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> So is that like Abel... like the guy who Abelian groups are named after, or Abel from Abel and Cain? Heh. Who do you think a math prize would be named for?
by enriquto 4y ago
> So is that like Abel... like the guy who Abelian groups are named after, or Abel from Abel and Cain?
Heh. Who do you think a math prize would be named for?
There are two first-rate great prizes in math, roughly equivalent in prestige to the Nobel prize in other scientific disciplines. The Fields medal [0] is awarded every 4 years since 1950 to young mathematicians who have done outstanding work, typically a concrete ground-breaking contribution. The Abel prize [1] is awarded every year since 2003 to older mathematicians as recognition for an extremely productive and influential career. Some mathematicians, like Jean-Pierre Serre have won both prizes.
Notice that, as happens with the Nobel prize, some extraordinary mathematicians were never awarded either prize, even if they clearly merited both. For example V.I. Arnold, who at least got the Wolf prize.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fields_Medal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fields_Medal
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Prize https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Prize
- racl101 4y agoYeah, that second part of the statement was a dumb joke from me. But maybe it was a different Abel from the ones I listed.