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Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by fsckboy on Thursday October 05, 2023 @02:10AM (#37775386)
depends on the method they used to come up with the formula. It's not obvious that the sum of a "more complicated than you can do in your head" series of fractions would be either the square root of two or the the diagonal of a square, let alone both. This is a fragment of a single clay tablet. If they had a systematic method of coming up with this convergent series, there might have been a stack of tablets showing square root of three, five, etc. It seems pretty highly suggestive to me.
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by ssener2001 on Thursday October 05, 2023 @04:46AM (#37776270)
I agree.Obtaining this formula by observing is more difficult than obtaining it by proving it. Besides, it is an issue that is already needed in field work. If you have pen, paper and a good number system, it shouldn't be too difficult to find the formula with shapes.
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by loa_in_ on Thursday October 05, 2023 @07:19AM (#37777159)
I imagine back then things like number systems and methods of proving were just made up as they go.
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by lazide on Thursday October 05, 2023 @10:16AM (#37778908)
Clay tablets and a stylus also less convenient than pen and paper.
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by KMag on Thursday October 05, 2023 @11:55AM (#37780244)
That entirely depends on how close you are to high-clay-content muddy bank with a growth of reeds vs. how close you are to the nearest convenience store/office supply store.
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by lazide on Thursday October 05, 2023 @03:40PM (#37783288)
Did I just find a new metric to put on my rental house evaluation checklist? Maybe! Haha
Re:Pythagorean Theorem Found on Clay Tablet 1k Years Older T... by posterboy on Thursday October 05, 2023 @07:26AM (#37777221)
Proof by construction, the Curry-Howard correspondance.