Pythagoras of Samos is a bit of a mysterious figure. There are many different accounts of his early and midlife, some of which contradict each other. One thing that is common among all the records is his mathematical achievements. When it comes to math, he played an extremely large part in the development of mathematics.
Pythagoras was born in 570 BC in Samos. Most of the information that can be found today about Pythagoras was written a few centuries after he died in 495 BC. His mother was a native of the island Pythagoras was born on. His father was a merchant from Tyre. During his early childhood Pythagoras stayed in Samos, but as he grew older he would accompany his dad on his trading trips. Due to travelling with his dad he studied
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Odd numbers were thought of as female and even numbers as male.” Out of all the numbers Pythagoras believed that the number ten was the holiest number. He believed this because it was made up of the first 4 digits, and when arranged in 4 rows of points it made a triangle. Pythagoras also discovered prime numbers and composite numbers. He also did some research relating to perfect numbers (the sum of the divisors is equal to the number). The number 6 is an example of a perfect number. (3+2+1=6) He discovered that 28 was also a perfect number, and his students later found 496 and 8128 to be perfect numbers as well.
Pythagoras’ biggest mathematical work was the Pythagorean Theorem. This theorem had already been discovered by the Babylonians, but Pythagoras was the first to prove that it was correct. This theorem relates to the three sides of a right triangle. It states that the square of a hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other sides. The formula for this is “a^2+b^2=c^2.” In this formula a and b = the two shorter sides of the right triangle. C is equal to the side that is opposite of the right angle, or the hypotenuse. Pythagoras was also responsible for introducing more rigorous
Being one of the greatest philosophers of his time, Pythagoras created a society of skilled mathematicians who worked together to facilitate mathematics, showed how numbers can be independent, and proved the Pythagorean theorem, making him iconic in mathematics today. His discoveries of simple yet essential methods are prevalent today throughout many mathematical fields in which they are treasured.
Pythagoras made influential contributions to philosophy and religion in the late 6th century BC. He is often revered as a great mathematician and scientist and is best known for the Pythagorean theorem which relates the two sides of a triangle to the hypotenuse using the formula a squared plus b squared equals c squared. However, because legend and obfuscation cloud his work even more than that of other pre-Socratic philosophers, one can give only a tentative account of his teachings, and some have questioned whether he contributed much to mathematics or natural philosophy. Many of the accomplishments credited to Pythagoras may actually have been accomplishments of his colleagues and successors. Some accounts mention that the philosophy associated with Pythagoras was related to mathematics and that numbers were
Pythagoras also contributed to the music world. He expressed the musical harmony in formulas. He created a scale layout with gongs in different sizes and he proved that in the resonance of the gongs he hit, 1 octave interval is equal to 2:1 proportion, the perfect fifth is equal to 3:2 proportion, perfect four is equal to 4:3 proportion and whole notes are equal to 9:8. This, later started to be known as “Pythagorean Tuning.”
Greek mathematical and scientific ideas have also been a large contribution. Euclid, a Greek mathematician, wrote many theorems. His theorems have been very substantial because they are included in today’s mathematical problems. One of his theorems include “If two straight lines cut one another, the vertical, or opposite, angles shall be equal.” This specific theorem is used in proofs and it proves that all vertical angles are equal. Hippocrates was a Greek physician who created the Hippocratic Oath. This oath
Wouldn’t it be nice to know how, and why the seasons change? What about knowing when is the best time to plant, why can’t seeds grow in the winter months? Persephone’s myth is an outstanding way of explaining this . The Greeks lived because of this myth that they followed. We can’t plant in winter, but we can in the sun time. This is all because of Demeter and the loss of her daughter.
Hipparchus was a greek astronomer, geographer, and mathematician born 190 B.C. in Nicaea and died in 120 B.C. Rhodes, Rhodes, Greece. Hipparchus is accredited as the inventor of trigonometry because of his discovery of the first table of chords and also because he's the only person with valid data of the discovery and usage of trigonometry. In order to calculate the rising and setting of zodiacal signs, Hipparchus brought to light the division of circles into 360 degrees and the calculation of chords by looking at the triangles (spherical triangles or triangles that made up a circle) differently. Hipparchus experimented putting all triangles to be within a circle and with the three points each touching the
One of Thales’ most renounced findings include his discovery in geometric studies in the area reading the rules of triangles. He came to the conclusion that if the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal, the sum of the angles of a triangle are equivalent to two right angles. With the application of “geometric principles to life situations, Thales was able to calculate the height of a pyramid by measuring its shadow, and the distance of a boat to the shore, by using the concept of similar triangles” (pg. 5, Muehlbauer). Realizations such as these helped shape the beginning for the formation of natural law based on observations of the world through explanation.
