Explore String Theory & General Relativity @ Caltech

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The discussion centers on the attribution of the Pythagorean theorem, with a focus on a page that incorrectly credits Archimedes instead of Pythagoras. It highlights the concept of the "flat" or "Euclidean metric" in relation to the theorem. Participants express curiosity about the source of the quote and the implications of misattribution in educational contexts. The conversation also touches on various theoretical physics topics and resources available on the linked website. Overall, the importance of accurate historical attribution in mathematics and physics is emphasized.
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Short but interesting descriptions of several subjects, e.g. string theory and general relativity.

http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/patricia/index.html
 
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Are you talking about the page that says:
For example, Archimedes' rule tells us that the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of two sides. That rule actually defines a space metric called the "flat" metric or the "Euclidean metric" in two space dimensions.

'Interesting' is all I can say.
 
Where'd you see that quote? The pages I skimmed attributed the pythagorean theorem to Pythagoras.
 
You go to 'Theoretical Physics Fun', then 'Solve The Einstein Equations Yourself', then 'Solving Einstein's Equation in Three Dimensions', then 'What Is the Spacetime Geometry?', then 'A Few key concepts for the brave.

In other words, http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/patricia/test/Einstein33.html .

And do note not only the pfact the theorem is attributed to the wrong person, but what it actually says here... I myself have never seen THIS in action: 'hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of two sides'.
 
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comparing a flat solar panel of area 2π r² and a hemisphere of the same area, the hemispherical solar panel would only occupy the area π r² of while the flat panel would occupy an entire 2π r² of land. wouldn't the hemispherical version have the same area of panel exposed to the sun, occupy less land space and can therefore increase the number of panels one land can have fitted? this would increase the power output proportionally as well. when I searched it up I wasn't satisfied with...

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