The Pythagorean theorem is commonly associated with ancient Greece, specifically with the mathematician Pythagoras, who lived in the 6th century BCE. However, it is interesting to note that a similar theorem was also developed independently in ancient China, around the same time period.

The Chinese version of the theorem is attributed to the mathematician and philosopher Zhoubi Suanjing, who lived during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). His work, which included a treatise on mathematical astronomy called the Zhoubi Suanjing, contained a statement that is equivalent to the Pythagorean theorem. The statement reads: "The square of the hypotenuse (of a right triangle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides."

Interestingly, the Chinese version of the theorem predates the Pythagorean theorem by several centuries. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Zhoubi Suanjing had any contact with Pythagoras or the Greeks, and it is widely believed that the Chinese and Greek versions of the theorem were developed independently of one another.

The Chinese version of the theorem was later popularized by Liu Hui, a mathematician who lived during the 3rd century CE. In his book Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, which was written during the Han dynasty and revised during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907 CE), Liu Hui included a proof of the theorem, as well as several examples of its application.

Overall, the development of the Pythagorean theorem in ancient China and Greece is a fascinating example of how similar mathematical ideas can arise independently in different cultures and time periods.