The Pythagorean Theorem was discovered by the Babylonians 1000 years before Pythagoras was born

For many of us, the simple words "Pythagoras theorem" are enough to bring back memories of elementary school, as notebooks, pencils and rulers come to mind.

But a recent discovery shows that the famous theorem attributed to the famous Hellenic philosopher, a2 + b2 = c2, turns out to have been used 1000 years before he was born.

Archaeologists have found the equation on a Babylonian tablet, which was used for teaching in 1770 BC – long before Pythagoras was born.

Another earlier tablet, between 1800 and 1600 BC, even features a square with triangles drawn inside.

The translations of the signs, which followed the basic 60 numbering system used by the ancient Babylonians, prove that these mathematicians were familiar with the Pythagorean theorem (although, of course, they did not call it that) as well as other advanced principles. mathematical.

In a paper dedicated to the discovery, data scientist Bruce Ratner wrote that "The conclusion is inescapable. The Babylonians knew the relationship between the length of the diagonal of a square and its side: d=square root of 2".

"This was probably the first known irrational number. However, this in turn means that they were familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem - or, at least, with its special case for the diagonal of a square [...] more than a thousand years before the sage of great one whose name the theorem took", says Ratner.

A plaque (left) dates from 1800–1600 BC and shows a tilted square and its two diagonals, accompanied by the signs

And yet, a key problem remains unsolved: why was the equation equated with the Hellenic philosopher?

Well, most likely because Pythagoras wanted it to be.

In his paper, Ratner points out that although Pythagoras is widely considered the first bona fide mathematician, little is known about his specific mathematical achievements.

Ndryshe nga pasardhësit e tij, ai nuk shkroi asnjë libër për të cilin ne dimë, kështu që nuk ka asnjë provë të shkruar për punën e tij.

Megjithatë, ne kemi prova se ai themeloi një shkollë gjysmë-fetare të quajtur Gjysmërrethi i Pitagorës, e cila ndiqte një kod të rreptë të fshehtësisë.

Siç shpjegoi Ratner “njohuria e Pitagorës u transmetua nga një brez në tjetrin me gojë, pasi materiali i shkrimit ishte i pakët. Për më tepër, nga respekti për udhëheqësin e tyre, shumë nga zbulimet e bëra nga pitagorianët i atribuoheshin vetë Pitagorës”.

“Rrjedhimisht, për veprën aktuale të Pitagorës nuk dihet asgjë. Nga ana tjetër, shkolla e tij praktikonte kolektivizëm, duke e bërë të vështirë dallimin midis punës së Pitagorës dhe asaj të ndjekësve të tij. Prandaj, zbulimi i vërtetë i një rezultati të veçantë Pitagorian nuk mund të dihet kurrë”, përfundon Ratner.