Has the ABC Conjecture Been Proven?

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SUMMARY

The ABC Conjecture, proposed by Shinichi Mochizuki, remains unproven despite Mochizuki's extensive work, including the 'Inter-universal Teichmuller Theory' updated in November 2016. The proof, reportedly around a thousand pages long, presents challenges for peer review due to its complexity and the potential for varied understanding among mathematicians. The discussion highlights the skepticism surrounding the conjecture's significance and the difficulties faced in achieving consensus within the mathematical community.

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  • Understanding of the ABC Conjecture in number theory
  • Familiarity with Shinichi Mochizuki's 'Inter-universal Teichmuller Theory'
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  • Research the details of the 'Inter-universal Teichmuller Theory' by Shinichi Mochizuki
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Mathematicians, number theorists, and researchers interested in the complexities of mathematical proofs and the ongoing discourse surrounding the ABC Conjecture.

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Oh, all the great headlines the press could write...
"Mathematicians still unsure if a+b=c"
"Conference on whether a+b=c or not, no solution"

Does Mochizuki write down more details and steps in regions where other mathematicians struggle? It looks like an obvious thing to do.
 
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mfb said:
Oh, all the great headlines the press could write...
"Mathematicians still unsure if a+b=c"
"Conference on whether a+b=c or not, no solution"

Does Mochizuki write down more details and steps in regions where other mathematicians struggle? It looks like an obvious thing to do.

Usually the proof is with a consistent level of detail. It is already very long, perhaps a thousand pages. It could be that different mathematicians struggle with different steps, or maybe they are just overwhelmed with the whole thing. That's the trouble with highly original research: peer review could take many man-years, and there is risk that the whole thing will be useless. If Mochizuki didn't have a heavy rep there would be no chance that his proof would be accepted: too risky an investment.
 
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I never took number theory, but I've taken lots of combinatorics and I usually stay up on math related "news." But I've heard more about this conjecture in the press than I've heard from anybody I know in the math community. Does anyone really think it's really such an important conjecture?

-Dave K
 

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