Teens surprise math world with Pythagorean Theorem trigonometry proof | 60 Minutes

A high school teacher didn’t expect a solution when she set a 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem problem in front of her students. Then Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson stepped up to the challenge.

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[pardox]

It wasn't until this video that I realized that they didn't work together on their proofs. I had no idea they each had their own separate proofs. Which makes it even more amazing. Well done, ladies!

[makearunat]

"I wasn't necessarily looking for a solve... I was looking for some ingenuity" we need more teachers who think like this

[Obj]

The 2 girls found proof using trigonometry, went on for 5 additional proofs, and both say they are NOT math geniuses. So SWEET of them!!👋👋👋

[AeOdin]

this is an example of an educational system that is educating

[Another_Broke_Musician]

17 years. 100% graduation. 100% college acceptance. I've never heard stats like that. Incredible kids. Incredible staff. The kind of story that keeps hope alive

[Addsiqishrb]

100% graduation and 100% college acceptance is absolutely amazing. Please bring these standards to all schools in America! Congrats!

[ceciliaharrison]

Wow! As a black, 71year old woman, Math major, I am so proud of these young ladies. Thank you for this story. It is so needed. Watched the video on May 16, 2024.

[TeePetersen]

Modest, humble young women who were not afraid to take on a challenge which was supposed to be impossible. I love how they were taught in this school to aim high and expect to attain a result. We need more schools geared toward teaching this way and giving the encouragement needed to help students learn they can achieve more than they thought possible.

[roadkillontheweb]

Not only did they find a solution, they found two separate solutions. What an accomplishment.

[dpascha]

That was my high school!!!! We were the 100th graduating class in 1995!!!! So proud of you

[brown]

As a PhD statistician with an undergraduate degree in mathematics, I can say that the mindset that they used to come up with these proofs is exactly the mindset that makes a good mathematician. It's not about being a genius, it's about being patient, persistent, and creative. That said, these skills will also help them in the fields of pharmacology and environmental engineering that they are choosing to pursue. There is no reason for them to go into math if that isn't where their main passion is, I am just saying that they definitely could do it if they wanted to.

[Dres_Anatomy]

I felt like a *PROUD FATHER* watching this!! 👏🏿 I love the standards & rules the school set for them. It carries a precedence of normalcy. The fact that they went to universities & pursued other passions shows how Truly _GIFTED_ their minds are 💡

[michaelkeister]

I don't know what is more impressive, the proofs, the humility of the students, or the 100% graduation and college placement. The entire national public education system needs to figure how to apply this approach to the education of all of our nation's children. Truly remarkable!

[alanmcrae]

Albert Einstein: "“It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.”

The discipline to work on a problem for as long as it takes to solve it is the best gift a school can give to its students.

These two students worked on the problem for several months, which is a testimony to their mental perseverance. Most people, even genius level people, will eventually put down a really hard problem after struggling to solve it for awhile.

Congrats on cracking a problem thought to be unsolvable! Very impressive accomplishment...

[slmmgurl]

This made me cry because I was told I would never go to college. I proved my counselor wrong and earned two BAs and one MA. Some people can really ruin others. I am happy to see the support system these students have.

[Funnyguy]

I haven't cried this much from one video for as long as I can remember...beyond proud of these humble ladies, wishing both of them the best of futures!

[LisaMT]

Beautiful story. I choked up when they said for 17 years the school has had 100% graduation rate, and 100% of the students were accepted to college.

[michaelclerkin]

That Teacher is a gift. She gave a very difficult problem but did not underestimate her students ability to come up elaborate solutions.

[liam-rbeb]

Shoutout to the math teacher for challenging the students - Not necessarily expecting a right answer, but some ingenuity!

[sharonloomis]

How I wish every school around the world would follow the example of this school's teaching style.