In their groundbreaking work, the authors presented five methods to prove the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry, along with an additional technique that leads to five more proofs.

The challenge in their proof stemmed from the fact that trigonometry relies on the Pythagorean theorem as a fundamental assumption, which typically raises concerns about circular reasoning.

After presenting their findings at an American Mathematical Society meeting in March 2023, they faced challenges in publishing their work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Their hard work and perseverance were recognized with accolades, including keys to the city of New Orleans and personal praise from former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The journey of Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson began during a high school math competition at St. Mary's Academy of New Orleans in 2022, where they were motivated by a $500 prize to create a new proof of the Pythagorean theorem.

Their published paper, which appeared in the American Mathematical Monthly, showcases a total of ten proofs, with nine being entirely new to the academic community.

Remarkably, Johnson and Jackson are only the third and fourth individuals to prove the theorem using trigonometry without falling into circular reasoning, a feat previously accomplished only twice by professional mathematicians.

However, by utilizing the Law of Sines, they successfully navigated this issue, demonstrating a fresh approach to the theorem.

Mathematician Álvaro Lozano-Robledo praised their work, suggesting it could inspire further mathematical exploration and generalization of their ideas.

Currently, Johnson is studying environmental engineering at Louisiana State University, while Jackson is pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Both researchers expressed pride in their achievements, emphasizing their role as positive influences for young women in STEM fields.

Johnson highlighted the growing interest in STEM among young people, reflecting positively on their contributions to mathematics.