Bringing Geometry Back to the Table: Exploring the Ancient Idea of Scissors Congruence
Today, scientists have discovered a new method of proving the ancient geometric idea of “scissors congruence”–the notion that two figures are congruent if they can be cut into a finite number of pieces and rearranged to make the other. This new method of proof, developed by mathematicians at the University of California, Berkeley, has implications far beyond the realm of geometry. It can be used to prove other mathematical theorems, including the famous “Four Color Theorem,” which states that any given map can be colored using no more than four colors. Furthermore, the researchers believe that their technique could be used to prove theorems in other branches of mathematics, such as algebra and topology. This new, more efficient approach to proving theorems is an exciting development for mathematicians all over the world.
source: Phys.org