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Judi Lynn

(162,384 posts)
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 10:54 AM Apr 2023

High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorea

High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem

By Sascha Pare published 2 days ago

Two high school seniors have presented their proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry — which mathematicians thought to be impossible — at an American Mathematical Society meeting.




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High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem
By Sascha Pare published 2 days ago
Two high school seniors have presented their proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry — which mathematicians thought to be impossible — at an American Mathematical Society meeting.

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The two high school students high five each other.

Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson presented their findings March 18 at the American Mathematical Society’s (AMS) Spring Southeastern Sectional Meeting. (Image credit: YouTube screenshot from WWL-TV)


Two high school students say they’ve proved the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry — a feat mathematicians thought was impossible.

While the proof still needs to be scrutinized by mathematicians, it would constitute an impressive finding if true.

Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson, who are seniors at St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans, presented their findings March 18 at the American Mathematical Society’s (AMS) Spring Southeastern Sectional Meeting.

"It's an unparalleled feeling, honestly, because there's nothing like it — being able to do something that people don't think that young people can do," Johnson told the New Orleans television news station WWL(opens in new tab). "You don't see kids like us doing this — it's usually, like, you have to be an adult to do this."

More:
https://www.livescience.com/high-school-students-may-have-just-discovered-an-impossible-proof-to-the-2000-year-old-pythagoeran-theorem
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High school students may have just discovered an 'impossible' proof to the 2,000-year-old Pythagorea (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 2023 OP
I hope they get invited to the White House. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #1
Slow down NoRethugFriends Apr 2023 #2
I know, but it is still remarkable for two high school kids to get this far in their project. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #4
Lotta high powered mathematicians in the audience. Apparently none found a flaw Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2023 #7
Right they have to get back to campus and make their doctoral students do the heavy lifting Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #16
I hope they don't fall prey to The Matilda Effect! Marthe48 Apr 2023 #11
Wow! It'll probably be some years down the road before this is confirmed as a valid proof, but just SWBTATTReg Apr 2023 #3
Truth is zipplewrath Apr 2023 #18
'Hidden Figures" panader0 Apr 2023 #5
My First Thought, Too! ProfessorGAC Apr 2023 #12
If it is proven to be correct, these impressive young women deserve an international prize. housecat Apr 2023 #6
+1 2naSalit Apr 2023 #8
Nobel prize would finance their educations colorado_ufo Apr 2023 #9
There's no Nobel for math. cloudbase Apr 2023 #14
Yes. caraher Apr 2023 #15
This proof will not have a revolutionary effect on mathematics, so no Fields prize Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2023 #17
Awesome republianmushroom Apr 2023 #10
This video is an attempt to suss out the proof caraher Apr 2023 #13
Impressive proof from 2 high school students. Jim__ Apr 2023 #20
Okay, but the scarecrow in Wizard of Oz has a more difficult version.. Permanut Apr 2023 #19

Irish_Dem

(57,446 posts)
4. I know, but it is still remarkable for two high school kids to get this far in their project.
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 11:56 AM
Apr 2023

These young women have well known, expert mathematicians evaluating their project.

Yes I know, the full accolades only come IF they have been accurate in their work.

I have advanced degrees and it is unheard of for high school students
to get the attention of university PhDs who don't even pay attention to undergraduates
or master level students. That is how the system works.

I still like the fantasy of them with Joe and Kamala at the WH.

Bernardo de La Paz

(50,912 posts)
7. Lotta high powered mathematicians in the audience. Apparently none found a flaw
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 12:53 PM
Apr 2023

(But it is too much to ask for careful scrutiny while presentation slides are whizzing past.)

And presumably it got some scrutiny by professional mathematicians before the presentation was accepted onto the program.

Irish_Dem

(57,446 posts)
16. Right they have to get back to campus and make their doctoral students do the heavy lifting
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 02:06 PM
Apr 2023

and dirty work. That is how the system works.

SWBTATTReg

(24,085 posts)
3. Wow! It'll probably be some years down the road before this is confirmed as a valid proof, but just
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 11:55 AM
Apr 2023

WOW on this accomplishment, especially at such a young age. Neat!

zipplewrath

(16,692 posts)
18. Truth is
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 03:01 PM
Apr 2023

I reviewed work by very smart engineers that often contained subtle flaws. But quite honestly, the work was brilliant, outside of the subtle flaw. Whether it turns out to be a valid proof, they've done impressive work. These women have a potentially wonderful future.

ProfessorGAC

(69,879 posts)
12. My First Thought, Too!
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 01:30 PM
Apr 2023

I'm not as impressed by their math acumen as I am about their obviously profound interest in math.
I think that's awesome.

cloudbase

(5,747 posts)
14. There's no Nobel for math.
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 01:32 PM
Apr 2023

There is, however, the Fields medal, often referred to as the Nobel of math.
Not even close to the same payout, though.
If the proof is validated, they won't have to worry about financing their education.

caraher

(6,308 posts)
15. Yes.
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 01:44 PM
Apr 2023

They can count on scholarships with a significant math publication under their belts. Even if the proof turns out to be flawed they've shown considerable promise!

Bernardo de La Paz

(50,912 posts)
17. This proof will not have a revolutionary effect on mathematics, so no Fields prize
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 02:37 PM
Apr 2023

But they can have a free university education, as other posters suggest can play out.

caraher

(6,308 posts)
13. This video is an attempt to suss out the proof
Sun Apr 2, 2023, 01:32 PM
Apr 2023

Accessible to anyone who understands geometric series and trigonometry

Permanut

(6,636 posts)
19. Okay, but the scarecrow in Wizard of Oz has a more difficult version..
Mon Apr 3, 2023, 01:12 AM
Apr 2023

They can work on that corollary next.


“The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side.”

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