Speaking of triangle’s Pythagoras’ most famous contribution to the world of mathematics, The Pythagorean Theorem was proved during this time period. Pythagoras did not create the Theorem, the creation is credited to the Babylonians and Indians, however Pythagoras was the first man to successfully prove the Theorem. The iconic equation looks like
The Greeks made several inventions, most notably in the subject of math, which are still studied today and taught in school. Mathematician Euclid is often credited as the “Father of Geometry” for all his work and studies in this subject, which are compiled in his books called The Elements. He organized known geometrical statements called theorems and logically proved all of them. He proved the theorem of Pythagoras (another Greek mathematician), which stated that the equation (c2 = a2 + b2) is true for every right triangle.
Geometry first originated as a way to solve problems in architecture and navigation. A famous figure in geometry is Euclid. Around 300 BC, he published a book, The Elements, which contained definitions, axioms, and postulates that would be regarded as a standard of mathematical reasoning for the next two thousand years (Mueller, 1969). Euclid basically gave the foundation of what is now called Euclidean geometry. However,
Pythagoras contributed to our understanding of triangles, angles, areas, proportion, polygons, and polyhedra. Pythagoras also related music to mathematics so that's why he is also credited with the discovery that the intervals between the harmonious musical notes always have whole number ratios. For instance, playing half a length of a guitar string gives the same note as the open string, but an octave higher; a third of a length gives a different, but harmonious note; etc. He had long played the seven string lyre, and learned how harmonious the vibrating strings sounded when the lengths of the strings were proportional to whole numbers, such as 3:2, 2:1, 4:3. But Pythagoras intelligence not only came from him but with the help of his followers, so yeah it wasn't all truly all his work but he was for sure a good mathematician. Furthermore, in conclusion I feel like Pythagoras was an amazing mathematician for sure and his followers as well because though they did not get the credit for it they also were a great
There are many great philosophers in this world. Some of which are extremely well known and almost everyone knows their names like Socrates, Plato Aristotle Locke and so very many more. Pythagoras is a less known philosopher who had a lot of discoveries while leading a life in a secretive manner. He was an enigma and the leader of a religious sect cult who believed the universe to consist solely of whole numbers and their ratios. Pythagoras said "Do not talk a little on many subjects, but much on a few." Has one ever wondered where did he learn his vast knowledge of mathematics and religious aspects leading to the Pythagorean cult, or what was all of his discoveries besides
Eratosthenes was a great Ancient Greek mathematician known for creating the Sieve of Eratosthenes. He is also known for measuring the circumference of the earth accurately. He was born in Cyrene, Greece, which is now known as Libya, North Africa, in 276 B.C. He was born to Agalus and his wife. After his birth he was at the front seat of learning, he was educated at The Plato’s Academy in which he learned under the philosophies of Plato.
Euclid of Alexandria was born in about 325 BC. He is the most prominent mathematician of antiquity best known for his dissertation on mathematics. He was able to create “The Elements” which included the composition of many other famous mathematicians together. He began exploring math because he felt that he needed to compile certain things and fix certain postulates and theorems. His book included, many of Eudoxus’ theorems, he perfected many of Theaetetus's theorems also. Much of Euclid’s background is very vague and unknown. It is unreliable to say whether some things about him are true, there are two types of extra information stated that scientists do not know
Euclid Of Alexandria may be the best-known mathematician of the world, he is best known for his work on mathematics The Elements. The fact that his work has survived so long, 2000 years in fact, is a tribute to his mathematical genius, however very little of him is known. Three theories abound as to the true nature of this historical figure. Not all historians agree that Euclid was in fact a historical figure, some argue that the school in Alexandria took up the name Euclid to publish their works. But the more accepted theories are that Euclid was in fact a real historical figure who may have been the leader of a team of mathematicians.