Nigerian professor claims to have solved Riemann hypothesis

[ixfd64]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/17/africa...hesis-unsolved

Hmm...

[rogue]

At least it didn't start with "Dear Kind Sir" or contain the line "I cannot pay the taxes to export my proof so I cannot claim the money".

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by rogue

At least it didn't start with "Dear Kind Sir" or contain the line "I cannot pay the taxes to export my proof so I cannot claim the money".

Haha, nice. But note that 419 is indeed prime! [Cue Twilight Zone theme music.]

[bgbeuning]

The book "Prime Obsession: Bernhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics"
by John Derbyshire is a gentle introduction to the Riemann Hypothesis (RH).
It takes him 200 pages of background material before he can explain the RH.

I hope the RH proof stands up to review. A number of other "proofs" assume the RH is true.

[Dubslow]

The conference at which he presented appears at least to be legitimate (at first glance). It is listed on AMS' online calendar of events.

Edit:

Originally Posted by CNN

However Perelman refused to accept the award -- as he had the Fields Prize in 2006.

Nice research, CNN

[Brian-E]

Quite prepared to be blasted for my naivety here, but I don't quite understand the reference to 419 scams here, nor the cynicism in a few posts above, nor the fact that this has been placed in the Misc. Math. forum instead of one of the genuine Math forums.

Apart from the obvious - that the Riemann Hypothesis has so far resisted proof despite numerous flawed attempts - do we have any other legitimate reasons why this latest claim should be treated with skepticism?

[rogue]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

Haha, nice. But note that 419 is indeed prime! [Cue Twilight Zone theme music.]

I'm just surprised that I beat you to it. Now I have to wait for the hamsters to change the title of the thread...

Originally Posted by Brian-E

Quite prepared to be blasted for my naivety here, but I don't quite understand the reference to 419 scams here, nor the cynicism in a few posts above, nor the fact that this has been placed in the Misc. Math. forum instead of one of the genuine Math forums.

Apart from the obvious - that the Riemann Hypothesis has so far resisted proof despite numerous flawed attempts - do we have any other legitimate reasons why this latest claim should be treated with skepticism?

See here for more information.

[Brian-E]

Originally Posted by rogue

See here for more information.

Could you explain what this has to do with someone who believes he has proved the Riemann Hypothesis.

Sorry if I'm slow, but I simply don't see the connection.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by Brian-E

Sorry if I'm slow, but I simply don't see the connection.

I'm also slow.

But there can be a presupposition that those from Africa can't possibly advance mathematics, or science, in general.

This is an old (and stupid) idea, of course.

At the same time, all claims should be questioned deeply. This is the fundamental nature of science.

What is most important is to question everything; all claims. Science doesn't see colour nor religion of the claimants; it simply sees the claimed results and then tests them.

Some might be correct; some might be wrong.

Deal with it....

[science_man_88]

Originally Posted by Brian-E

Could you explain what this has to do with someone who believes he has proved the Riemann Hypothesis.

Sorry if I'm slow, but I simply don't see the connection.

http://mersenneforum.org/showthread....ian#post405252 I believe is the connection, especially since I've read a article about it being faked or that it really wasn't him who put his name there.

[bgbeuning]

Originally Posted by Brian-E

Sorry if I'm slow, but I simply don't see the connection.

Maybe this will help.

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-o...nigerian-scams