STCC professor and students explain Pythagorean Theorem Day

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – If you thought Dec. 16, 2020, is just another day, think again. It’s Pythagorean Theorem Day, a fun mathematical holiday that comes around when the numbers on the calendar align to form the famous equation.

Pythagorean Theorem Day or Pythagoras Theorem Day is celebrated when the sum of the squares of the first two digits in a date equals the square of the last digit in the date.

Here’s how it applies to 12/16/20: 12 squared (12 x 12) + 16 squared (16 x 16) = 20 squared (20 x 20). The theorem defines the relationship between the sides of a right triangle, but has countless real world applications.

Dr. Reena Randhir serves as director of the STEM Starter Academy at Springfield Technical Community

College, funded by the Department of Higher Education with the goal to create awareness, retain, graduate or transfer more students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers and pathways.

“Pythagoras Theorem Day happens rarely, and it’s exciting!” Randhir said. “It’s a joyous day for everybody in STEM. We memorized the theorem in high school, but now I’m realizing that its applications are extensive, namely in construction, navigation, aeronautics, astronomy, engineering and even music.”

At the STEM Starter Academy, students participate in fun, hands-on learning activities, such as building a suspension bridge and discovering the properties of sound waves through playing musical instruments. (Students currently are participating in remote activities due to the pandemic).

“Several activities that we organized for the students are ingrained in the Pythagorean Theorem,” Randhir said. “One of the beliefs of Pythagoras was also that life’s phenomena and processes can be explained with numbers or equations, and STEM is heavily rooted in mathematical principles.”

Former STCC student Lucas Soares, now a University of Massachusetts mechanical engineering student and mentor and tutor for students in the STCC Starter Academy, recalled how the formula was part of the fabric of so many class projects. For example, students used the theorem to build a wooden suspension bridge.

One of the beliefs of Pythagoras was also that life’s phenomena and processes can be explained with numbers or equations, and STEM is heavily rooted in mathematical principles. Reena Randhir, Director, STEM Starter Academy at STCC

“With a regular bridge, you have a truss system, which are a bunch of triangles used for support, and the way they get the measurements for those triangles for the support system is they use Pythagoras’ Theorem to know what the measurements are going to be,” said Soares, of Ludlow. “Anyone can do it on paper, but it’s fascinating to see it transition into the real world.”

When they constructed the bridge in the summer of 2019, 18 students were able to stand atop the structure. “It’s all thanks to Pythagorean Theorem – the fact that we can use triangles and math to be able to support extra force on the bridge,” Soares said.

Another former student, Emerson Alexander, also a mentor and tutor at the STEM Starter Academy, described how the theorem can be found in sports such as football. “In football, if you know the distance with A squared and B squared then you can find the distance, C squared, that you need for the defender to run at a right angle and catch up with another player to make a tackle,” she explained.

Alexander, who grew up in Hampden, played soccer at STCC and noted the theorem can be used to measure distance when kicking balls. Goalies can calculate how much time they have to stop a ball.

“You won’t really use it in a game, but it’s something that is possible,” said Alexander, who is studying biology at the University of North Carolina.

Professor Randhir said understanding practical applications using formulas like the Pythagorean Theorem can be a fun entry point into STEM academic subjects and careers. In addition, STCC offers free programs over the summer to help prepare high school students for the demands of a STEM college major.  

“Why should we encourage our students to study STEM?” Randhir asked. “These are hard subjects, but it is STEM innovation that pushes humanity to face challenges, solve problems consequently leading to a brighter future. Most of the future high demand and high paying jobs are in STEM related fields. STEM should be offered to the students in a fun and engaging way, which is what we aim to do here at STCC.”

STCC has posted a video featuring interviews with Randhir, Soares and Alexander. Visit stcc.io/ptday.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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