News

Brilliant Black Teens in the US Solve a Math Problem That Was Thought to Be “Impossible” for 2,000 Years

Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson have made history by proving a 2,000-year-old math theory using trigonometry without circular logic.

Cover Image Source: YouTube/ WWLTV

Two high school students from St Mary’s Dominican High School in New Orleans, Emma Johnson and Claire Jackson, have presented proof of the Pythagorean theorem, which they claim is independent of circular reasoning, to the Mathematical Association of America. According to The Guardian, the theorem, which dates back 2,000 years, states that the sum of the squares of a right triangle’s two shorter sides equals the area of a square on the hypotenuse. Its importance to the study of trigonometry, which relies on the theorem, has previously led mathematicians to argue that any alleged proof which uses trigonometry is guilty of circular reasoning.

Johnson and Jackson claim their proof, which is based on the Law of Sines, shows that it is possible to prove the theorem using trigonometry without resorting to circular reasoning. The teenagers’ presentation was part of a session that also included presentations from researchers from institutions such as the universities of Alabama, Louisiana State and Texas Tech.

In an interview with WWL-TV, Johnson described it an “unparalleled feeling” to be presenting her work alongside university researchers, and explained that she and Jackson were inspired by the slogan of their school, “No excellence without hard labor.” Jackson credited their teachers at St Mary’s for pushing them to achieve something which many mathematicians considered impossible.

The Pythagorean theorem is one of the most famous theorems in mathematics and has been taught in schools around the world for generations. It is named after the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who is said to have discovered it. The theorem has a wide range of applications in fields as diverse as architecture, engineering and physics. The theorem is also important in the study of trigonometry, which is the branch of mathematics concerned with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. Trigonometry has a wide range of practical applications, from surveying and navigation to computer graphics and engineering.

The presentation by Johnson and Jackson is an impressive achievement, especially given their young age.

Representative Image Source: Pexels/ Photo by: Karolina Grabowska

The work of the two teenagers has implications for algebraic number theory and cryptography, among other fields. The students intend to pursue careers in environmental engineering and biochemistry respectively.

According to ITV, Catherine Roberts, executive director for the American Mathematical Society, said: “Members of our community can examine their results to determine whether their proof is a correct contribution to the mathematics literature. We encourage them to continue their studies in mathematics.”

Roberts added that American Mathematical Society members “celebrate these early career mathematicians for sharing their work with the wider mathematics community.” St Mary’s Academy’s alumni include Judge Dana Douglas and restaurateur Leah Chase.

Related Posts

Annastacia Palaszczuk called out after dismissing nuclear energy on Q+A appearance

A teenage boy has called out former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after she rejected nuclear power plants as an option for Australia’s future energy mix. On ABC’s Q+A, Ms Palaszczuk argued against nuclear energy during a debate about Peter Dutton’s proposal to construct seven nuclear reactors if he wins the next election. ‘Nuclear is not the option,’ Ms Palaszczuk argued on Monday night.

Britain RUBBISHES Russian claim of ‘war drills’ in channel & says Vlad’s ship quietly ‘transited’ under our watchful eye

THE Royal Navy has rubbished Russia’s claims its “most dangerous“ warship held military drills in the English Channel. State media reported the ultra-modern Admiral Golovko practised combat against mock enemies while passing through. Sabre-rattling Putin deployed the Project 22350 warship from its Arctic home base in Severomorsk 11 days ago for its maiden long-distance voyage.

Militant farmers to stage a ‘national strike’ against Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax raids – with meat and crops set to be withheld from supermarkets

Militant farmers will hold back meat and crops from supermarkets next week as part of a ‘national strike’ against Labour’s inheritance tax raids. The direct action will be taken by ‘several thousand’ UK farmers over a week starting from Sunday. It coincides with over 10,000 farmers heading to London for a march against the punishing tax next Tuesday, November 19.

Bizarre 300ft ‘Egyptian’ pyramid topped by crystal skull loomed abandoned over US city before getting surprising new use

A BIZARRE Egyptian-style pyramid with a “cursed“ crystal skull on top was left abandoned in the US – before it was given an unintended new use. The 321ft Memphis Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee had faced several problems, which was all blamed on a mysterious curse by it’s creator. The mind behind the outlandish structure even claims that there are still other hidden artefacts inside that are yet to be discovered more than 30 years later.

I’m in my 40s and fell in love with a teenage convict in a high-security US prison after writing to him from Essex… we’re now planning our wedding

A British woman in her 40s fell in love with a teenage American inmate in a maximum security prison after writing to him from Essex – and now they’re planning their wedding. Lucy Patterson, 42, first came across Sean Hetzer on a website that allows you to write to prisoners while she was studying a degree in forensic psychology. Sean , now 26, was 18 years old when Lucy first reached out and he was just three years into a ten-year sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at Bexar County District Courts, San Antonio, Texas, back in February 2014.

At least 35 dead & 43 injured after ‘deranged driver bitter over divorce’ rams his 4×4 through crowd of joggers in China

AT least 35 people are dead and 43 are injured after a driver fuming about his divorce rammed his SUV into a crowd. The horror smash happened in China – with Xi Jinping urging “all-out efforts“ to save those hurt. Initial police reports said the sick man circled the sport complex several times and drove down exercisers after he became dissatisfied with the division of property in a divorce.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *