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The benefits are that mathematicians think it is interesting, and this allows us to answer mathematical questions we could not answer before. There might be pra
by rocqua 9y ago
The benefits are that mathematicians think it is interesting, and this allows us to answer mathematical questions we could not answer before.
There might be practical applications I do not know of, but that's not the point of fundamental mathematical research.
For a thorough defense of mathematics, consider 'A mathematicians apology' by G.H. Hardy or [1], a modern response to that.
To summarize [1], the argument is that the main product of mathematics is an environment that creates mathematicians. Those mathematicians can the use their problem solving skills in practical applications.
[1] https://ldtopology.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/a-new-mathematicians-apology/ https://ldtopology.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/a-new-mathematic...
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- saagarjha 9y agoThat’s a defense of math in general; do you know what the benefits of this particular proof are? I’m not looking for practical applications; rather, could it help solve other problems in the field? Is it an important result in its own right?
- rocqua 9y agoThis shows that an oft talked about new technique in Diophantine equations actually works. The excitement is more due to proof-of-concept than the immediate logical implications.