Is it true that pythagoras stole the theorem off someone else?
Evidence of the theorem can be traced far back into Egyptian history with the help of the Rhind Papyrus(1788-1580 BC). The Rhind Papyrus itself claims to be a copy of an earlier work, possibly dating as far back as 2000 BC. The use of the 3-4-5 triangles(9+16=25) to construct perfect right angles, indeed seems to have been a very common practice, long ago. Unfortunately, little information predates the Greeks, so this will probably remain another mystery of the Egyptians. Traditionally, however, the theorem has been credited[in western culture] to Pythagoras of Samos. The legend has it that he was so excited by its proof that he sacrificed a bull for the occasion, even though Pythagoreans were against animal sacrifice. Unfortunately, there are only legends. The Pythagorean School, which gets its name from its founder, was a secret cult. They regarded their knowledge as something to be kept from all outsiders. Thus, they did not write things down until the cult began to lose prominence
