60 year old math problem solved - Gambling and Probability

Two Plus Two Forums Other Topics Probability

60 year old math problem solved

Post Reply Subscribe

...

05-04-2018 , 02:52 PM

apkrnewb

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,650

Wow didn't know it was possible in today's world for math problems to go unsolved for so long! Congrats
https://science.slashdot.org/story/1...ved-by-amateur

Quote

05-04-2018 , 03:00 PM

STinLA

old hand

Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,882

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkrnewb

Wow didn't know it was possible in today's world for math problems to go unsolved for so long!

What about the Riemann Conjecture which has gone unsolved for nearly 160 years?

Quote

05-04-2018 , 03:24 PM

apkrnewb

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,650

Quote:

Originally Posted by STinLA

What about the Riemann Conjecture which has gone unsolved for nearly 160 years?

Wow didn't know about that one. Why not input these problems to Mathematica or something similar or are they really to complex for computers?

Quote

05-04-2018 , 08:37 PM

RustyBrooks

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 24,647

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkrnewb

Wow didn't know about that one. Why not input these problems to Mathematica or something similar or are they really to complex for computers?

That is not how proving theorems works

Quote

05-05-2018 , 02:54 PM

NewOldGuy

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,935

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...in_mathematics

There are many unsolved math problems. Some have rewards available.

Quote

05-06-2018 , 10:19 PM

asymbacguy

banned

Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 380

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyBrooks

That is not how proving theorems works

Yep.

Quote

05-08-2018 , 10:25 AM

apkrnewb

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,650

I'm learning

Quote

05-08-2018 , 03:34 PM

robert_utk

Not From the UK

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,822

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkrnewb

I'm learning

A computer running a simulation for a very long amount of time, could only disprove a conjecture by finding an example where a conjecture is invalid. This is a counter-example.

A computer running a simulation for a very long amount of time, that finds no fault in a conjecture has proved nothing.

A human with pen and paper can prove a conjecture and thus the conjecture becomes a theorem. Some of these conjectures are not proven theorems for the lifetime of the people who produce the original conjecture.

Quote

05-08-2018 , 05:16 PM

RustyBrooks

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 24,647

It is possible for computers to solve theorems. They do it more or less the same way people do, by starting with axioms, forming and proving sub-theorems and moving their way to a proof. It would probably be helpful if you knew a bit about mathematical proofs in general (maybe you do, I don't know)

Problems in mathematics aren't like
x^3 + 5x^2 - 27 = 12, what's x

they're more like
If a = b, then a + c = b + c
and it's up to you to start with things that are known to be true, and find a set of steps that leads to this conclusion.

So it's not really an issue of number crunching or plugging something into mathematica.

Quote

05-08-2018 , 06:50 PM

#10

apkrnewb

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,650

Thanks! My math knowledge is min. I think this forum and its many elite members and posters of answers has spoiled me. So some stuff does exist that you all have not figured out.

Quote

Post Reply Subscribe

...