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More on Riemann Hypothesis

Posted by michael on from the math-geeks-rejoice dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "The NYTimes has a little story on a recent conference at New York University's Courant Institute where mathematicians gathered to discuss potential attacks on the Riemann hypothesis. The Clay Mathematics Institute had announced an award of a million dollars for a proof (or refutation) of the Riemann hypothesis during the millenial celebrations. That million dollars won't be worth much if it takes as long as that Last Theorem by Fermat to solve. There were some interesting observations such as the statistical distribution of the zeros looked just like calculations on the energy levels of large atoms." We did a related story on hard math problems two years ago.

8 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Not more attacks! by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 4, Funny

    We're already being searched at airports, now mathematicians can't carry a protractor or a compass without being looked as being suspicious. When will terrorists learn that attacking math problems never solves anything. Wait, maybe it does...

  2. Eureka! by Ass-Gas-Istan · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have discovered a truly remarkable proof which this post is too small to contain.

    1. Re:Eureka! by Nightpaw · · Score: 4, Funny

      It was that fucking lameness filter, wasn't it?

  3. But it's easy to prove... by bearnol · · Score: 3, Funny

    http://www.bearnol.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Math/riema nn.htm

  4. Other things anyone who really knows can do.... by DohDamit · · Score: 3, Funny

    Explain sight to the blind.
    Explain sound to the deaf.
    Explain intuitive leaps of any kind.

    Not every concept maps to a clean explanation in a few simple words. That's why we have the different words. True, most concepts can be mapped somewhat to common language, but come on...give the guy a fucking break. We're talking about advanced mathematics.

    Get off YOUR high horse, bubby.

  5. I am confident... by Rocky · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...that these proofs will not be solved using conventional methods, but they will eventually be solved using SMALL PROGRAMS with SIMPLE RULES. These rules can be run on a simple computer using my program, Mathematica. Easy!

    Either that, or you can solve them by buying REAL ESTATE with NO MONEY DOWN! or by placing SMALL ADS in NEWSPAPERS with your own 900 NUMBER!!!!!

    --
    "I'm an old-fashioned type of guy. I worship the Sun and Moon as gods. And fear them."
  6. Good intro... by ImaLamer · · Score: 5, Funny

    "that God -- with whom he waged a very personal war -- would not let Hardy die with such glory."

    That has to be the funniest things I've read, today.

    Is it me or does it seem that all "hard" mathematicians are either at war with God or trying to "refute"/"prove"/divide/discover/humiliate him/her/it/Taco?

    --
    Get your Unix fortune now!
  7. You can't stop these attacks by capt.Hij · · Score: 5, Funny
    The problem is that these mathematical terrorists form small cells (usually located near institutions of "higher education") which are extremely difficult to penetrate. It usually requires connections made early during college and 4-5 years after that. Some people have been known to take much longer.

    Even if you are able to get into a cell it can be extremely difficult to stay in and keep your sanity. Many people who do get in just sort of drift off from society and are all but lost. Those few that make it often end up working alone, late at night in the back of dimly lit coffee houses.

    There is simply no way to stop someone who is willing to make such sacrifices.