Isn't the Riemann Hypothesis just a convention?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of the Riemann Hypothesis and whether it is merely a convention regarding the critical line of the zeta function. Participants explore the implications of the hypothesis, its relationship to prime numbers, and the significance of the critical line in the context of the zeta function.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Riemann Hypothesis could be seen as based on a convention regarding the critical line at real part 1/2.
  • Others argue that the hypothesis is not a matter of convention, as it asserts specific conditions for the zeros of the zeta function.
  • A participant suggests that any pattern in the zeta function could be used to count primes, questioning the uniqueness of the critical line.
  • There are claims that the zeros of the zeta function at s = 1/2 + i x are special, while other values do not hold the same significance.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the relevance of certain mathematical interpretations and the connections between perfect squares and primes.
  • A later reply mentions that the Riemann Hypothesis might be unprovably true, hinting at deeper philosophical implications regarding mathematical conjectures.
  • Several posts critique the relevance of certain arguments and interpretations presented by participants, indicating a lack of clarity and consensus on the topic.
  • There are references to external resources, such as videos and articles, that discuss the Riemann Hypothesis, but their relevance to the current debate is questioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on whether the Riemann Hypothesis is merely a convention or if it holds a more definitive mathematical significance. Multiple competing views remain, with some participants defending the hypothesis's importance while others challenge its foundational assumptions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the interpretations of the zeta function and its zeros, as well as the implications of viewing the Riemann Hypothesis as a convention. The discussion reflects varying levels of understanding and differing perspectives on the mathematical concepts involved.

mustang19
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If the zeta function intersects the critical line when the real part is 1/2, then it will intersect some other line when some other real part is used. Isn't the Riemann Hypothesis just based on a particular convention for the critical line?
 
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I don't understand your question. The Riemann hypothesis is that if \zeta(s) = 0, then either s is a negative integer, or its real part is 1/2. I don't see how that can be a matter of convention.
 
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stevendaryl said:
I don't understand your question. The Riemann hypothesis is that if \zeta(s) = 0, then either s is a negative integer, or its real part is 1/2. I don't see how that can be a matter of convention.

Well why are we concerned with z(s) = 0? We could base our prime counting on any pattern found in any z(s).
 
mustang19 said:
We could base our prime counting on any pattern found in any z(s).
What do you mean by that?

ζ(s)=0 is special. For every non-zero value, we know it is attained elsewhere. Only for zero it is still unclear. There is no uncertainty about ζ(s)=1, or ζ(s)=i, or similar values, for example.The Riemann hypothesis has applications beyond the prime numbers.
 
mfb said:
What do you mean by that?

ζ(s)=0 is special. .

So it sounds like RH is just the "everything else" of mathematics. Any roots which aren't otherwise explained fall under RH. Sounds absolutely impossible to solve.
 
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I don't understand your last post. And now I don't think I understand your other posts either.
 
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mustang19 said:
If the zeta function intersects the critical line when the real part is 1/2, then it will intersect some other line when some other real part is used.

I don't understand the question but the problem for the zeta function is exactly that it seems to have zeros when the real part of ##z## is ##\frac{1}{2}## other lines are not so interesting ...
 
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Well I guess primes will always be odd and if you divide them in half you will get an even number plus 1/2. Brb going to publish
 
Your post has absolutely no connection to the zeta-function or the Riemann hypothesis.
 
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  • #10
Well how about this. Let f(x) be whatever function makes the equation work. The denominator is the zeta function can be rewritten as (n^1/2)(n^f(x)). Because taking a square root requires you to factor out the perfect squares in the radicand, you will end up with

Sqrt(perfect squares)*(n^f(x))

So the 1/2 just provides the list of perfect squares to be excluded from the result by the rest of the function.
 
  • #11
mustang19 said:
Well how about this. Let f(x) be whatever function makes the equation work.

What equation?

The denominator is the zeta function can be rewritten as (n^1/2)(n^f(x)). Because taking a square root requires you to factor out the perfect squares in the radicand, you will end up with

Sqrt(perfect squares)*(n^f(x))

So the 1/2 just provides the list of perfect squares to be excluded from the result by the rest of the function.

It's difficult to know what in the world you are talking about. What equation are you talking about? What denominator are you talking about? Why are you talking about taking a square-root?

We have a well-defined function, \zeta(s), which for real s > 0 can be written as \sum_n n^{-s}, but which can be analytically extended to complex values of s. When we try to look for values of s making \zeta(s) = 0, we find find solutions for:

s = -2, -4, -6, ...

and for values of the form

s = +1/2 + i x

The conjecture is: All zeros of \zeta(s) are of this form. It's just one of those conjectures, like Fermat's last theorem, that seems to be true, but nobody has a proof. It's definitely not "just a convention", so that's the answer to your original question, isn't it? Have you changed to a different question, or are you still wondering whether it's just a convention?
 
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  • #12
I am just saying that there are relations between perfect squares and primes that you can exploit to locate primes, this is what the zeta function does and the 1/2 power provides a means to locate perfect squares.
 
  • #13
That doesn't make sense. Multiple members in multiple threads told you that you are wrong with your interpretation of the zeta function. How many more threads do you plan to make?
 
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  • #14
Well I am sure you know that you can count primes using the interval between two perfect squares, if this is not what the zeta function does to find primes then Id be interested in knowing what it actually does.
 
  • #15
mustang19 said:
If the zeta function intersects the critical line when the real part is 1/2, then it will intersect some other line when some other real part is used. Isn't the Riemann Hypothesis just based on a particular convention for the critical line?
If you mean that the RH is unprovably true(so it is either an independent new or known axiom in disguise) this has been suspected by many mathematicians from the moment the hypothesis was formulated, but then again a solid proof of undecidability in the vein of Godel's theorems is needed. It's not the kind of question that can be answered: "Oh yeah, that's right, it's just a convention. Next question?"
 
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  • #16
Why do math crackpots always work on number theory? :biggrin:
 
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  • #17
You could write any variation of the zeta function for any critical line. Whatever critical line you pick is completely arbitrary. That is why asking about it is useless, because it is already predetermined by the assumptions you made when creating the function.
 
  • #18
3brown1blue has a great video explaining the Riemann Zeta function on youtube:

 
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  • #20
Demystifier said:
Why do math crackpots always work on number theory? :biggrin:

Because they don't know enough physics.
 
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  • #22
It was published in prl. I assume they would have caught that in peer review if the flaw was that trivial.
 
  • #23
RockyMarciano said:
Unfortunately here( https://arxiv.org/abs/1704.02644 ) is shown that line of attack doesn't hold water.

The arxiv paper is a comment on the Physics Review article and I don't think the comment has been peer reviewed.
 
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  • #24
jedishrfu said:
Because they don't know enough physics.
Enough for what? For being a physics crackpot? :biggrin:
 
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  • #25
Demystifier said:
Enough for what? For being a physics crackpot? :biggrin:

Yep.
 
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  • #26
mustang19 said:
If the zeta function intersects the critical line when the real part is 1/2, then it will intersect some other line when some other real part is used. Isn't the Riemann Hypothesis just based on a particular convention for the critical line?

Oh and the distances between two numbers are always powers of 1/2 anyway.
 

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