Two High School Teens Crack a Centuries-Old Math Mystery with Their Groundbreaking Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
For centuries, the Pythagorean theorem has been one of the cornerstones of mathematics, taught in classrooms around the world as a fundamental truth. The theorem itself is simple in statement—describing the relationship between the sides of a right triangle—but proving it in every possible way has fascinated and challenged mathematicians for generations. Over the years, countless proofs have been discovered, but one approach using trigonometry had remained unsolved, leaving even the brightest mathematical minds stumped. That is, until two remarkable teenagers stepped forward and accomplished what many thought was impossible.
Meet Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, two high school students from New Orleans who stunned the math community with a trigonometric proof of the Pythagorean theorem. Both young women are part of St. Mary’s Academy, a historically Black Catholic school that has long emphasized the importance of discipline, academic excellence, and pushing boundaries. When they presented their findings at the American Mathematical Society’s annual meeting in 2023, the audience was left in awe. These weren’t university professors or doctoral candidates. They were teenagers, bringing fresh eyes to a problem that had lingered for centuries.
Their journey began in a school environment that encouraged curiosity and resilience. Teachers at St. Mary’s always pushed students to think critically, and both Calcea and Ne’Kiya had already developed strong interests in STEM fields. But when their math class introduced them to the longstanding question of whether the Pythagorean theorem could be proven purely with trigonometry, they took it as a challenge. Hours of trial and error, sketching diagrams, manipulating equations, and refining their logic finally paid off when they realized they had crafted a proof that held up to scrutiny.
What makes their discovery so significant is not just the proof itself, but what it represents. Math is often seen as rigid, with all the big breakthroughs already made by geniuses long dead. But Calcea and Ne’Kiya’s achievement shows that innovation can come from anyone, anywhere, at any age. Their work reminds us that progress is not locked in the past but is happening in classrooms and communities all over the world, fueled by determination and creativity.
News of their proof spread quickly, and soon they became an inspiration far beyond their school walls. Educators celebrated them as proof of the power of nurturing young talent. Parents shared their story as a testament to what happens when children are given opportunities to thrive. And countless students, especially young girls and students of color, looked at Calcea and Ne’Kiya and saw themselves—capable of reaching heights they may have once thought were reserved for others.
Of course, their journey doesn’t end here. Both teens have ambitions that go beyond this single accomplishment. Calcea has expressed interest in pursuing environmental engineering, while Ne’Kiya is drawn toward careers that allow her to solve big problems and impact the world in meaningful ways. No matter where life takes them, this chapter in their story will always be remembered as the moment they made history.
The Pythagorean theorem might have been taught in classrooms for thousands of years, but these two young women breathed new life into it, proving that curiosity, perseverance, and courage can unlock even the most stubborn mysteries. Their success isn’t just about math—it’s about possibility. It’s about challenging the limits that the world places on us, and daring to believe that we can do more.
In a world where headlines often focus on negativity, the story of Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson is a shining reminder of brilliance, hope, and the power of young minds. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from textbooks or lecture halls, but from students who simply refuse to give up.
