Black Girl Magic took over in Louisiana as Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Johnson cracked a math problem that had stumped scholars for ages.
Both girls from Louisiana published a study proving the Pythagorean Theorem using trigonometry. Johnson and Jackson’s work challenges traditional approaches and offers new perspectives.
In December 2022, a $500 prize for any student who can solve a math problem by using trigonometry to establish a new way of the Pythagorean theorem. However, the school was certain no student would solve this problem, until they encountered Johnson and Jackson.
A volunteer from their former school, St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, urged the high schoolers to submit their proof to a professional conference.
A new way of solving the Pythagorean Theorem
Several mathematicians believed that trigonometry could not solve the Pythagorean Theorem due to the use of the same formula. Johnson and Jackson approached the Pythagorean Theorem at a different angle by using the Law of Sines.
After the young scholars published their proofs, they started working on past proofs, taking it a step further than former mathematicians. Through this idea, it established a breakthrough for Johnson and Jackson, as they were able to develop additional proofs.
In March 2023, Johnson and Jackson went to the American Mathematical Society’s Southeastern Selection Conference, were they became the youngest presenters and attracted attention from major media outlets. The young women received continuous accolades, including a feature on 60 Minutes and the keys to New Orleans.
Publication of the Article
Countless months of research and studying, even working on holidays, but their hard work and dedication finally paid off.
At the American Mathematical Society in 2023, the girls showcased their proof, yet it was still pending review. A year later, the young women have continued to defy odds by announcing their new findings with adding additional proofs of the theorem.
The article titled, “Five or Ten New Proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem” was received in February and accepted in May. However, it wasn’t until last week that the article was published online.
The article focuses on the Pythagorean Theorem, including five trigonometric proofs and methods that support five more. Furthermore, it goes into a deep understanding to explain each proof with examples and a step breakdown.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell honors the black scholars
In a social media post, the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, showed high praise for both girls and their groundbreaking accomplishments.
Cantrell met Johnson and Jackson to present them with the keys to the city. She thanked them for, “challenging [themselves] and embracing the opportunity to learn something new and grow!”
Johnson attends Louisiana State University, where she studies environmental engineering, and Jackson majors in pharmacology at Xavier University of Louisiana. Both young women exemplify black girl magic, proving to young girls that the sky is the limit.
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