Babylonian Trigonometry and the Tangent-Secant Theorem: A Mixed Search — E8 Intelligence Research
FINDING: The search results are a mixed bag of educational videos (tangent-secant theorem, trigonometry visualization, golden ratio TEDx) and a physics preprint on hexaquark decay — no direct mathematical paper linking all queried terms. The only substantive mathematical artifact is the Plimpton 322 video by N.J. Wildberger, which discusses Old Babylonian trigonometry. | MATH: Tangent-secant theorem: \\(PT^2 = PA \\cdot PB\\) (where PT is tangent, PA and PB are secant segments). Plimpton 322: 15 rows of Pythagorean triples, e.g., (119, 120, 169), (3367, 3456, 4825), (4601, 4800, 6649) — all satisfying \\(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\\). The arXiv paper (2012.11449) concerns \\(d^*(2380)\\) hexaquark decay properties, not directly geometric. | CONNECTION: Plimpton 322 is strongly linked to base-60 (sexagesimal) mathematics — the Babylonians used base-60, and the tablet's ratios correspond to secant/tangent values in that system. Wildberger's interpretation suggests the tablet encodes exact ratios of sides Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com
Authors
- Andrew Stewart Caldin
Publication Details
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Published
- 2026-09-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22470156
- Primary Topic
- History and Theory of Mathematics
- Type
- preprint