Solve This Mathematics Problem and Get 1 Million Dollars

Ellie Sleightholm
19 May 202418:30

Summary

TLDRThis video script explores the seven Millennium Prize Problems, offering a glimpse into the challenges that could win mathematicians a place in the Hall of Fame and a $1 million reward. It delves into the Riemann Hypothesis's connection to prime numbers, the Navier-Stokes equations' role in fluid dynamics, the P vs NP problem's impact on computer science, the Poincaré conjecture's triumph in topology, the Hodge conjecture's geometric intricacies, the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture's focus on elliptic curves, and the Yang-Mills theory's foundational role in particle physics. Each problem is a testament to the depth and complexity of mathematical inquiry.

Takeaways

  • 🏆 The speaker introduces the seven Millennium Prize Problems, each offering a $1 million reward for solutions that would significantly advance mathematics.
  • 🔍 The Riemann Hypothesis is highlighted as one of the most famous and important problems, with deep implications for the understanding of prime numbers and cryptography.
  • 🔢 Prime numbers are numbers only divisible by one and themselves, and their distribution pattern is a mystery that mathematicians are eager to solve.
  • 🎶 The Riemann Zeta Function is intricately linked to the distribution of prime numbers and is central to the Riemann Hypothesis.
  • 🌊 The Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem is the speaker's favorite due to its relevance to fluid dynamics, a field the speaker is passionate about.
  • 🌀 The Navier-Stokes equations describe fluid flow and are fundamental to understanding phenomena like air travel, ocean waves, and more.
  • 💻 The P versus NP problem is related to the efficiency of problem-solving in computer science, questioning whether problems that are easy to check are also easy to solve.
  • 📊 The Poincaré conjecture, the first Millennium Prize Problem to be solved, is about the transformation of shapes in topology without cutting or gluing.
  • 🏰 The Hodge conjecture, while complex, involves the decomposition of complicated geometric shapes into simpler, invariant components.
  • 🧩 The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture is about elliptic curves and the number of rational points they contain, which is key to number theory.
  • ⚛️ The Yang-Mills existence and mass gap problem is foundational to elementary particle theory, with the mass gap being a crucial property yet to be theoretically established.

Q & A

  • What are the Millennium Prize Problems?

    -The Millennium Prize Problems are seven mathematical problems established by the Clay Institute in the year 2000, each with a $1 million prize for a correct solution. They are considered some of the most difficult and important unsolved problems in mathematics.

  • Why is the Riemann Hypothesis considered important in mathematics?

    -The Riemann Hypothesis is considered important because it is believed to be true and has implications in various fields such as cryptography. It proposes that the Riemann zeta function is only equal to zero when the real part of the complex number s is equal to a half, and its proof could open up new avenues in the study of prime numbers.

  • What is the connection between the Riemann zeta function and prime numbers?

    -The Riemann zeta function is closely related to the distribution of prime numbers. The function is used to describe the frequency of prime numbers, and the Riemann Hypothesis states a specific condition under which the function equals zero, which is connected to the real part of the complex number s being a half.

  • What are the Navier-Stokes equations?

    -The Navier-Stokes equations are a set of differential equations that describe the motion of fluid substances, like air over an aircraft's wing or water waves. They are fundamental in fluid dynamics, but a complete understanding of these equations, especially in areas like turbulence, remains a challenge.

  • Why is the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem significant?

    -The significance of the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem lies in the need to prove the existence of smooth solutions for fluid flow described by the Navier-Stokes equations under certain conditions, which is currently an open question in mathematics.

  • What does P versus NP problem refer to in the context of computer science?

    -The P versus NP problem refers to the question of whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified (NP) can also be quickly solved (P). It is a fundamental question in computer science regarding the relationship between the complexity of solving and verifying problems.

  • What was the first Millennium Prize Problem to be solved?

    -The first and only Millennium Prize Problem to be solved so far is the Poincaré conjecture, which was proven by the mathematician Grigori Perelman.

  • What is the Poincaré conjecture about in the field of topology?

    -The Poincaré conjecture is about the possibility of transforming a three-dimensional object without holes into a sphere through continuous deformation, without cutting or gluing. It was extended by Perelman to higher dimensions.

