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Pythagoras gained an interest in mathematics, astronomy and travelling, from Thales. However most of what he was taught was by Anazimander, Thales pupil, whose ideas left an impression on Pythagoras. There is not much that is known about the actual work of Pythagoras and the secrecy of his community makes it difficult to distinguish between his work and the work of the community. The work of the Pythagoreans was great and their contributions to mathematics, outstanding. They were interested in the principles of mathematics, concepts and abstract ideas of proof, rather than solving physical problems.
The Pythagoreans believed all relations could be reduced to numbers. From this they classified numbers; some of their classfications include: female (even), male (odd), triangular, square, prime, composite or perfect. Today, Pythagoras is remembered for his famous geometry theorem. It is believed that, although the Babylonians knew of this theorem 1000 years earlier, Pythagoras was the first to prove it.
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