The millennium problems: the seven greatest unsolved mathematical puzzles of our time

Abstract

The definitive lay reader's account of Everests of mathematics--the seven unsolved problems that definethe state of art in contemporary math. In 2000, Clay Foundation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced a historic competition: whoever could solve any of seven extraordinarily difficult mathematical problems, and have solution acknowledged as correct by experts, would receive USD1 million in prize money. There was some precedent for doing this: in 1900 David Hilbert, one of greatest mathematicians of his day, proposed twenty-three problems, now known as Hilbert Problems, that set much of agenda for mathematics in twentieth century. The Millennium Problems are likely to acquire similar stature, and their solution (or lack of one) is likely to play a strong role in determining course of mathematics in current century. Keith Devlin, renowned expositor of mathematics, tells here what seven problems are, how they came about, and what they mean for math and science. These problems are brass rings held out to today's mathematicians, glittering and just out of reach. In hands of Keith Devlin, the Math Guy from NPR's Weekend Edition, each Millennium Problem becomes a fascinating window onto deepest and toughest questions in field. For mathematicians, physicists, engineers, and everyone else with an interest in mathematics' cutting edge, The Millennium Problems is definitive account of a subject that will have a very long shelf life.