How Is A Mathematician’s Work Done? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Mathematics is no longer solely a solitary pursuit, with online platforms like Polymath encouraging collaboration among mathematicians to solve significant problems.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Mathematics has historically been a solitary pursuit, but it is increasingly becoming a team game, with collaboration leading to significant problem-solving.
• 😨 Andrew Wiles chose to work alone to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, fearing theft or being discredited, and because of the intense focus required.
• 🤗 Paul Erdős, on the other hand, collaborated with numerous mathematicians, believing in the power of shared ideas and collaboration.
• ❓ Platforms like Polymath are encouraging mathematicians to contribute and collaborate online to solve complex problems.
• 📌 Technology, such as Skype, has made it easier for mathematicians to collaborate regardless of their physical location.
• 🤔 Collaboration in mathematics allows for innovative thinking, bouncing ideas off each other, and ultimately getting further in solving problems.
• 💡 Conferences and visits to colleagues are still important for mathematicians to share ideas and collaborate effectively.

Transcript

a very famous mathematician once actually characterized mathematics is something that you lay down close your eyes and work like hell and if you can say that and mean it then you're a mathematician and this of course means you're doing it by yourself actually often a lot of mathematics acceptable historically it was done large about people on their... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How has mathematics evolved from being a solitary pursuit?

Mathematics used to be mostly done by individuals, but now there is a growing trend of collaboration, with platforms like Polymath allowing mathematicians to contribute and solve problems together.

Q: Why did Andrew Wiles choose to work alone to prove Fermat's Last Theorem?

Andrew Wiles wanted to be the one to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, and he believed that sharing his process might lead to theft or him being discredited. He also needed intense focus, which would be disrupted by collaboration.

Q: Who was Paul Erdős and how did he approach mathematics?

Paul Erdős was a mathematician who believed in collaboration and shared ideas. He collaborated with over 500 mathematicians, publishing numerous papers. He often visited colleagues and spent time working together to solve problems.

Q: What role does technology play in collaborative mathematics?

Technology, such as online platforms and video conferencing tools like Skype, has made collaboration in mathematics easier. It allows mathematicians to work together, share ideas, and collaborate even when they are not physically present in the same location.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mathematics historically was done by individuals, but it is increasingly becoming a team game, with platforms like Polymath facilitating collaboration.

• Andrew Wiles worked alone for seven years to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, fearing that sharing his process would lead to theft or discredit.

• On the other hand, Paul Erdős collaborated with over 500 mathematicians during his career, believing in the power of shared ideas and collaboration.