Free Web NovelChapter 587: Chapter 341: The Very Top Mathematician
"Edward Witten said what was taken by Wiles is the ’Wolf Skyler Prize’."
Wiles has received many mathematics and science awards because he proved Fermat’s Last Theorem, but the most directly related and very meaningful one is the ’Wolf Skyler Prize’. Even the "Fields Special Contribution Medal" and the famous "Wolf Prize" are all ranked behind the ’Wolf Skyler Prize’.
The origin of the ’Wolf Skyler Prize’ is a story with a legendary color.
A century ago, Wolf Skyler, a mathematician enthusiast and businessman from Country D, was infatuated with a beautiful girl. Unfortunately, he was directly rejected by the beautiful girl which devastated him to an extreme, even contemplating suicide.
However, although Wolf Skyler was emotional, he was not impulsive in his actions. He carefully planned each detail of his death. He decided his suicide date and planned to shoot himself in the head at the moment the midnight bell rang.
In the remaining days of his life, Wolf Skyler worked hard, properly handled all his business affairs, and on the day of his planned suicide, he first wrote a will and then farewell letters to all his relatives and friends.
Wolf Skyler was efficient and quickly handled everything he intended, but there were still several hours left till midnight. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
To kill his last hours, Wolf Skyler went to the library. He casually picked a mathematical journal and soon was captivated by an article in it.
The article was about Kummer explaining why Cauchy and Lame’s methods to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem do not work. It was a great mathematical paper, probably suitable for suicidal mathematicians to read at the last moment.
Wolf Skyler was unconsciously engrossed in this classic paper. He carried out detailed calculations and validations, and was shocked to discover a logical flaw in the original text:--
Kummer made an assumption, but did not justify it in his demonstration.
Wolf Skyler wasn’t sure whether he had discovered a serious logical flaw, or if Kummer’s assumption was valid.
If it was the former, proving Fermat’s Last Theorem could potentially be easier than many had guessed.
Therefore, Wolf Skyler scrutinized the insufficient proof carefully, gradually concentrating on this small proof, which either would strengthen Kummer’s work or prove that his assumption was incorrect.
In the latter case, all of Kummer’s work would be declared invalid.
By dawn, Wolf Skyler finally completed the proof, remedied Kummer’s evidence, thereby confirming both Cauchy and Lame had failed to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem.
At that time, the time set for suicide had already passed. Wolf Skyler was extremely proud of having discovered and corrected a flaw in Kummer’s great work. The whole proofing process brought him a great sense of joy and charm of mathematics, and re-recognized the value of life.
Mathematics revived Wolf Skyler’s desire to keep living.
Wolf Skyler tore all the farewell letters he had written, wrote a new will: after his death, when the will was read, Wolf Skyler’s family was shocked to find that most of his wealth was donated to establish an award for the first one to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem.
The prize money would be preserved and judged by the Göttingen Royal Scientific Society, and the interest could be used for the development of mathematics.
That’s the origin of the "Wolf Skyler Prize".
The "Wolf Skyler Prize" is unique and will be awarded to the person who proves Fermat’s Last Theorem. The bonus is one hundred thousand marks, which is about a million pounds now.
The scientific society of Country D kept the "Wolf Skyler Prize" money for over 80 years and eventually gave it to Andrew Wiles, who proved Fermat’s Last Theorem.
Over a decade later, Zhao Yi found a logical mistake in Wiles’ proof and currently has provided proof for Fermat’s Last Theorem.
This already sounds very interesting.
When Edward Witten mentioned the "Wolf Skyler Prize", everyone laughed.
It was definitely kindly meant and they only found it interesting, without any mockery intended.
However, facing the new proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, the scientific society of Country D will definitely feel embarrassed, but they can’t do anything about it, the "Wolf Skyler Prize" is only one, they can’t possibly make a second one, at most they can just not acknowledge Wiles as the winner, but the prize money is definitely not refundable.
Scientists are not liable for erroneous research, let alone return any prize money obtained.
Actually, just like when athletes win Olympic championships. Even if the medals are retracted later, the bonus money is definitely not refundable. Some athletes spend it right after receiving it. To ask them to return it involves a series of complicated issues and many people will be implicated in the process. It’s simply unnecessary and impossible.
Even more so in the scientific community.
Just because a scientific research is proven wrong, it does not mean the scientist is a ’fraud’. Studying is all about exploring things beyond the boundary of human knowledge, errors are quite normal. Winning an award because of flawed research incurs no responsibilities, and the reward is certainly non-refundable.
"So the people of Country D are destined to endure this injustice."
