There are times when something is so well-known that we just assume it is correct beyond the shadow of a doubt. This is true of something in trigonometry known as the Pythagorean theorem.
This theorem has been used for thousands of years to figure out the third side of a triangle. It is a simple mathematical equation that is used by millions of people every day.
The problem is, nobody has ever been able to prove the fact that it is correct without using something that is known as circular logic. In other words, the equation would equal the triangle but the triangle would equal the equation. They were never able to use trigonometry to prove it.
That is, of course, until a couple of girls came forward at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference in Georgia, and set the mathematical world on fire. Those two girls used the law of sines, which is a fundamental part of trigonometry to prove the theorem was correct.
A Surprising Revelation
Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, high school students in New Orleans, were given the challenge by their teacher to do something amazing. And that’s exactly what they did. They decided to tackle the Pythagorean theorem because it had never been unquestionably proven, and guess what? They succeeded!
Their achievement not only astonished their teachers and the conference attendees, but it also shook up the entire mathematical world. After all, mathematicians had been using the theorem for thousands of years, and it wasn’t until these two brilliant girls stepped in that the theorem was officially proven.
Their groundbreaking discovery has opened up a world of possibilities and called into question many of our long-held beliefs. It reminds us that there is always something new to learn and discover in every aspect of life.
These two young women are destined for greatness, and we have no doubt that they will continue to leave an indelible mark on the world.
To learn more about their incredible achievement, watch the video below:
