Ne’Kiya Jackson and Calcea Johnson, two high school students from Louisiana, made headlines by proving the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry, a method previously deemed impossible due to circular reasoning. Their journey began with a high school math contest, where they were challenged to find a new proof for the theorem. Encouraged by a volunteer at their school, they presented their findings at the American Mathematical Society’s Southeastern Sectional conference in 2023, becoming the youngest presenters at the event.
Their proof, along with nine additional ones, was published in the American Mathematical Monthly. This achievement has not only brought them recognition but also highlighted the importance of fresh perspectives in mathematics. Their work has been praised for avoiding circular reasoning, a common pitfall in trigonometric proofs of the Pythagorean theorem12.
Jackson and Johnson’s success has inspired many, particularly young women and women of color, showing that significant contributions to STEM fields can come from unexpected places. They are now college students, with Jackson pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy and Johnson studying environmental engineering.
They were also interviewed on “60 Minutes” and received a shout-out from Michelle Obama!