  • What is the Hodge conjecture and why is it significant?

    -The Hodge conjecture is a complex problem in algebraic geometry that deals with the decomposition of geometric shapes into simpler shapes. It is significant because it pertains to understanding invariants in topology, specifically cohomology classes.

  • What are elliptic curves and why are they important in the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture?

    -Elliptic curves are mathematical curves represented by equations of the form y^2 = x^3 + ax + b. They are important in the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture because the conjecture is concerned with determining the number of rational points on these curves, which has implications in number theory.

  • What is the Yang-Mills theory and its relevance to the last Millennium Prize Problem?

    -The Yang-Mills theory is a framework in physics that describes elementary particles using geometric structures. The last Millennium Prize Problem is about understanding the mathematical foundations of this theory, particularly the existence of a mass gap, which is crucial for the theory's application in particle physics.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Riemann Hypothesis and Prime Numbers

The first Millennium Prize Problem discussed is the Riemann Hypothesis, which is considered one of the most significant unsolved problems in mathematics. The hypothesis is deeply connected to the distribution of prime numbers and is believed to be true by many mathematicians due to its implications in various fields, including cryptography. The Riemann zeta function is central to this hypothesis, and it is proposed that this function equals zero only when the real part of the complex number 's' is a half. Although the hypothesis has been tested extensively and found to hold true for the first 10 trillion solutions, a formal proof is yet to be established. Solving the Riemann Hypothesis would not directly reveal a pattern in prime numbers but would significantly advance the understanding of prime numbers, potentially leading to the discovery of such a pattern.

05:02

🌊 Navier-Stokes Equations and Fluid Dynamics

The second Millennium Prize Problem is the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem, which is particularly fascinating due to its relation to fluid dynamics—a field of study that describes the motion of liquids and gases. The Navier-Stokes equations are fundamental in this area, providing a mathematical model for fluid flow. Despite their importance, a complete understanding of these equations, especially in relation to phenomena like turbulence, remains elusive. The challenge lies in proving the existence of smooth solutions for the equations under all conditions, a task that has not yet been accomplished. The implications of solving this problem are vast, affecting both the theoretical understanding of fluid mechanics and practical applications in engineering and environmental science.

10:02

💾 P vs. NP: The Complexity of Computational Problems

The third problem, known as P versus NP, delves into the realm of computer science and computational complexity. The problem questions whether every problem that can be solved quickly (in polynomial time, denoted as P) can also be verified quickly. In essence, it asks if efficiency in solving a problem equates to efficiency in checking its solution. This problem has profound implications for various fields, including cryptography, optimization, and algorithm design. The resolution of P vs. NP would be groundbreaking, potentially reshaping our understanding of what is computationally feasible and could lead to advances in technology and security.

15:04

🏺 Perelman's Proof of the Poincaré Conjecture

The Poincaré Conjecture, the first of the Millennium Prize Problems to be solved, is a topic in the field of topology, which deals with the properties of space that are preserved under continuous transformations. The conjecture posits that a simply connected, three-dimensional shape without holes can be transformed into a sphere without any cutting or gluing. Gregori Perelman provided the proof for this conjecture, which was a monumental achievement. Remarkably, Perelman declined both the $1 million prize and the prestigious Fields Medal, citing disinterest in fame and fortune, demonstrating an extraordinary level of modesty and dedication to the pursuit of mathematical truth.

🏛 The Hodge Conjecture and Geometric Shapes

The Hodge Conjecture, the fifth Millennium Prize Problem, is a highly complex problem in algebraic geometry that seeks to understand whether certain geometric shapes can be decomposed into simpler components. The conjecture is concerned with 'invariants'—properties that remain unchanged under certain transformations—and specifically with a type of invariant known as the cohomology class. The conjecture aims to determine whether these classes can be represented by geometric cycles within the shape. This problem is intricate and requires a deep understanding of algebraic cycles and their relationship to the topology of complex algebraic varieties.

