Pythagoras

1
Pythagoras

• Pythagoras Theorem
• By Claire Medway

2
Biography

• Pythagoras was born in 572BC on the island of
  Samos, Greece.
• In about 530BC Pythagoras left Samos in hatred
  for its ruler Polycrates and settled in Cretona,
  Italy.
• He joined a religious group known as the
  Pythagoreans.
• He formed a philosophical and religious school
  where they studied mathematics, science and
  music. This attracted many followers.
• When involved with this group he discovered what
  is now known as Pythagoras Theorem.
• Also during his time there he out the mathematics
  of octaves and harmony.
• Because of the secrecy in the group there is
  nothing of Pythagoras writings or books.
• Pythagoras was murdered at the age of 77, in
  495BC and the religious school was separated.

3
Contemporary importance

• Pythagoras theorem has been used over
  thousands of years for many different aspects of
  human life.
• Today his theorem is used mainly in building,
  architecture, carpenter, navigation, astronomy
  and many other fields of work that involve
  mathematical calculations.
• Each of these fields uses his theorem to try and
  decide either the hypotenuse or the two other
  sides in a right angled triangle.
• -Builders use Pythagoras theorem to work out
  dimensions of different aspects of their
  constructions. This allows them to work out the
  exact requirements of building materials needed.
• -Architects use his theorem to work out designs
  for the builders to use. His theory may be used
  to work out exact lengths of roofs, also the
  framework of a house just to name a few.
• -Carpenters uses his theorem to interprete the
  size of sides of their timber structures eg
  corner furniture.
• -Navigators and astronomers use his theorem to
  establish distances between planets, towns,
  countries and stars.

4
Relevance

• Pythagoras is often described as one of the pure
  mathematicians of his time and an extremely
  important figure in the expansion of mathematics.
• Pythagoras theorem is studied from Year 8 to
  Year 12 in NSW schools.
• Students today often wonder why geometry is so
  important. It allows people to think more
  logically and as I have shown in Contemporary
  Importance his theorem is used in numerous jobs
  and work areas.
• Students pursuing technical majors in college are
  expected to understand and extend this knowledge
  on geometry.
• Geometry proofs are also an important way to
  increase disciplined .
• As you can see geometry is still just as
  important now as it was in Pythagoras time.

5
Mathematical achievements

• Pythagoras has contributed various theories to
  geometry, algebra, number .etc.
• All of these theories were discovered during
  Pythagoras time with the Pythagoreans.
• Pythagoras theory is The square on the
  hypotenuse in any right-angled triangle is equal
  to the sum of the squares on the other two sides.
• So for example

Using the formula a²b²c² find side c on the
triangle DEF
D
A
4² 3² c² 16 9 c² 25 c²
v25 c² c 5
c
c
4
b
B
E
C
a
F
3
6
Bibliography

• Maths in Focus, Preliminary Revised
• http//www.palmers.ac.uk/internet/Previous20Event
  s/Eric20Excellence20day/webs
• http//www.perseus.tufts.edu/GreekScience/Students
  /Jordana/MATH.html
• http//www.maa.org/pmet/resources/MSSGimportant.ht
  ml
• http//euler.ciens.ucv.ve/English/mathematics/pita
  gora.htm
• Book Reference World Book 2001 15 P
• By Claire Medway
• 8M1 2006