Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: imatfaal on 11/08/2010 17:00:25

Title: For real maths geeks - fancy a challenge?
Post by: imatfaal on 11/08/2010 17:00:25

p v np solved? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10938302) 

One of the Clay Millennium Challenges (http://www.claymath.org/millennium/P_vs_NP/) is being claimed!!  There seems to be a real brouhaha (http://rjlipton.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/update-on-deolalikars-proof-that-p%E2%89%A0np/) about it.  Unlike the award for Poincaré Conjecture awarded to Dr. Grigoriy Perelman I think this was more of a shock - and the claimant relatively unknown.  I think a few mathematicians would have bet on p v np being last to be solved, if ever.
 
You can get the paper  here  (http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Vinay_Deolalikar/Papers/pnp12pt.pdf)if fancy trying to find a mistake or counter-proof.



Matthew

Title: For real maths geeks - fancy a challenge?
Post by: Geezer on 12/08/2010 02:20:16

The overwhelming response to this topic may be indicative of the mathematical prowess of your average poster  [;D]

Title: For real maths geeks - fancy a challenge?
Post by: peppercorn on 12/08/2010 12:18:29

Quote from: Geezer on 12/08/2010 02:20:16

The overwhelming response to this topic may be indicative of the mathematical prowess of your average poster  [;D]

I think the problem regarding commenting on this is it appears pretty abstract. I read it's taking several teams days to check for inconsistencies in the proof.
My mum would say "That's good dear, but will it help me with the washing up?" [:D] As she used to when I was writing BASIC programs as a kid.

I'd like to know what practical solutions this proof with allow us.