📏 The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture

The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture, the sixth problem, is a significant issue in number theory that focuses on elliptic curves, which are curves defined by equations of the form y^2 = x^3 + ax + b. The conjecture is interested in the number of rational points on these curves, specifically whether there are infinitely many or a finite number. The conjecture suggests a method to determine this through the use of the Hasse-Weil L-function, which is a complex analytic function that encodes information about the number of points on the curve. This conjecture is central to our understanding of elliptic curves and their applications in cryptography and other areas of mathematics.

⚛️ The Yang-Mills Theory and the Mass Gap

The final Millennium Prize Problem, the Yang-Mills Existence and Mass Gap, is rooted in theoretical physics and concerns the mathematical foundations of quantum field theory. The Yang-Mills theory, developed by Chen Ning Yang and Robert Mills, provides a framework for describing elementary particles using geometric structures. While the theory has been experimentally verified, a complete mathematical understanding is still lacking. A key aspect of the theory is the 'mass gap,' a property that has been observed in experiments but not yet proven theoretically. Resolving this problem would not only solidify the mathematical underpinnings of the Yang-Mills theory but also contribute to our fundamental understanding of the physical universe.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Millennium Prize Problems

The Millennium Prize Problems are seven mathematical problems established by the Clay Mathematics Institute in 2000 with a reward of one million dollars for each correct solution. These problems are central to the video's theme, as they represent some of the most significant unsolved challenges in mathematics. The script discusses each of these problems in detail, emphasizing their importance and the potential impact of solving them on various fields.

💡Riemann Hypothesis

The Riemann Hypothesis is one of the Millennium Prize Problems and is considered one of the most important in mathematics. It deals with the distribution of prime numbers and their relationship with the Riemann zeta function. The hypothesis proposes that the zeta function is zero only when the real part of the complex number 's' is one-half. The video explains this hypothesis as a gateway to further advancements in the understanding of prime numbers, which are crucial for fields like cryptography.

💡Prime Numbers

Prime numbers are natural numbers greater than 1 that have no divisors other than 1 and themselves. The video script discusses the significance of prime numbers in various fields, especially in the context of the Riemann Hypothesis. The lack of a discernible pattern in the distribution of prime numbers is highlighted, and the potential groundbreaking implications of finding such a pattern are mentioned.

💡Navier-Stokes Equations

The Navier-Stokes equations are fundamental in fluid dynamics, describing the motion of fluids. The video script presents the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem as a Millennium Prize Problem, emphasizing the incomplete understanding of these equations, especially in the context of turbulence. The script suggests that a deeper understanding of these equations could have significant implications for various applications.

💡P vs NP Problem

The P vs NP problem is a central question in computer science and concerns the relationship between the complexity of solving a problem and the complexity of verifying its solution. The video script explains this as one of the Millennium Prize Problems, highlighting its relevance to computational processes and the importance of determining whether every problem that is easy to check can also be solved efficiently.

💡Perelman

Grigori Perelman is the mathematician who solved the Poincaré conjecture, one of the Millennium Prize Problems. The video script recounts his story and his rejection of both the monetary reward and the Fields Medal, illustrating his disinterest in fame and fortune, which adds a human interest angle to the narrative of mathematical problem-solving.

💡Hodge Conjecture

The Hodge conjecture is another of the Millennium Prize Problems, focusing on algebraic geometry and the decomposition of complex shapes into simpler components. The video script briefly touches on this conjecture, likening it to building complex structures from smaller, less complicated shapes, and emphasizing its complexity and significance in the field of topology.

💡Elliptic Curves

Elliptic curves are mathematical curves defined by equations of the form y^2 = x^3 + ax + b. The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture, one of the Millennium Prize Problems, is related to these curves and concerns the number of rational points on an elliptic curve. The video script explains the importance of this conjecture in number theory and its connection to the Hasse-Weil L-function.

💡Yang-Mills Theory

The Yang-Mills existence and mass gap problem is the final Millennium Prize Problem discussed in the video script. It pertains to quantum field theory and the mathematical understanding of elementary particle interactions. The script explains the importance of the mass gap in the theoretical validation of the Yang-Mills theory, which is foundational to modern particle physics.

