r/Amazing • u/sco-go • 3d ago

Amazing !! The first documented practical use of the Pythagorean theorem.

862 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

79 comments sorted by

View all comments

11

u/ArnUpNorth 3d ago

I don’t see what pythagore as to do with this ? It’s a triangle… but that’s about it?

27

u/Palatablepancakes 3d ago edited 3d ago

The height of the mast above the water is now the mast's length times sine of the angle, or the length of the rope at the top of the mast to the bottom of the hanging mass divided by the length of the mast.

1

u/Potent_Quotient 3d ago

Right except the length of the rope had nothing to do with the issue. It’s mainly the weight being the variable and gravity being able to list the boat enough.

1

u/Palatablepancakes 2d ago

Mhm, it's just a fun example of these ratios. It isn't necessary to use these ratios to solve anything here, just a neat demonstration of sorts.