WHO IS PYTHAGORAS?
You've probably heard the name before, right?
Well...Today you're going to find out who he is and why his name is so important in mathematics.
Introduction
Pythagoras made many contributions to Mathematics and Physics but the contribution that we will be exploring is: The Pythagorean Theorem.
The Pythagorean Theorem is a formula that can be used only when working with right triangles. It can help you find the length of any side of a right triangle. Pythagoras wasn't the first to discover this formula. The Babylonians and the Chinese worked with this concept years before Pythagoras. Pythagoras gets most of the credit for it though because he was the first to prove why it works. Several other proofs came about after his.
So, are you ready to learn something new?!!! Well take out a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and lets get started!!!!
Well...Today you're going to find out who he is and why his name is so important in mathematics.
Introduction
Pythagoras made many contributions to Mathematics and Physics but the contribution that we will be exploring is: The Pythagorean Theorem.
The Pythagorean Theorem is a formula that can be used only when working with right triangles. It can help you find the length of any side of a right triangle. Pythagoras wasn't the first to discover this formula. The Babylonians and the Chinese worked with this concept years before Pythagoras. Pythagoras gets most of the credit for it though because he was the first to prove why it works. Several other proofs came about after his.
So, are you ready to learn something new?!!! Well take out a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and lets get started!!!!
Task
First, lets find out who Pythagoras was, where he came from, what he did for a living, etc.
On your sheet of paper, answer the following questions. The answers can be found by looking through the internet or by clicking here:
- Pythagarus
- Pythagarus of Samos
- More Pythagarus
- One More Pythagarus Link :)
1. Where was Pythagoras born? Did he live there all his life?
2. What three pursuits did Pythagoras dedicate his life to?
3. In what year was Pythagoras born? How old was he when he died?
4. How did Pythagoras die?
5. According to Pythagoras, how could the world be understood?
6. What are some of his most famous mathematical contributions?
7. In what other science did the make a contribution? What did he state?
8. Pythagoras had several rules for his members. What were some of them?
9. What are the 5 basic beliefs of the Pythagoreans?
Now, lets explore The Pythagorean Theorem. You may answer the following questions by searching the internet or by clicking here: Pythagorean Theorem.
10. What exactly does the Pythagorean Theorem state? What is the formula that represents this?
11. What does the a^2, the b^2, and the c^2 represent? (Hint: Square)
12. If you haven't done so already, click on "Pythagorean Theorem" just above. Do the puzzle that's available there and explain what a^2 + b^2 = c^2 actually means in regards to the squares.
13. Click on "Pythagorean Theorem" again and go to "solve real problems" or click here: Problems. Do "throwing the runner out" and "breaking and entering" only. This will help you see how the theorem is applied to real world situations. You can check your answers.
Conclusion
To conclude this exploration of the Pythagorean Theorem, please answer a few more questions to make sure you grasped some important concepts.
14. Can the Pythagorean Theorem be applied to any triangle?
15. Was Pythagoras the first to discover the concept of a^2 + b^2 = c^2?
16. The theorem can only be used with triangles, true or false. Explain your answer.
**Congratulations!!! You have just explored the life and discoveries of Pythagoras. Now you can tell all your friends who Pythagoras is and what he did.
On your sheet of paper, answer the following questions. The answers can be found by looking through the internet or by clicking here:
- Pythagarus
- Pythagarus of Samos
- More Pythagarus
- One More Pythagarus Link :)
1. Where was Pythagoras born? Did he live there all his life?
2. What three pursuits did Pythagoras dedicate his life to?
3. In what year was Pythagoras born? How old was he when he died?
4. How did Pythagoras die?
5. According to Pythagoras, how could the world be understood?
6. What are some of his most famous mathematical contributions?
7. In what other science did the make a contribution? What did he state?
8. Pythagoras had several rules for his members. What were some of them?
9. What are the 5 basic beliefs of the Pythagoreans?
Now, lets explore The Pythagorean Theorem. You may answer the following questions by searching the internet or by clicking here: Pythagorean Theorem.
10. What exactly does the Pythagorean Theorem state? What is the formula that represents this?
11. What does the a^2, the b^2, and the c^2 represent? (Hint: Square)
12. If you haven't done so already, click on "Pythagorean Theorem" just above. Do the puzzle that's available there and explain what a^2 + b^2 = c^2 actually means in regards to the squares.
13. Click on "Pythagorean Theorem" again and go to "solve real problems" or click here: Problems. Do "throwing the runner out" and "breaking and entering" only. This will help you see how the theorem is applied to real world situations. You can check your answers.
Conclusion
To conclude this exploration of the Pythagorean Theorem, please answer a few more questions to make sure you grasped some important concepts.
14. Can the Pythagorean Theorem be applied to any triangle?
15. Was Pythagoras the first to discover the concept of a^2 + b^2 = c^2?
16. The theorem can only be used with triangles, true or false. Explain your answer.
**Congratulations!!! You have just explored the life and discoveries of Pythagoras. Now you can tell all your friends who Pythagoras is and what he did.