"But I feel more sorry for Wolf Skyler. If he knew that the wealth he accumulated and the prize he established would ultimately be given to a proof with logical errors, and when there’s a correct proof, there’s no prize money left..."
Edward Witten was shaking his head as he said this.
Other people also chimed in subtly, and then the topic was changed. First, it was deemed inappropriate to continue discussing a respected mathematician from a hundred years ago, and secondly, some journalists arrived.
These kind of statements are better said in private, it’s not a good idea to let them be reported.
There were quite a few journalists who came. Because the conference had already ended and most of the time had passed, the person in charge of the venue arranged for the journalists to conduct interviews freely. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Zhao Yi simply sat in the front row of seats.
Edward Witten and Qiu Chengwen stood nearby; they had given Zhao Yi the seat and just stood smiling without trying to take the spotlight.
They had their own interviews too.
Both being Fields Medalists, the journalists were interested in them too. However, their ’interest’ was still related to Zhao Yi. The journalists wanted to know what the two Fields Medalists thought about Zhao’s proof.
The proof had not yet been confirmed to be correct, and the opinion of the bigwigs in the mathematics community was naturally very important.
Edward Witten said, "I don’t think there has ever been a more ingenious, more rigorous proof. He has created a new method which serves as a link between number theory and topology. Using this method, he has proved Fermat’s Last Theorem."
"I think, this method is even more important than Fermat’s Last Theorem being proved!"
"We all know that the (Fermat’s Last) theorem is already set in stone, it’s the same as it was in the past and will be in the future."
"But the method he has established, I believe, will be widely used in the field of number theory. All mathematicians will be interested, and perhaps more conjectures and more mathematical problems will be solved because of it."
The Capital TV Station reporter concluded by asking, "So Mr. Witten, you believe that Zhao Yi’s proof is correct?"
"Of course, it’s obvious, he has proved Fermat’s Last Theorem."
Edward Witten stated affirmatively.
The focus of Qiu Chengwen’s interview was the ’conclusion of the proof’. He simply said, "We can celebrate in advance, the report and the process are perfect."
"From today, we can again say that Fermat’s Last Theorem has been proved, and it was proved by Zhao Yi."
"Of course, there is no final international review yet, but I believe it’s only a matter of time."
The conclusion of the overseas review is indeed very important.
Without ’official’ review for academic achievements, all reviews are non-official, academic, and private in nature. The difference lies in their global influence.
Institutions with large influence in mathematics include the Newton Institute, Clay Research Institute and others, including the Princeton Advanced Study Institute, or other universities, research-oriented institutions, and organizations.
For each new mathematical achievement, influential institutes will express their opinions.
The importance of influence is that academic achievements recognized by these institutions above will be recognized by most journals, periodicals, universities, and then spread to every corner of the world.
This is the process by which a research study is recognized.
More than a decade ago, Wiles’ proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem was initially recognized by the Newton Institute, hence it was accepted by mathematical journals for publication. Subsequently, the committees of various award competitions, and international media gradually recognized the achievement.
Now with Zhao Yi’s proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, it’s the same - he wants global affirmation. He still needs the recognition of influential bodies. Unfortunately, there is no such institution with global reach in our country.
While Edward Witten and Qiu Chengwen were being interviewed, Zhao Yi was also interviewed. Facing several cameras, he showed calmness and confidence in his proof, "I am very certain, it is one hundred percent correct."
After speaking about his achievement, reporters turned to a gossipy topic--
Andrew Wiles.
Zhao Yi, Wiles, and Fermat’s Last Theorem have all been turned into ’must-tell’ stories online.
The subject matter was quite gossipy.
Reporters wanted to know how Zhao Yi would talk about Wiles. Everyone around thought that Zhao Yi wouldn’t talk much about this sensitive topic. However, Zhao Yi didn’t mind and spoke earnestly, "Before I started researching Fermat’s Last Theorem, I carefully read Mr. Wiles’ proof again, studying every single one of the hundred-plus pages."
"Indeed, there were errors in the middle of Mr. Wiles’ paper, but it’s far from useless. We should not completely deny a research based simply on the result."
"Mr. Wiles’ proof encompasses almost the entire field of mathematics. Just by looking at the paper itself, it’s easy to conclude: his level of mathematics is one of the very, very top. I use the term ’very, very top’ without any exaggeration."
"I have great respect for Mr. Wiles; he’s an extremely outstanding mathematician."
"Additionally, I can emphatically say, a portion of my proof process drew inspiration from Mr. Wiles’ methodology. If I had not studied his paper, perhaps I wouldn’t have completed the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem even now."
"So, I just want to say, though there are errors in his proof, he should not be defamed or denigrated on that account..."
