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Pytha

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Pytha

Uploaded by

chandra.pratyush
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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### Notes on Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem

#### Who was Pythagoras?


- **Pythagoras of Samos** (c. 570–495 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and
mathematician.
- He is best known for his contributions to mathematics, particularly the
**Pythagorean Theorem**.
- Pythagoras founded a religious movement known as **Pythagoreanism**, which
combined his mathematical studies with his philosophical beliefs.

#### Pythagorean Theorem


- The **Pythagorean Theorem** states that in a **right-angled triangle**, the
square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal
to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

\[
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\]
where:
- \(a\) and \(b\) are the lengths of the legs of the triangle.
- \(c\) is the length of the hypotenuse.

#### Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem


- **Geometry**: Used to find distances, heights, and areas in geometrical shapes.
- **Trigonometry**: Forms the basis for trigonometric identities and functions.
- **Construction and Engineering**: Used to ensure structures are level, square,
and stable.
- **Navigation and Mapping**: Helps in calculating shortest paths and distances.

#### Proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem


- There are **over 400 known proofs** of the Pythagorean Theorem, making it one of
the most proven theorems in mathematics.
- Proofs include **algebraic**, **geometric**, and **trigonometric** methods.
- A famous proof was provided by **Bhaskara**, an Indian mathematician, who
illustrated it with a simple diagram and the phrase "Behold!"

#### Pythagorean Triples


- A **Pythagorean triple** consists of three positive integers \(a\), \(b\), and \
(c\) that satisfy the equation \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\).
- Examples of Pythagorean triples: (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), (7, 24, 25).
- These triples can be used to construct right-angled triangles without needing to
measure or calculate decimal numbers.

#### Pythagorean Influence


- **Philosophy**: Pythagoras believed numbers were the fundamental building blocks
of the universe.
- **Astronomy and Music**: He connected mathematical ratios to harmonics in music
and the orbits of planets, coining the term "harmony of the spheres."
- **Legacy in Mathematics**: Pythagoras's ideas influenced many later thinkers,
including Plato and Euclid.

#### Fun Fact


- Pythagoras is often credited with discovering the theorem, but it was known in
Babylonian and Indian mathematics centuries before his time.

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