Has the ABC Conjecture Been Proven?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter David Neves
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conjecture
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the status of the ABC Conjecture and the claimed proof by Shirichi Mochizuki. Participants explore the implications of the proof, the challenges in understanding it, and the broader significance of the conjecture within the mathematical community.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference an article about a conference discussing Mochizuki's claimed proof, highlighting ongoing uncertainty in the mathematical community.
  • There is a suggestion that Mochizuki could provide more detailed explanations in areas where other mathematicians struggle, as the proof is lengthy and complex.
  • Concerns are raised about the peer review process for highly original research, with some participants noting that the length and complexity of the proof may hinder acceptance.
  • One participant expresses a lack of familiarity with number theory but questions the perceived importance of the ABC Conjecture, noting that it seems to receive more media attention than discussion within the math community.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the validity of Mochizuki's proof or the importance of the ABC Conjecture, indicating multiple competing views and ongoing uncertainty.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the complexity and length of Mochizuki's proof, as well as the potential for different mathematicians to struggle with various aspects of it. There is also an acknowledgment of the challenges inherent in peer review for original research.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to mathematicians, particularly those involved in number theory, as well as individuals following developments in mathematical conjectures and proofs.

Mathematics news on Phys.org
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: UncertaintyAjay
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Mentallic
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
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
9K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
929
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 74 ·
3
Replies
74
Views
18K