BENGALURU: This independence day was celebrated with much fervour throughout the country. For math lovers, August 15, 2017, was not only 70 years of independence but also a peculiar date that comes only after 100 years – the Pythagorean Triplet. On this occasion, Bengaluru will be witnessing its first math fest on August 19.
“We want to showcase the many ways in which the fear of mathematics can be conquered and what better day when our independence day itself has an interesting mathematical coincidence,” says Manan Khurma, founder and CEO of Cuemath.
Cuemath is a home-based math learning programme established in 2013. Math fest is the new idea conceptualised and initiated this year. Though there are over 2,000 centres across the country, math fest is being organised only in Bengaluru as a pilot initiative.
The idea for the fest came about when the institution realised the significance of this independence date and saw it as an opportunity to host an event that would make children overcome fear of math in the saw way India overcame British rule, says a spokesperson of Cuemath.
Significance of 15-8-2017
This independence date shares its position with Pythagoras Theorem, a theorem named after a Greek mathematician and philosopher, Pythagoras. In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem is a fundamental relation in Euclidean geometry.
So how does the date qualify to this theorem? Organisers break it down: 15/8/17. When these numbers are placed in the Pythagorean Theorem, the following takes place:
a 2 + b 2 = c 2
15 2 + 8 2 = 289
17 2 = 289
So, 15 2 + 8 2 = 17 2
Some of the other popular dates in mathematics include March 14 - Pi Approximation Day, November 23 - Fibonacci Day and Square Root Day. This fest is open to all age groups. “This Saturday, we will overcome fear of math with interesting games and puzzles,” adds Manan Khurma.