Two Black high school students, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, have sent shockwaves through the mathematical community by presenting a groundbreaking proof for the Pythagorean theorem. Their revelation challenges a longstanding belief that this mathematical cornerstone has defied resolution for over two millennia.
At the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference in Georgia on March 18 2023, Johnson and Jackson, both students at St. Mary’s Academy, unveiled their innovative proof, stunning seasoned mathematicians and scholars alike. The Pythagorean theorem, a fundamental principle in trigonometry, elucidates the relationship between the sides of a right-angled triangle through the equation a² + b² = c². Since its inception in ancient Greece, the theorem has remained unassailable, until now.
The crux of their achievement lies in their departure from traditional approaches. Unlike previous attempts marred by circular reasoning, Johnson and Jackson employed the Law of Sines to forge their new pathway to enlightenment. This departure from convention has garnered admiration from the mathematical community, even prompting Cambridge mathematician Sarah Rasmussen to commend their discernment and ingenuity.
However, the road ahead is not without challenges. While their peers and mentors laud their accomplishment, the next step beckons: rigorous academic scrutiny. American Mathematical Society executive director Catherine Roberts urged the duo to subject their findings to the crucible of peer review, a process that demands validation from the most discerning minds in the field.
In an interview with New Orleans television news station WWL, Johnson articulated the significance of their feat, highlighting the rarity of such opportunities for youths like themselves. Their success is a affirmation not only to their intellect but also to the unwavering support of their educators at St. Mary’s Academy. As their journey unfolds, Johnson and Jackson stand at the precipice of mathematical immortality, poised to etch their names alongside the luminaries of history.
