Slashdot Mirror
A Step Towards Proving the Riemann Hypothesis
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."
You know, there's a lot of speculation about that. I suspect he did have a proof, but I'm skeptical that it was correct. There's no doubt that the man was brilliant but we've had people working on that question ever since Fermat died and no one has been able to produce a "simple, elegant" proof. (Fermat's own description, there.) But there's plenty of precedent for mathematicians making things inordinately complex before some young genius comes along and shows a magnificently simple way of achieving the same thing.
Somewhat, but the parallel conjecture that went all the way back to Euclid couldn't be proven, even though it seemed largely true. Eventually Riemannian geometry arose as something that broke this well established conjecture. Often, yes, it's useful to assume conjectures, but don't underestimate the value of a proof, or even the value of failed proofs.
Quite the contrary, actually - I think we need more discussions (and more posts) like this on Slashdot. It's a good starting point to look things up.
I already know a few things about L-functions and GRH, but I'm not sure what the "membranes" you refer to are. Are you speaking of the same "membranes" that appear in M-theory?