The Truth About the Origin of Pythagorean Theorem

While Pythagoras has long been hailed for his contributions to mathematics, new evidence reveals that the theorem most associated with him predates him by a millennium.

Babylonians Beat Pythagoras to the Punch

The commonly attributed Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²) was actually found inscribed on an ancient Babylonian clay tablet, known by its catalog name IM 67118. Dating back to 1770 BCE, this educational tool demonstrates the theorem by solving the length of a diagonal inside a rectangle, proving that Babylonians were familiar with this mathematical concept centuries before Pythagoras’s birth around 570 BCE. Another ancient tablet dating from 1800-1600 BCE shows a square with labeled triangles, further supporting that Babylonians had a solid grasp of advanced mathematics.

Why Pythagoras Got the Credit

So why is this principle called the Pythagorean theorem? No original writings from Pythagoras have survived. The knowledge we attribute to him was passed down by his followers, members of a secretive school named the Semicircle of Pythagoras, located in what is now southern Italy. The absence of original sources can be attributed to the fact that teachings were passed down orally, due to scarce writing materials, according to mathematician Bruce Ratner. Furthermore, discoveries made by Pythagorean scholars were often credited to Pythagoras himself out of respect for their leader.

While Pythagoras may not have been the original mind behind the theorem, his school certainly played a key role in popularizing it. Consequently, the theorem has been associated with his name for millennia, even if he wasn’t its true originator.