From Pythagoras to Einstein

One of the best known theorems is the Pythagorean theorem which states that A squared = B squared + C squared for a right triangle where A is the length of the hypotenuse and B and C are the lengths of the other two sides. It turns out that if you take that triangle and pivot it into a third dimension the equations still holds with ‘D’ (the length of the side into the third dimension) squared being added into the original equation. The problem with continuing this process into the fourth dimension is that the original dimensions are measured in meters whereas the fourth dimension is time and is measured in seconds. Einstein was able to solve this problem by creating the ‘Einstein Hypotenuse’ which included distance, time, energy and momentum. When his new equation is written down with motion being set to zero the result is…..E = mcc !!!

(The Great Courses – Superstring Theory)

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