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VK3ABK > TECH 26.09.05 19:43l 58 Lines 2333 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 6259_VK3BBS
Read: GUEST DL1LCA OE7FMI
Subj: Re: calculations.
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Sent: 050925/0023Z @:VK3BBS.#MEL.VIC.AUS.OC #:6259 XFBB7.04h Bid:6259_VK3BBS
From: VK3ABK@VK3BBS.#MEL.VIC.AUS.OC
To : TECH@WW
Hello Calculators.
Geoff, VK5KMG, sent a bulletin Titled 'Calculations' asking for help with a
triangular problem.
> Hi there, I want to work out the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle.
I have seen one reply, from Andy, GM7HUD, (there must have been others!)
and this would solve Geoff's problem. It may be of interest to know that
this apparently simple theorem, named after Pythagorus, is not so simple.
A mathematician, (which I am not) would demand proof that there is actually
an answer to 'every' example of h^2 = b^2 + p^2. That is, does this apply
to 'all' examples of three sides of a right angle triangle. We know from
our limited experience that a 'correct' answer can be found and tested.
But a mathematician will need 'a proof'! He would say that even if you try
a thousand combinations, the next one may not yield a correct answer.
He is not being difficult, just rigorously accurate. He would also be very
sceptical about someone saying that there are 'no' integer answers to
the similar equation, h^3 = b^3 + p^3. There is not! But proof is needed.
About 365 years ago, a fellow called Pierre de Fermat claimed he had found
a proof of the above equation (not being so). But his proof was lost or
hidden and although others had tried, it was only in 1995 that an English
mathematician had a proof published after years of continual effort, and
a lifetime of obsession with the problem. His name is Andrew Wiles.
A book by Simon Singh, titled, 'Fermat's Last Theorem', records the history
and discovery of this proof. It reads like a detective story and is one of
the most exciting books I have read. Right to the end, you are kept in
suspense, and will most likely come to regard mathematics in a new light.
Also by Simon Singh, (PhD. in Particle Phys.) look for 'The Code Book' The
Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. And also,
'Big Bang' subtitled, The most important scientific discovery of all time and
why you need to know about it. (This author is good, and seems to know it!)
Joke... Dad was painting the house, standing on a ladder against the wall.
One of his kids saw this and said to his said to his mates...
"Hey, look at the square on the hypotenuse" !
And no proof was needed. :-)
73. Dick. VK3ABK.
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