Two high school seniors from New Orleans have made a significant breakthrough in mathematics by proving the Pythagorean Theorem using trigonometry. This proof, which had stumped mathematicians for over 2,000 years, was accomplished by Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson at St. Mary's Academy, an all-girls Catholic school.

The students were motivated to tackle the challenge as part of a school-wide math contest that offered a cash prize. The bonus question required them to create a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides (a² + b² = c²).

Despite being aware of the theorem's many proofs, the girls were unaware that a trigonometric proof had not been documented in centuries. "I was motivated because there was a monetary incentive," Ne'Kiya said. Calcea added, "I was like, '$500 is a lot of money. So I would like to at least try.'"

For two months, the seniors dedicated their free time to solving the problem. Their math teacher, Michelle Blouin Williams, initiated the contest and was surprised by their determination. "I wasn't necessarily looking for a solve. I was just looking for some ingenuity," she said.

Calcea and Ne'Kiya's proof, which they titled the "Waffle Cone," involves constructing a series of similar right triangles that create a larger geometric shape. They explained their process in detail, demonstrating their understanding of the theorem and its applications.

Their achievement was recognized at an American Mathematical Society conference in Atlanta, where they presented their work. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to widespread media attention, including a mention from former First Lady Michelle Obama and commendations from local officials.

Ne'Kiya reflected on the significance of their accomplishment, noting, "Probably because we're African American, one. And we're also women. So I think—oh, and our age. Of course our ages probably played a big part."

St. Mary's Academy has a history of empowering young women, particularly African American students, to excel in various fields. The school was founded shortly after the Civil War by an African American nun and continues to support its students through a strong community and alumni network.

Pamela Rogers, the school's president, emphasized the belief that all students can succeed regardless of their background. "We believe all students can succeed, all students can learn. It does not matter the environment that you live in," she said.

Calcea and Ne'Kiya's groundbreaking work not only adds to the body of mathematical knowledge but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of students, particularly young women of color in STEM fields.