Hippasus Arning: The Man Who Discovered the Irrationality of √2

Hippasus Arning, an unsung hero of the ancient world, made a groundbreaking discovery that would forever alter the course of mathematics. He was the first to prove that the square root of 2 is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed as a fraction of two whole numbers.

Hippasus's discovery was met with disbelief and skepticism by his contemporaries. The concept of an irrational number was simply too radical for their minds to comprehend. In fact, the discovery is said to have caused such a stir that Hippasus was eventually banished from his society for daring to challenge the prevailing dogma.

Despite the initial backlash, Hippasus's discovery eventually gained acceptance and became a cornerstone of mathematics. It opened up new avenues of exploration and paved the way for the development of calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematical fields.

• Hippasus's proof was based on a simple but elegant argument. He showed that if √2 were rational, then it could be expressed as a fraction of two whole numbers, a/b. However, he then went on to prove that this leads to a contradiction, demonstrating that √2 must be irrational.

Hippasus's discovery not only expanded our understanding of mathematics but also had a profound impact on the development of science and philosophy. It challenged the prevailing belief that the world was based on simple, rational numbers and opened up the possibility for more complex and dynamic explanations of the universe.

Today, Hippasus Arning is remembered as one of the greatest mathematicians of antiquity. His discovery of the irrationality of √2 is a testament to his brilliance and his willingness to challenge the established norms. His legacy continues to inspire mathematicians and scientists to this day.