An ancient theory may no longer be set in stone. Two American teenagers have challenged centuries-old math conventions by developing new trigonometric proofs for the Pythagorean theorem, stirring excitement in the academic world.
Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson were high school seniors in 2022 when they discovered these new proofs, which have rocked the math community. Both grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended St. Mary’s Academy—a private K-12 school—when they made their initial discovery. Their passion for mathematics shines through their work to uncover new proofs for a theorem attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras over 2,500 years ago.
Johnson and Jackson took a unique approach to solving the Pythagorean theorem through trigonometry. Until now, mathematicians considered proving the theorem this way impossible without circular logic, making their trigonometric approach remarkable. According to American Mathematical Monthly, the pair has not only created one proof but developed five. Mathematicians worldwide are thrilled, as few appreciate the seemingly impossible quite like they do. Their discovery also reminds the academic community that young minds are among our greatest resources for learning and innovation.
The STEM community has been both surprised and delighted by the new method and its proofs, as well as by the enthusiasm young scholars continue to show for STEM fields. STEM is a community that embraces innovation, and nothing brings more joy than seeing the next generation making fresh, exciting contributions.
Educational institutions serving young people are certainly seizing this opportunity to celebrate mathematics. Schools are embracing Johnson and Jackson’s work to foster curiosity and engagement among young learners. The young women’s own alma mater even received a $1 million donation from Charles Barkley to continue cultivating an environment of innovation. The funding also supports student visits to colleges, helping them imagine their own academic futures.
The inspirational impact of two young women making such a major discovery has the potential to draw more young people into STEM-related studies and careers. Fresh perspectives are essential to fields that depend on innovation and new approaches to age-old questions; mathematics, after all, has been around since early humans first began exploring the world. That Johnson and Jackson made their groundbreaking discovery while still in high school proves that anything is possible with hard work and self-belief.
We congratulate Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson on their incredible achievements and look forward to their continued success. Young scholars everywhere are lucky to have such remarkable women to look up to as they dream about their own futures in STEM.
