Pythagoras

The famous greek Mathematician and musical theorist

Pythagoras is a historical figure where is respected by many mathematicians in the world. He has brought many theories that made calculations and measurements a breeze, contributing to the technological advancements in building and constructions, measuring of immense floating bodies in space and a particular length and height of a particular object by just using his theorem. As we know it today as the Pythagorean theorem, Pythagoras didnt actually came out with the idea at first but it was the Babylonians and the Indians. Instead, Pythagoras actually proved the theorem and of course the credit goes to him. Of course also, there are a number of proofs to prove that the theorem works. Some proofs used similar triangles, Euclids proof, rearrangement, algebraic and by using differentials. So that was one part that Pythagoras dedicated his time to. The other theories and investigation he performed on was on music. As he was baffled and intrigued by the tones that blacksmiths make when they hammered their swords. And of course, he discovered that musical notes were linked to maths by finding out that the ratio of the hammers weight by hitting on their anvils. But ironically it was not applicable with hammers, and instead, it was connected to string lengths and their properties. He also was a Greek philosopher and had influenced many great philosophers like Aristotle and Plato and always believed in transmigration ,which is the reincarnation of ones soul until it achieves immortality. By being a philosopher, he also managed to leave behind a way of live to his followers(Pythagoreans). But as a mathematician, he has contributed to the world a important theory. Making life much easier and opening the eyes of others to the wonders of mathematics and science.

The Pythagorean Theorem Equation

The Pythagoras Theorem Diagram

By Duncan 17 January 2012 Famous Historical Mathematicians Research