Pythagorean Lifespans
Calderón de la Barca was born in 40², lived 9² years and died in 41² (a Pythagorean triple); a 'chosen one' with cubes would disprove Fermat's Last Theorem.
Use this cartoon
Free for classrooms, worksheets, slides and other non-commercial use under CC BY-NC 4.0, with credit to Ben Orlin.
Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2022-01-01-pythagorean-lifespans/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)Transcript
You (XXXX–XXXX): "non-Pythagorean life: born after 44², will probably die between 45² and 46²"
Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–1681): "Pythagorean triple crown winner: born in 40², lived to 9², died in 41²"
The Chosen One (????–????): "to be born in x³, live to y³, die in z³, and disprove Fermat-Wiles in the process"