💡Brilliant.org

Brilliant.org is mentioned in the video script as a platform for learning mathematics and related fields through hands-on problem-solving. The script promotes the platform as a way to enhance critical thinking and build knowledge in mathematics, which is essential for understanding and potentially solving the Millennium Prize Problems.

Highlights

Introduction to the seven Millennium Prize Problems, each offering a $1 million reward for solutions.

The Riemann Hypothesis is considered one of the most important problems in mathematics, with implications for prime numbers and cryptography.

The mysterious nature of prime numbers and the lack of a discernible pattern, despite their widespread importance.

The Riemann Zeta Function and its relation to the distribution of prime numbers, as proposed by the German mathematician Riemann.

The statement of the Riemann Hypothesis regarding the zeros of the Zeta function and the real part of the complex number s.

The significance of proving the Riemann Hypothesis for advancing the study of prime numbers, despite not revealing a pattern itself.

The Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem, central to understanding fluid dynamics and its applications.

The beauty and complexity of the Navier-Stokes equations in describing fluid flow, from air over wings to ocean waves.

The challenge of proving the existence of smooth solutions for the Navier-Stokes equations in three-dimensional fluid flow.

The P versus NP problem, a fundamental question in computer science about the relationship between solvable and verifiable problems.

The Poincaré conjecture, the first Millennium Prize Problem to be solved, concerning the transformation of shapes in topology.

Grigori Perelman's refusal of the $1 million prize and Fields Medal, highlighting his disinterest in fame and fortune.

The Hodge conjecture, a complex problem in algebraic geometry involving the decomposition of shapes into simpler components.

The Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture, focusing on the number of rational points on elliptic curves and its importance in number theory.

The Yang-Mills existence and mass gap problem, foundational to elementary particle theory and the search for a theoretical understanding of mass.

The quantum Yang-Mills theory and its experimental validation, contrasting with the lack of a solid mathematical foundation.

Invitation for viewers to share their thoughts on the Millennium Prize Problems and which one they find most intriguing.

Transcripts

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there are seven problems in mathematics

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that if solved will not only earn you a

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place in the Hall of Fame within

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mathematics but also $1

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million in today's video I'm going to be

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explaining each of the seven problems

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and I'll also be making a separate

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videos on each of the seven problems

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with a little bit more detail and going

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into a bit more depth with those as well

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a bit of background on these problems

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you may have heard of them already as

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the Millennium prize problems and that's

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because they were established in the

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year 200000 by the clay Institute now

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because there's seven of them let's dive

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straight into the first one which is the

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rean hypothesis the rean hypothesis is

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actually one of the most famous out of

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the seven Millennium prize problems a

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lot of mathematicians say that this is

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the most important problem within

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mathematics and if we can solve it then

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this will open up a huge Gateway into a

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very specific branch of mathematics and

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that is prime numbers now before I dive

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into what the hypothesis is

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mathematicians actually believe or

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they're almost certain that it's true

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that this hypothesis that rean proposed

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is true and really we hope that it is

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because there are a lot of areas in

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different fields like cryptography that

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assume that this is true okay so what is

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the ran hypothesis and what on Earth

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does it have to do with prime numbers so

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firstly prime numbers if you're not

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aware a number is said to be a prime

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number if it is only divisible by itself

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and the number one so the number seven

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for example you cannot divide that by

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any other number other than seven and

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one you might think okay well let's

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think of different prime numbers that

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there are and you might think as with

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most things in mathematics and in life

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there would be a pattern to it but

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interestingly there actually isn't we

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don't have a pattern for prime numbers

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and if we did it would be absolutely

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groundbreaking because it is used in so

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many areas you know not within just

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mathematics but so many different areas

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as well so we as mathematicians would

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love if we could find this pattern if

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there is one that is so that's an

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overview on prime numbers and why

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they're important but what has that got

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to do with the ran hypothesis so the

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very famous German mathematician reman

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noticed that the frequency of prime

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numbers was very closely related to this

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formula here which is Zeta as a function

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of s equals the sum from Nal 1 to

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Infinity of 1/ n the^ s so this written

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out would look like 1 + 1 1^ s + 1/ 2 ^

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s+ 1 over 3 ^ s and so on and so forth

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now this function is very famous it's

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known as the rean zeta function and

