A prominent mathematician from China has brought to light the exceptional accomplishments of ancient Chinese academics, indicating that they had formulated and proven the Pythagorean theorem with impressive brevity and acumen well before the Greek mathematician Euclid’s evidence was recorded.

Zhou Xiangyu, associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, brought attention to these ancient achievements during his address to patrons at the National Science Communication Centre.

In Zhou’s enlightening speech that took place the preceding Friday, he pinpointed the extensive historical roots and profound significance of the mathematical wisdom of past Chinese erudition. Speaking to Science and Technology Daily, Zhou conveyed, “The wealth of ancient Chinese mathematics is immense, marked by its terse expression, yet it holds boundless depth. It presents a plethora of yet-to-be-unearthed scholarly riches.”

The 17-Character Proposition

In a display of remarkable intellectual elegance, Chinese scholars historically demonstrated the Pythagorean theorem—a formula integral to the fabric of geometry and the greater realm of mathematical constructs—in a mere 17 characters. While Western tradition recognizes the theorem through Euclid’s systematized proof in “Elements” from the 4th century BC, Zhou’s exposition hints at an even more ancient origin.

According to Zhou, Chinese texts of yore are replete with concepts that are foundational to the mathematics we understand today, while also being steeped in the essence of Chinese cultural heritage. He is confident that these texts still hold untapped wisdom, suggesting that further exploration could reveal additional mathematical inventions. The prominence given to the ancient Chinese demonstration of the Pythagorean theorem calls into question conventional chronicles of math’s evolution and proudly highlights China’s sustained scholarly tradition.