Math in the Real World: Jobs That Use Pythagoras' Theorem

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November 14, 2023

Chrinnah Torres

10th Grade

John F. Kennedy High School



Introduction


From 1900 B.C. up until the present, the 21st century, the jobs associated with finding the missing length of a right triangle have had abundant amounts of impact on our world. Pythagoras’ Theorem is introduced in Algebra 1. It is also known as the Pythagorean Theorem when being taught in school. A bunch of major roles use this theorem for their everyday workspace. For example agriculture, aviation, construction, and so on. These jobs using Pythagoras’ Theorem have benefited our society. Without this discovery, our universe wouldn’t have evolved as it is today and stay as an ennui.

History of Pythagoras' Theorem


Before the theorem was named after a significant father, it was designed by the Babylonians. This theorem was mainly used by Babylonians to survey their land. This group started by using clay tablets to jot down their measurements for constructing buildings. Si.427 is a 3,700-year-old artifact preserved from the Babylonians as a clay tablet. Archaeologists have claimed that Si.427 is the oldest example of Applied Geometry. With the exposition being off from writing on clay tablets, it was the start of this evolution. However, it wasn’t as well known until a specific Greek came into the picture, Pythagoras.

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On the Greek island of Samos, Pythagoras entered the world. From 560 B.C. to 495 B.C., Pythagoras spent his years becoming an important figure in our present. According to students who have written about him, he was a mathematician, philosopher, speaker, teacher, musician, and religious leader. He was the individual who properly explained each aspect of this method. Essentially, he became the expert who is credited for this fundamental and was named after him. Not only did Pythagoras share his studies of the theorem, but he also discovered the translation of musical sounds to mathematical equations and ratios; the reason string instruments have certain sizes of string. Including finding out that the Earth isn’t flat but spherical, rotates around the biggest star, and many more.

Pythagoras' Theorem in Areas


People who do agricultural activities for a living, such as gardening in all forms, may have used Pythagoras' Theorem. When looking out into a field or a planter box to take; no matter the size, you will have to measure it if you want perfection. Agriculturalists, speaking of farmers, florists, and environmentalists, among others, have all encountered this during the process. These occupations dealing with planting on a certain surface would have to draw lines and determine the amount they are willing to take over. This is where Pythagoras' Theorem comes into play. Agriculturalists are in charge of taking care of the efficacious solutions and methods of plants. Outcomes of this can include an increase in clean air and water.  

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Pythagoras' Theorem is a considerable assistance to aviation. People who are a part of the aviation industry can navigate more advanced. If you’re using Pythagoras' Theorem as an aviation worker, you can find the altitude, magnitude, and ground distance. Finding the distance and other measurements can be handy. Not only in aviation but also in other areas of the working world, remarkably including construction.

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Shelter and transportation play significant roles in our existence. Workers who partake in construction, thus architects, surveyors, civil engineers, and more have searched the length and breadth of their creation. With Pythagoras' Theorem, inventions from construction were on their way. Surveyors have created maps by determining the distances and heights of points. During the architects’ designing process, calculations of the heights of buildings and lengths of walls are from Pythagoras' Theorem. The theorem can find the slope of a roof, the size and shape of a building, and so forth.

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Over time, Pythagoras’ discovery has unleashed a pack of impressions. From surveying land on clay tablets to inventing the tracking of locations, the GPS, Global Positioning System. Careers that play a part in the Pythagorean Theorem have led to great possibilities and results. It has led us to a well-lived life. No one can imagine what our world would be like without Pythagoras’ Theorem. 

Reference Sources

Avila, Luis, and Mounir Ben Ghalia. “Using the Pythagorean Theorem to Catch the Perfect Radio Waves! - Activity.” TeachEngineering.Org, 17 June 2022, 

www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/utpa_perfectwaves_activity1

Blakeley, Sasha, and Christopher Muscato. “Pythagoras | Biography, Facts & Impact | Study.Com.” Study.Com, 9 Apr. 2022, 

https://study.com/learn/lesson/pythagoras-history-facts.html

Bradley, Steve. “Jobs That Use the Pythagorean Theorem.” Career Trend, 28 Dec. 2018, 

https://careertrend.com/info-8466810-jobs-use-pythagorean-theorem.html

News Staff of Sci.News. “3,700-Year-Old Babylonian Clay Tablet Is Earliest Known ... - Sci.News.” Sci.News, 21 Aug. 2021, 

www.sci.news/archaeology/si-427-babylonian-clay-tablet-09934.html

Raveendran, Byju. “Pythagoras Theorem - Formula, Proof, Examples, Applications.” BYJUS, BYJU’S, 13 June 2023, 

https://byjus.com/maths/pythagoras-theorem/

Zamboni, Jon. “Real Life Uses of the Pythagorean Theorem.” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, 


https://sciencing.com/real-life-uses-pythagorean-theorem-8247514.html