Greek mathematician Pythagoras may not have discovered the Pythagorean theorem

The Pythagorean theorem, a cornerstone of high school mathematics education, has long been attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras, who lived around 2,500 years ago. However, a study from 2009 revealed that the concept was known to the ancient Babylonians even before Pythagoras' time.

The theorem, expressed as a^2+b^2=c^2, asserts that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (c) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides (a and b).

Despite its association with Pythagoras, it was recently unearthed that Babylonian mathematicians might have been the first to grasp this mathematical relationship.

The study highlights a Babylonian tablet known as IM 67118, dating back to around 1770 BC, which demonstrates the use of Pythagorean principles to calculate the length of a diagonal within a rectangle. This finding predates Pythagoras' birth by several centuries, challenging the conventional attribution of the theorem's discovery.

Another tablet, tracing back to approximately 1800-1600 BC, features labeled triangles within a square, further indicating Babylonian awareness of geometric principles akin to the Pythagorean theorem.

These discoveries suggest that the roots of this fundamental mathematical concept extend further back in history than previously believed.

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Upon closer examination of the Babylonian numerical system, which operated on a base 60 counting system, mathematicians decoded markings on these tablets, revealing an understanding of advanced mathematical concepts.

Bruce Ratner, a mathematician, emphasized that Babylonian mathematicians were likely acquainted with the Pythagorean theorem, or at least its special case for the diagonal of a square, long before Pythagoras' era.

"The conclusion is inescapable," Ratner wrote. "The Babylonians knew the relation between the length of the diagonal of a square and its side: d=sqrt(2). This was probably the first number known to be irrational.

However, this in turn means that they were familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem – or, at the very least, with its special case for the diagonal of a square (d2=a^2+a^2=2a^2) – more than a thousand years before the great sage for whom it was named."

Ratner also shed light on the scarcity of original sources documenting Pythagoras' work, suggesting that Pythagorean knowledge was transmitted orally across generations due to limited writing materials. This oral tradition might have contributed to the association of the theorem with Pythagoras himself, as subsequent discoveries by his followers were often attributed to him.

"Moreover, out of respect for their leader, many of the discoveries made by the Pythagoreans were attributed to Pythagoras himself; this would account for the term ‘Pythagoras’ Theorem,'" Ratner explained.

These revelations challenge traditional narratives surrounding the origins of mathematical knowledge, underscoring the importance of archaeological and historical research in uncovering the true lineage of mathematical concepts.

The recognition of Babylonian contributions to mathematical understanding serves as a testament to the richness and complexity of ancient mathematical traditions, expanding our appreciation for the diverse origins of mathematical thought.

The study was published in the Journal of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing.

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