Here’s How Two New Orleans Teenagers Found a New Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
An inspirational example of how elementary math is open to everyone
Recently, two teenage girls — Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson — gave a presentation to the American Mathematical Society where they demonstrated a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem. Their proof has caused quite a stir.

One reason for the stir delights me and makes me incredibly happy as a teacher of mathematics. By all accounts, these two teenage math students are the exact opposite of the majority of the math establishment. They are female, they are African-American, and they come from an area which is not particularly renowned for producing high academic achievers. This is just an awesome turn of events and one which should inspire anyone — no matter what their gender, ethnic or socio-demographic background — that excellence in your chosen field of study is always attainable if you have enough joy and passion for what you do.

Another reason for the stir is that the proof these young trailblazers have proposed might make a few established mathematicians eat their words.

This is because their proof uses trigonometry.