Could Bob Solow Have Replaced Pythagoras? An Alternate Universe Where Economists Solve the Problem of Right-Triangles

4 Pages Posted: 18 Feb 2012

See all articles by Justin M. Ross

Justin M. Ross

Indiana University - School of Public & Environmental Affairs

Denvil Duncan

Indiana University Bloomington - School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA); Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Date Written: February 16, 2012

Abstract

This essay demonstrates the full range and potential contributions economists have to offer many academic disciplines. We argue that in the absence of a formula which identifies the length of the hypotenuse on a right-triangle, known today as the Pythagorean theorem, economists would have eventually discovered it. In the absence of the traditional mathematical proof, chances are good that it would have become known as Solow's theorem, an equation which would have predicted the hypotenuse without residual.

Keywords: Economic Imperialism, Satire

JEL Classification: A11, N0

Suggested Citation

Ross, Justin M. and Duncan, Denvil, Could Bob Solow Have Replaced Pythagoras? An Alternate Universe Where Economists Solve the Problem of Right-Triangles (February 16, 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2006616 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2006616

Justin M. Ross (Contact Author)

Indiana University - School of Public & Environmental Affairs ( email )

1315 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States

Denvil Duncan

Indiana University Bloomington - School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA) ( email )

1315 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States

Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) ( email )

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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