The Pythagorean Theorem: A 4,000-Year History

by Eli Maor

By any measure, the Pythagorean theorem is the most famous statement in all of mathematics, one remembered from high school geometry class by even the most math-phobic students. Well over four hundred proofs are known to exist, including ones by a twelve-year-old Einstein, a young blind girl, Leonardo da Vinci, and a future president of the United States. Here--perhaps for the first time in English--is the full story of this famous theorem.


Although attributed to Pythagoras, the theorem was known to the Babylonians more than a thousand years before him. He may have been the first to prove it, but his proof--if indeed he had one--is lost to us. Euclid immortalized it as Proposition 47 in his Elements , and it is from there that it has passed down to generations of students. The theorem is central to almost every branch of science, pure or applied. It has even been proposed as a means to communicate with extraterrestrial beings, if and when we discover them. And, expanded to four-dimensional space-time, it plays a pivotal role in Einstein's theory of relativity.


In this book, Eli Maor brings to life many of the characters that played a role in the development of the Pythagorean theorem, providing a fascinating backdrop to perhaps our oldest enduring mathematical legacy.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, History, Nature, Stem, Philosophy

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2007

Reviews

[Jrobertus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone, but being a science nerd I enjoyed skimming through it. The author writes clearly about a complicated subject and makes it interesting and understandable. It has historical vignettes about the minds who have grappled with mathematical explorations, proofs and logic. The book goes beyond the Pythagorean theorem itself and goes into some calculus and hyperspace geometry with its connection to relativity. I had fun following along with some of the proofs and I'm sure it did my aging brain some good.

[Jógvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars if it was possible here on GR!

[Mykyta Kuzmenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Непогана книжечка. Історичний огляд у контексті використання теореми Піфагора. Нічого особливого

[Swhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to his other books. Bits of history and a bit of relevant math put together in a competent fashion.

[Tonia Giannopoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Σκέτη απόλαυση! Ένα βιβλίο που σίγουρα πρέπει να διαβάσουν οι μαθηματικοί.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our favorite theorem!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good history of the Pythagorean Theorem, different proofs of it, different puzzles and brainteasers using it, and how it relates to other topics in math.

[for-much-deliberation ...]

...for so many years we have all utilised this theorem, it should be quite interesting to learn of its history...

[Murali Behara · Rating 4 out of 5]

So yes it is one of my favorites and a 101 of Math History! Apparently every genius has come-up with their own and a unique proof of the theorem. Spooky stuff! Must Read.

[Michael Dear · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of one of the most important theorems in Mathematics. Accessible to most readers, although still challenging enough for people with a deeper knowledge of the subject.