How did Pythagoras get his ideas for his theorem? - Answers

Pythagoras likely developed his ideas for the theorem that bears his name through a combination of observation and mathematical reasoning. He and his followers, known as the Pythagoreans, studied geometric shapes and relationships, particularly in the context of right triangles. Their exploration of numerical relationships, ratios, and the properties of triangles helped them formulate the theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. This foundational concept was rooted in their broader philosophical beliefs about the harmony and order of the universe.