DID YOU KNOW....

Did you know that an alternate to the Pythagorean Theorem was found in an ancient Tamil poem?

Even though Pythagorean Theorem was started by a Greek Mathematician, ancient Tamil literature also mentioned an alternate version of the Pythagorean theorem. The Tamil version of the Pythagorean theorem is called the Bodhaiyannaar theory, and states the following:

"ஓடிய நீளந்தன்னை ஓரெட்டு கூறதாக்கி

கூற்றிலே ஒன்று தள்ளி குன்றத்தில் பாதி சேர்த்தால்

வருவது கர்ணம் தானே "

The English translation of the above says, "Divide the longer side into 8 equal parts and remove one part from it. Then if you add half of the other side to that, you will get the hypotenuse "

For example

a = 6; b = 8; Find out C which is the hypotenuse.

Pythagoras theorem படி

c² = 6² + 8²

= 36 + 64 = 100

C = 10

Now let's apply the rule specified in Tamil literature to find the hypotenuse,

Let divide the longer side that makes the right angle by 8, then we have

(1/8)*8 = 1

Subtract this from the longer side that makes the right angle triangle , then we will have

8 - 1 = 7

Now add the half of the sorter side that makes the right angle , to the above calculation then we have

7 + (6/2) = 10, which is the hypotenuse.

Remember this way of calculating the hypotenuse only works for Integer numbers. If you try to use it for decimal lengths, then the round errors won't yield an accurate number.

This rule has been used by the ancient Tamil kings in India to build architecturally challenging temple structures.