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

[Judi Lynn]

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

[Irish_Dem]

1. I hope they get invited to the White House.

Biden and Kamala would be very proud of these young women.

[NoRethugFriends]

2. Slow down

It hasn't been scrutinized by experts yes.

[Irish_Dem]

4. I know, but it is still remarkable for two high school kids to get this far in their project.

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]

7. Lotta high powered mathematicians in the audience. Apparently none found a flaw

(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]

16. Right they have to get back to campus and make their doctoral students do the heavy lifting

and dirty work. That is how the system works.

[Marthe48]

11. I hope they don't fall prey to The Matilda Effect!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217763252

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Wow! It'll probably be some years down the road before this is confirmed as a valid proof, but just

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

[zipplewrath]

18. Truth is

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.

[panader0]

5. 'Hidden Figures"

[ProfessorGAC]

12. My First Thought, Too!

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

[housecat]

6. If it is proven to be correct, these impressive young women deserve an international prize.

[2naSalit]

8. +1

[colorado_ufo]

9. Nobel prize would finance their educations

and futures.

[cloudbase]

14. There's no Nobel for math.

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]

15. Yes.

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]

17. This proof will not have a revolutionary effect on mathematics, so no Fields prize

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

[republianmushroom]

10. Awesome

[caraher]

13. This video is an attempt to suss out the proof

Accessible to anyone who understands geometric series and trigonometry

[Jim__]

20. Impressive proof from 2 high school students.

[Permanut]

19. Okay, but the scarecrow in Wizard of Oz has a more difficult version..

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.”