Most of us remember the Pythagorean Theorem from school:
a² + b² = c²
It’s a simple yet powerful equation used to calculate the lengths of sides in a right-angled triangle. But have you ever wondered who actually discovered it?
The story of this famous mathematical principle goes far beyond Pythagoras himself.
The Pythagorean Theorem states:
In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Formula:
👉 a² + b² = c²
This theorem is the backbone of geometry, but it also plays a role in physics, engineering, architecture, and even computer graphics.
While the theorem is named after Pythagoras of Samos, a Greek philosopher and mathematician from the 6th century BCE, he wasn’t the first to know about it.
Ancient civilizations discovered this relationship between triangle sides long before Pythagoras was born.
Ancient Babylonian tablets, especially Plimpton 322, show the use of Pythagorean triples (like 3-4-5 triangles) as early as 1800 BCE. These values follow the same relationship as the theorem, though they weren’t expressed with algebraic formulas.
There’s no solid proof that the Babylonians understood or proved the general rule, but they used it practically in calculations and construction.
In India, the Sulba Sutras (dating between 800 and 500 BCE) contain geometric concepts that align with the Pythagorean Theorem. These texts were used for designing ritual altars and show a high level of mathematical understanding—possibly even earlier than Pythagoras.
Pythagoras is credited with the first known proof of the theorem. Rather than using it practically like earlier cultures, he and his followers approached it through logic and deductive reasoning, laying the foundation for formal geometry.
His work turned a practical rule into a theoretical principle—something that could be universally proven and applied.
The Pythagorean Theorem isn’t just school-level math. It supports:
Trigonometry
3D modeling and geometry
GPS and navigation
Architecture and engineering
Physics and space science
Whether you’re designing a building or coding a game, this formula helps make sense of the world around us.
It’s used in geometry, trigonometry, navigation, engineering, architecture, and computer science for calculating distances, angles, and dimensions.
Yes! There are over 370 known proofs, including geometric, algebraic, and even visual proofs. One was created by U.S. President James Garfield!