Pythagoras

In today’s world, there are a multitude of mathematical theorems and formulas. One theorem that is particularly renowned is the Pythagorean Theorem. The theorem states that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides of any right triangle. While most people have heard of or even used the Pythagorean Theorem, many know little of the man who proved it. Pythagoras was born in 570 BC in Samos, Greece. His father, Mnesarchus, was a merchant from Tyre who traveled abroad. It is rumored that Pythagoras traveled with his father during his early years and was introduced to several influential teachers, including Thales who was a famous Greek philosopher. Several years and many countries later, Pythagoras found himself in Egypt. It was here that he studied at the temple of Diospolis and was also imprisoned during the Persian invasion. During the time he was imprisoned, Pythagoras began to study the religion called Zoroastrianism (Lauer/Schlager, 2001). It was because of these teachings and ideals that Pythagoras eventually moved to Italy. At age 52, while living in Croton, Italy, Pythagoras established the Pythagorean society. It was through this society and his positions in local government that Pythagoras recruited men and women in order to lead them to the pure life with his spiritual and mathematical teachings. Pythagoras believed that number was limiting and gave shape to all matter and he impressed this upon his followers (Gale, 1998). During his time leading the Pythagoreans, Pythagoras not only proved the Pythagorean Theorem, but also made other mathematical contributions. One of those contributions was that a number is an abstract entity, separable from all specifics. He also discovered that the sum of the angles in a triangle is equal to two right angles. While Pythagoras himself provided the world with mathematical insight, his followers also helped to advance mathematics. One follower in particular, Hippasus,