CTK Exchange
CTK Wiki Math
Front Page
Movie shortcuts
Personal info
Awards
Terms of use
Privacy Policy

Interactive Activities

Cut The Knot!
MSET99 Talk
Games & Puzzles
Arithmetic/Algebra
Geometry
Probability
Eye Opener
Analog Gadgets
Inventor's Paradox
Did you know?...
Proofs
Math as Language
Things Impossible
My Logo
Math Poll
Other Math sit's
Guest book
News sit's

Recommend this site

Manifesto: what CTK is about Search CTK Buying a book is a commitment to learning Table of content Products to download and subscription Things you can find on CTK Chronology of updates Email to Cut The Knot Recommend this page

CTK Exchange

Subject: "Phthagoras' proof #10"     Previous Topic | Next Topic
Printer-friendly copy     Email this topic to a friend    
Conferences The CTK Exchange This and that Topic #903
Reading Topic #903
Monty
guest
Jun-22-09, 01:05 PM (EST)
 
"Phthagoras' proof #10"
 
   I guess I forgot to mention that the proof 10 of Pythagoras I sent you appeared in "Arithmetic in Nine Sections" which was 'published' in China in the third century BC. At least that's what I found when I was writing the issue of Gnarly Gnews dated 210 BC Xian, China


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
alexbadmin
Charter Member
2393 posts
Jun-22-09, 01:44 PM (EST)
Click to EMail alexb Click to send private message to alexb Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
1. "RE: Phthagoras' proof #10"
In response to message #0
 
   I doubt that. The proof is usually attributed to Bhaskara (12 century BC.) Another diagram is commonly attribute to Chinese. This appears at the end of proof #4.

According to J. L. Coolidge (A history of geometrical methods) the book you mention used π = 3 consistently. It also dealt with pythagorean triples - this is mentioned in may sources.

Referring to that diagram in proof #4, Coolidge remarks that the comment in the original is incomprehensible without the diagram, but, although it refers specifically to the 3-4-5 triangle, it is not a proof that they did not know a more general statement. My guess is that, with so much good will, he would mention another proof or a more general statement if one was available.


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Monty
guest
Jun-25-09, 03:40 PM (EST)
 
2. "RE: Phthagoras' proof #10"
In response to message #1
 
   The only Bhaskara I find is 12th century AD. I can't find any mathematicians in 12th century BC.

Here are two sources that back my claim about the Chinese proof. One is The History of Mathematics, by DE Smith, Volume I, page 30. It contains the figure I sent to you. Smith says "The illustration is from a very early specimen of block printing. It'shows the figure of the Pythagorean Theorem but gives no proof."

The other is Wikipedia, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nine_Chapters_on_the_Mathematical_Art
which specifically mentions a proof, though it gives no figure.


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
alexbadmin
Charter Member
2393 posts
Jun-25-09, 03:59 PM (EST)
Click to EMail alexb Click to send private message to alexb Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
3. "RE: Phthagoras' proof #10"
In response to message #2
 
   I'd side with DE Smith. There is an illustration but no proof. The diagram is drawn for a very special triangle. We'll remain in the dark as to whether they had any idea of a general statement. I've no doubt that Wikipedia refers to the illsutration as "proof". This is common.


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Conferences | Forums | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

You may be curious to have a look at the old CTK Exchange archive.
Please do not post there.

Copyright © 1996-2018 Alexander Bogomolny

Search:
Keywords:

Google
Web CTK