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A Step Towards Proving the Riemann Hypothesis

Posted by kdawson on from the prime-time dept.

arbitraryaardvark writes "A new mathematical object has been discovered by Bristol University student Ce Bian. The Riemann hypothesis, unproven since 1859, has to do with the distribution of primes and something called L-functions. Bian has demonstrated the first known third-degree transcendental L-function. This apparently opens up a new way to go about looking for proofs of the Riemann hypothesis. There is an unclaimed $1 million prize for a valid proof. We've discussed a couple of earlier attempts to claim the prize."

7 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. My own personal proof by explosivejared · · Score: 4, Funny

    Non-trivial zeroes of the zeta function are 1/2 because they naturally form as wholes, but as we all know a grue can't resist the tasty flesh of a non-trivial zero. I posit that the only way to prove the hypothesis is to kill a grue and vivisect it to search for the other half of the non-trivial zero. So until someone is brave enough to fight a grue and extract the flesh of the non-trivial zero, that million dollars is going unclaimed.

    --
    I got a catholic block.
  2. I have already solved this! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...But unfortunately I do not have
    enough room in the margin of this
    text area to display it properly.

    1. Re:I have already solved this! by popmaker · · Score: 5, Funny

      am on ship on way to england stop have solved riemann hypothesis stop will give details on return stop

  3. The Riemann Hypothesis, by Robert Ludlum by HiggsBison · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cue the creepy, hushed voice-over:

    In a University in Lower Saxony, a mathematician had formulated a remarkable conjecture. Its effects would be felt worldwide.

    The Riemann Hypothesis, by Robert Ludlum. Now in paperback.

    --
    My other car is a 1984 Nark Avenger.
  4. smile and nod by esocid · · Score: 4, Funny

    (just smile and nod, smile and nod. they'll never know you have no idea what this means)

    --
    Absolute power corrupts absolutely. indymedia
    1. Re:smile and nod by piemcfly · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can vouch for the smile-nod method.

      I got through half a year of classes on game-theory in Korean with it. The professor never noticed I didn't speak a word Korean. Tests were in English, and the guy just kept asking ending in '...isn't that right, studentX?' or '...do you not agree, studentY?'.

      Smile and nod baby, smile and nod. Best followed by a short single chuckle, as if the intrinsical irony of reality does not elude you.

      By the end of the semester the guy actually seemed to like me.

  5. Re:What's really going on here by kalirion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow, it's so clear now!