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Mathematicians find new solutions to an ancient puzzle
- dhimes 19y agoMathematica is a great tool for math hackers. The only problem is that these kinds of problems are addictive, and take time away from what I "should" be doing. But often I learn something by allowing myself to play "just a little..."
- powerflex 19y agoI'm amazed that more of these are not posted to Hacker News. The solution of math problems seems to forecast innovation: ie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_coloring_conjecture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_coloring_conjecture was just recently solved.
- mhartl 19y agoEuler's hypothesis was disproved in 1987 by a Harvard graduate student named Noam Elkies. And partially as a result, Noam ended up one of the youngest ever tenured professors at Harvard (at the age of 26). I met Noam when hanging out with guys from the Harvard Glee Club, which Noam accompanies on piano. Reading Noam's CV (http://www.math.harvard.edu/~elkies/math_cv.html http://www.math.harvard.edu/~elkies/math_cv.html) was one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had.