Mathematical Treasure: James A. Garfield's Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem

[smacktoward]

https://www.maa.org/press/periodicals/convergence/mathematical-treasure-james-a-garfields-proof-of-the-pythagorean-theorem

[dharmon]

If the second paragraph of "A Short Biography" is at all interesting, then you should definitely read The Destiny of the Republic.

It covers Garfield's unexpected rise to president, his assassination, Bell's attempt to save him, the nutter who shot him, and more.

For me it was also an interesting coverage of a time period I knew basically nothing about, immediately after reconstruction.

[geevi]

Actually an equally simple proof (if not simpler IMHO) was known many 1000s of years ago. See http://www.geom.uiuc.edu/~demo5337/Group3/Bhaskara.html

[ptah → geevi]

I want to know more about bhaskara