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there's one slight subtlety with this

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the number s here is complex which makes

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it a whole lot more complicated in

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solving now going on from this function

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oer actually discovered a relation to

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this this rean zeta function and it says

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that Zeta of s is actually the product

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of P where p is prime now the product

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means it's a multiplication rather than

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a sum rather than adding so you multiply

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rather than add and it's the product of

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1/ 1 - p^ - s where p is a prime number

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now the rean hypothesis itself says well

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when is this rean zeta function equal to

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zero and he proposed that it's only ever

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equal to zero when the real part of the

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complex number s is equal to a half and

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that is Ran's hypothesis now it hasn't

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been proved but it has been

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experimentally tested for the first I

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think 10 trillion Solutions and it's

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true it's always a half but obviously

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all it would take is one counter example

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to say the real part of the complex

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number is actually not a half although

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10 trillion of the solutions have shown

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to be true all it takes is one counter

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example to disprove that so we really

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need someone to show a proof of this and

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to show that yes this function does

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equal zero when the real part of s is a

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half and for me it's a very beautiful

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Millennium prize problem and I can see

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why it's a lot of people's favorit now

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the final thing to mention before I move

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on to the next millennium prize problem

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is that proving ran hypothesis is not

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going to show this pattern in prime

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numbers it's it's not going to do do

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that unfortunately and I think a lot of

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people get confused with that and they

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think that's what it's going to do but

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actually if we prove rumors hypothesis

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that in itself is going to open a whole

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new gateway to further development and

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further advancement in prime numbers so

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if we prove this it will open up the

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chance to then hopefully find a pattern

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amongst prime numbers which yeah I I

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think is absolutely incredible the

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second Millennium prize problem that I'm

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going to talk about today is the Navia

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Stokes existence and smoothness problem

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now I might be slightly biased in saying

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that this is my favorite Millennium

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prize problem and that's just because I

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specialized in fluid dynamics so what is

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Navia Stokes what what are they the

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Navia Stokes equations essentially

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describe fluid flow so that could be air

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traveling over an aircraft's wing it

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could be honey trickling off a spoon it

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could be the waves in the ocean anything

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that's a fluid these Navia Stokes

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equations describe that I'm going to

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show you an image of what these

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equations look like and to those of you

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that don't know Vector calculus they

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might look quite daunting but for me I

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just think they are so beautiful that

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there are just some very small set of

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equations that will describe fluid

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anywhere on Earth although they describe

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it incredibly well the understanding of

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these equations is incomplete there are

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certain areas within fluid mechanics

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like turbulence Breeze and all sorts of

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stuff like that that we don't fully

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understand yet and that's a huge part of

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what the Navia Stokes existence and

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smoothness problem is is getting that

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deeper understanding of these equations

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and seeing if there's anything else that

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remains hidden with these equations now

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I personally think it's honestly insane

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I remember watching the film gifted if

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anyone has seen the film gifted

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fantastic film I've done a video

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actually explaining some of the matths

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in that film and the woman in the film

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solved this problem this Millennium

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prize problem and I remember watching

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this when I was younger and I was just

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fascinated and I went to University

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wanting to specialize in fluid dynamics

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because I was like I really want to go

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solve the Millennium prize problems or

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be it quite a a stretch yeah I I just I

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thought it was a fantastic film and ever

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since then I've kind of been locked in

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on on how cool fluid dynamics is so yeah

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if anyone is interested in fluid

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mechanics definitely get involved in it

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I really really love it and if you go on

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to do research you might end up solving

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this problem uh which is the navio

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Stokes existence and smoothness problem

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now it's not just getting this basic

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understanding of the Navia Stokes

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equations but some very simple

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applications of the Navia Stokes

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equations have yet to be proved for a

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three-dimensional system with some

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initial conditions mathematicians have

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actually never proved that a smooth

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solution exists and neither have they

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found a counter example this is a kind

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of a very basic problem is is a

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three-dimensional fluid flow and yeah

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math Ians haven't been able to prove

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that a smooth solution always exists or

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found any counter examples to suggest

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otherwise so although it seems like

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quite a simple problem it's immensely

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complex and that will be a huge part to

