The ancient diagram is shown by empical proof to be a proof of the Pythagorean theorem.
The “inclinaion of a pyramid” is a principle from the Rhind no. 6 and it is sufficient to prove the Pythagorean Theorem. The “inclination, as defined in the papyrus, is measured in units of “hands.” A “hand” was about 4 inches. The “inclination” is defined to be the number of units by which the inclined plane departs from the vertical for a rise of one cubit, where a cubit is equal to 7 “hands.” An example from the Rhind Papyrus is the following:
Ques. Suppose 360 is the base of a triangle and 250 is its height. What is the inclination?
Ans. The inclination = I (u) =7(u)(180)(1/250) hands or
I(u)=u(180)(1/250) cubits.
From this example, it is easy to see that the “inclination” is actually calculated by comparing the ratio of certain corresponding sides of similar right triangles.
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Reviewed by Sanjay Sonawani (Reader)
Reviewed on January 6, 2004
Basically Pythogorian theory of geomitry was well known to te rest of the world though the documentation and historical proofs are absent. Actually in absence of the knowledge of geomitry there wouldnt be astonishing structures those were built by our ancestors, no matter whether they used "hand" as a measure or thumbnails or even grains for that matter. The thing is, no matter what unit human being preferred to use in the past to apply their knowledge of the geomitry to solve usuale problems they faced, either to build homes or public places (such as in Indus civilisation) they proved equally perfect as we the modern society and science boast of.
Hence this proof you say about only proves that not only the Greeks but rest of the world too knew the fundamentals of mathematical geomitry though the ways to express units were different.
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The symbiotic pattern of evolution is everywhere and allows us a very different and fascinating window into the way symbiotic viruses work, since all viruses are symbiotic, including those involved in our human reproduction.
Hence this proof you say about only proves that not only the Greeks but rest of the world too knew the fundamentals of mathematical geomitry though the ways to express units were different.