Pythagorean Theorem found on clay tablet 1k years older than Pythagoras (2009) (link.springer.com)

Article summary

A clay tablet from ancient Babylon, dated to around 1900 BC, shows a mathematical problem that is equivalent to the Pythagorean Theorem. The tablet demonstrates a knowledge of the relationship between the length of the diagonal of a square and its side, which is a fundamental concept in geometry. This discovery suggests that the Babylonians knew about the Pythagorean Theorem over 1,000 years before the Greek mathematician Pythagoras. The article discusses the history of mathematics and the development of the Pythagorean Theorem.

Main themes

• History of Mathematics
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Babylonian Mathematics
• Empirical Observation vs. Formal Proof
• Development of Geometry
• Ancient Civilizations' Contributions to Mathematics

What commenters say

• The Babylonian tablet does not provide a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem, but rather an empirical observation.
• The discovery of the tablet does not diminish the contributions of Pythagoras or the Greeks to the development of mathematics.
• The use of the term 'theorem' implies a level of proof and understanding that may not be present in ancient civilizations.
• The Babylonians' knowledge of the Pythagorean Theorem was likely based on practical applications and observations rather than a formal proof.
• The concept of a 'theorem' is distinct from empirical observations, and the two should not be conflated.
• The ancient Babylonians' understanding of mathematics was likely more sophisticated than previously thought, and their contributions to the field should be recognized.
• The distinction between empirical observation and formal proof is important in understanding the development of mathematics.
• The renaming of the Pythagorean Theorem to reflect its true origins is not necessary, as the name 'Pythagorean' refers to the Greek mathematician's contributions to its proof and development.