A 3,700-year-old Babylonian clay tablet reveals the oldest known trigonometric table, showing ancient scribes used precise triangle ratios.

Plimpton 322, the tablet in question, is certainly an alluring artifact. It’s a broken piece of clay roughly the size of a postcard. It was filled with four columns of cuneiform numbers around 1800 ...

Some exact trigonometric values are equivalent. For example, \( \frac{1}{√2}\) = \( \frac{√2}{2}\). The denominator has been rationalised. To be successful with exact trigonometric values, especially ...

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Some researchers say the Babylonians invented trigonometry—and ...