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play in hopefully solving the Millennium

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prize problems and being able to

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understand more about fluid flow in our

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world and within engineering as well

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Millennium problem number three this is

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known as the P versus NP problem now you

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may have heard of this because it's

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related to computer systems what P

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versus NP means is p is a problem that

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is solvable so it can be solved in what

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is known as polinomial time and NP is a

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problem that can be verified or checked

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so it's easy to verify or easy to check

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and this is where the debate between if

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a problem is easy to check is it

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solvable and vice versa now if we think

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of P for a moment so a problem that's

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solvable everything in P is therefore in

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NP because if we can solve a problem we

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can also check it we can also verify it

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then comes the question well is p equal

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to NP so it encompasses everything so a

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problem that is easy to solve is always

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easy to verify or is there some case

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where something that's in NP is not in P

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now this might sound incredibly

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complicated and that's because it is I

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remember watching the series numbers and

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there's a part where the kind of

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mathematician is trying to solve P

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versus NP and I think his professor or

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somebody comes in and says you you're

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never going to solve it so it's

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something in mathematics that although

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mathematicians believe P does not equal

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NP the proof of it would be absolutely

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groundbreaking so it's a really really

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cool concept and I personally really

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like it because I'm a tech nerd and I

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love anything to do with computer

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systems so I find this really really

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cool Millennium problem number four is

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the panare conjecture and apologies if I

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pronounced that incorrectly so this is

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the first of the seven Millennium prize

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problems to have been solved and I think

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the story behind the mathematician

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himself who solved it is is quite

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incredible really and I'll be getting on

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to that in just a moment but firstly

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what is this conjecture so this problem

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is to do with topology now as a

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background about topology it's

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essentially to do with shapes but it

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doesn't concern itself with distances

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what panker said was if you have an

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object that has no holes in it and it's

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finite it can always be made into a

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sphere so as an example everyone at home

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just imagine you have some sort of

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object made out of Play-Doh and you

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count the number of holes in it you know

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you might have pierced it or it might be

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say a teacup that's got a hole with the

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handle and what I want you to do is try

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and somehow in your head think about how

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you could make that into a sphere now

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there are conditions with this you

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cannot cut so you can't cut your object

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you cannot glue together and you cannot

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close any holes now the question is can

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you make that into a sphere so typically

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if you chose okay I'm going to have a

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cube like I said you can squish that

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down into sphere and that worked whereas

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if you have a donut for example the only

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way to make a sphere from that donut is

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to close that hole to squish it together

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or you could cut it and somehow mold it

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together but you're not allowed to do

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that so therefore because you had a hole

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in it you cannot make a sphere and

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that's essentially the concept behind

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the panare conjecture now panare himself

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extended this to higher Dimensions which

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when you think about in your head it

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hurts your brain quite a bit but you

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know we can think of 3D and we can look

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at 3D objects and it's easy to visually

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see that but when you go to higher

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Dimensions it's much more complicated

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and essentially panker himself extended

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his theory about spheres to higher

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Dimensions the mathematician who solved

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this Millennium prize problem was called

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gregori perelman and he has a a

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fantastic quote behind this he actually

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didn't accept the $1 million

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and he was also awarded a Fields medal

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which if you don't know is huge it's

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like the Nobel Prize for mathematics he

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was awarded this and he rejected it and

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he also rejected the million dollars and

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he said in a quote I'm not interested in

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money or fame I don't want to be on

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display like an animal in a zoo I'm not

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a hero of mathematics I'm not even that

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successful that is why I don't want to

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have everybody looking at me which I

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just I mean I was just so sad when I

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read that because I I understand you

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know he he probably just does math cuz

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he loves maths he's just proven a

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millennium priz problem which is is

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absolutely insane talk about modesty at

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its highest so yeah that was the pon

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conjecture and the only Millennium prize

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problem so far to have been solved now

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to solve a millennium prize problem you

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of course need to know a lot about

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mathematics and if you're watching this

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and you want to learn more about

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mathematics or maybe you already have a

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good background in mathematics but you

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still want to learn more then I would

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recommend checking out brilliant.org

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brilliant is a platform where you learn

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by doing with thousands of courses in

