whi shape known as a d se vi de as . 1) Pythagor g of ten points figure consistin ng could be hi is a triangular yt at ever th f lie be e th d starte und with 2) Pythagoras uth could be fo tr at th d an rs be reduced to num . rs ented by odd numbe en were repres m at th d ve lie be bers. 3) Pythagoras en by even num om w d an rs be num
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The Mysterious Mathematician. Ask anyone taking geometry and usually the first thing they learn about is something called the Pythagorean Theorem. It is a theorem in geometry which states that in a right triangle the area of the square on the hypotenuse (side opposite right angle) is equal to the sum of the areas of the squares of the two sides, or perhaps simpler as a2+b2=c2. What is really amazing is how this theorem bears his name when most works written about him didn't exist until years after his death. Quite mysterious! Of the fragments of information about Pythagoras, we know he was well travelled and studied multiple fields. He learned geometry form the Egyptians, arithmetic form the Phoenicians, and astronomy from the Chaldeans. Pythagoras was quite taken by shapes and also by music. According to legend, Pythagoras was walking by some blacksmiths one day and heard the sounds of their hammers and thought how beautiful the sounds were. He deduced that these sounds must be caused by some scientific law that should be easy to represent mathematically. His followers were called the Pythagoreans and were quite mysterious as well. The Pythagoreans were split into two groups; mathematikoi (teachers) and akousmatikoi (listeners). In their school the first concept of paying for education was created. Up until this point in history, education had largely been free. When your parents have to make a tuition payment for your school, tell them they can thank Pythagoras! November 2021
