Who was pitagoras ???????????

History · Middle School · Wed Jan 13 2021

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Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived from about 570 BC to 495 BC. He is best known for the Pythagorean theorem, which bears his name, although it's worth noting that there's been some debate over whether he was the first to discover the theorem itself or whether it was already known to Babylonians and Indians long before him.

According to historical accounts, Pythagoras was born on the island of Samos and later founded his own religious movement known as Pythagoreanism. His followers, Pythagoreans, were not only focused on mathematical discoveries but were also dedicated to religious, ethical, and philosophical studies. Pythagoras and his followers believed in the transmigration of souls (reincarnation), the harmony of the spheres (the idea that celestial bodies move according to mathematical equations, creating a musical harmony), and that numbers and mathematical relations had a special, almost mystical significance.

Extra: Pythagoreanism had a strong influence on later philosophical and mathematical thought. The group practiced a lifestyle that included specific dietary restrictions, communal living, and a focus on purity and self-discipline. They made advancements in mathematical theory, which have had a lasting impact on modern mathematics and science.

The Pythagorean theorem, for which Pythagoras is most famous, states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. This can be expressed as the equation a² + b² = c². This theorem has a multitude of applications in various fields, including architecture, engineering, and physics.

Not only did Pythagoras and his followers delve into theoretical mathematics, but they also believed in the importance of numbers in their philosophical and religious practices. They regarded certain numbers as sacred, and they often used numerical relationships to understand the universe and their place in it.

Pythagoras's influence on other thinkers was profound, and through the work of philosophers like Plato, his ideas continued to shape Western thought for centuries. Despite the legendary status of Pythagoras, very little concrete information is known about his life, and most of what we know comes from writings that emerged hundreds of years after his death.

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