Fermi estimate of the week: Riemann hypothesis

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on estimating the total hours spent on solving the Riemann Hypothesis since its proposal in 1859. The user estimates approximately 5.3 million hours have been dedicated to this mathematical problem, broken down into 600,000 hours from 1859 to 1900, 1.7 million hours from 1901 to 1950, and 2.8 million hours from 1950 to the present. The discussion also humorously calculates the average prize-winnings per hour at $0.189, assuming the Clay Institute's $1 million prize is awarded upon resolution of the hypothesis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Riemann Hypothesis
  • Familiarity with Fermi estimation techniques
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical problem-solving history
  • Awareness of the Clay Mathematics Institute and its prize structure
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context and significance of the Riemann Hypothesis
  • Learn about Fermi estimation methods and their applications
  • Explore the current state of research on the Riemann Hypothesis
  • Investigate the criteria for the Clay Mathematics Institute's prize awards
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of mathematics, and enthusiasts interested in the Riemann Hypothesis and Fermi estimation techniques will benefit from this discussion.

CRGreathouse
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Messages
2,832
Reaction score
0
For those not familiar with the term Fermi estimate/problem/question see here:
http://www.vendian.org/envelope/dir0/fermi_questions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_problem

My question: Between the time that Riemann posed his famous question (in 1859) and now, how many hours have been expended on the problem?

Extra credit: How many hours will have been expended on the problem by the time it is solved? Assuming the Clay institute pays out its million-dollar prize at that point, what is the average prize-winnings per hour? :biggrin:
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I know pretty much nothing about it, but I like Fermi problems.

I estimate 600K hours between 1859-1900, 1.7M hours between 1901-1950, and 2.8M hours between 1950-present, making 5.1M hours

It needs another few years until I solve it (SARCASM, I PROBABLY WON'T SOLVE IT), so roughly 5.3M hours.

$1M/5.3Mhours = $0.189 per hour
 

Similar threads

Insights The History and Importance of the Riemann Hypothesis
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Graduate Exploring the Riemann Hypothesis and Analytic Continuation
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate Shinichi Mochizuki's ABC Conjecture and Replication Crisis in Maths
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
8K
Graduate Is this the Future of Mathematics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Can Your Insights on Primes Unlock the Riemann Hypothesis?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
12K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 217)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate How Common is the Incompleteness Phenomenon?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Future Direction of Mathematics: Hilbert, Wiles, and Beyond
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Graduate Astronomical Implications of Quantum Entanglement?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad What happens to the probability if a case is revealed to be a winning scenario?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K