Gimblestitch Archmage's Amusing Number Theorem

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An undergraduate student has discovered and proved a number theorem but lacks credentials to publish it. The discussion emphasizes consulting a trusted professor or adviser for guidance on the theorem's publishability and potential for further development. It is noted that anyone can publish a paper, and having a legitimate result is key, regardless of academic status. Caution is advised against sharing the work publicly to protect intellectual credit. The student has since submitted their theorem to the Journal of the American Mathematical Society.
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Greetings,

I've discovered (and proved) an an amusing little number theorem. The problem is I have no credentials to publish it, being an undergraduate student of physics. Suggestions please?

Gimblestitch Archmage
 
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Speak to your adviser or a trusted professor if you truly have something publishable. If it's not publishable (as in, it's not a big enough result), then maybe that professor can work with you to go deeper into the problem. If it's already known, then you don't really lose anything either. If the professor doesn't see it as something that can be improved on, and it's still not publishable, but it is new, then you'll at least have the experience of doing something new.

Anyone can publish a paper anywhere. No one looks for you to have completed a Ph.D in math before you submit a paper. If your result is legitimate and interesting, then it can be published. Most of us aren't qualified to gauge the merits of your work (since we don't even know what it is); that's why you should speak to professors you know.
 
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Gimblestitch said:
Greetings,

I've discovered (and proved) an an amusing little number theorem. The problem is I have no credentials to publish it, being an undergraduate student of physics. Suggestions please?

Gimblestitch Archmage

If you look in the Guides section of PF Insights, there are a couple of articles on publishing papers that may give you some ideas in addition to the good ones already given by axmls:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/category/guides/

:smile:
 
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Tip of advice, if it is something great, keep it to yourself. Only show trusted people. DO not post on sites such as Matchstacks etc. People can steal your credit if you did find something.
 
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Well, you certainly won't get any credit if you don't tell anyone!
 
HallsofIvy said:
Well, you certainly won't get any credit if you don't tell anyone!
Let's keep the snarky results to a minimum. I said show trusted people.. Anyone with a brain would seek a trusted person and ask do I have something here.

I would expect better behavior from staff.
 
One, I'm not "staff". Two, I was not being "snarky", I was completely serious.
 
Addendum: I submitted my little number theorem to the Journal of AMS.
 

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