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maths data analysis programming and even

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AI each lesson is filled with Hands-On

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problem solving that let you play with

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Concepts which is a method that's proven

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to be six times more effective than

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simply watching lecture videos brilliant

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not only helps you build your critical

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thinking but also helps you build

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knowledge little by little each day my

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personal favorite courses on their site

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are the programming course and their

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course on how LL work both absolutely

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fascinating to try out these courses as

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well as everything else that brilliant

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has to offer for free for a full 30 days

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then visit brilliant.org

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slome or click on the link in the

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description and you'll also get 20% off

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brilliant's annual premium subscription

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we're continuing with the theme of

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topology with Millennium prize number

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five which is known as the Hodge

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conjecture now this is a very very

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complicated conjecture and I'm going to

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be explaining it in very very brief

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terms because is yeah incredibly

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complicated but again like I said

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subscribe for a very deep dive on this

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Millennium prize problem in very simple

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terms the Hodge conjecture concerns

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itself with very complicated shapes in

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geometry and says well can we decompose

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that shape into smaller less complicated

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shapes it's kind of like Lego where you

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have the building blocks to make

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something that's absolutely insane Dr

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Tom Crawford mentioned that in his

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lecture that he did on this and I

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thought that was really nice way of

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thinking about the hod conjecture and

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and how I personally remember it so in

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essence it's saying can we build

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complicated things with smaller things

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now like I said topology concerns itself

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with the shape of something rather than

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the distance between two points on an

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object so like I said we can have a

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square and that can be molded into a

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sphere now interestingly I mentioned a

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donut but a doughnut can actually be

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shaped into a teacup now that's because

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a teacup has one hole with the handle

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and a donut has one hole in the middle

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so the two can be formed together in

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topology and therefore they are classed

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as the same in topology just like a cube

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and a sphere are classed as the same now

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when you move between different objects

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that are classes the same in topology

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you have what is known as an invariant

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and that is something that doesn't

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change now it's very hard to explain

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this conjecture in simple terms because

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it is just so so complex but it has a

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lot to do with invariance it essentially

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has to do with understanding a very

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specific type of invariant which is

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something that doesn't change that is

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known as the cohomology class and it's

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way too complicated to explain in two

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minutes so I'll be making a deeper dive

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video on it and hopefully explain what

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it's all about so that was the Hodge

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conjecture now we're moving on to

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Millennium problem number six and that

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is known as the Birch and Swinton d

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conjecture in mathematics we would be

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right in saying that mathematicians have

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long been obsessed with equations you

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know all you have to do is look at

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Pythagoras's equation and date that back

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to when that was first established

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mathematicians love equations and this

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conjecture itself is focused on what are

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known as elliptic equations so elliptic

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equations they take the form y^2 = X Cub

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+ a x + B elliptic equations produce

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some beautiful curves that are known as

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elliptic curves and that's basically

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what this conjecture is about the

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conjecture says okay well how many

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rational points are there on this

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elliptic curve so how many fractional

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points are there for both X and Y when

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you take a specific point so we could do

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this very monotonously and just take

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points everywhere on the curve which

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would be very very long infinitely long

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actually when you think about it and uh

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the question of the conjecture is well

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how how many are there how many of them

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are fractional points for both X and Y

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the trick to understanding this

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conjecture is by the hassa feel L

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function which is too complicated again

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to go into detail on the maths behind it

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in this video but what it's used for is

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say you have an elliptic curve you can

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use this L function to figure out if

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there are infinitely many fractional

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points or finitely many so that in

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itself is very useful but this

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conjecture is huge in number Theory and

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is known as one of the hardest problems

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to solve which makes sense as to why

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it's a millennium prize problem so that

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was the Millennium problem number six

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number seven is known as the Yang Mills

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existence and mass Gap almost half a

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century ago Yang and Mills discovered a

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new remarkable framework to describe

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Elementary particles using structures

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that also arise in Geometry The quantum

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Yang Mills theory is now the foundation

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for most of the elementary particle

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theory and its predictions have been

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tested at many experimental Laboratories

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but unfortunately the mathematical

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understanding is still unclear and

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that's what the Millennium prize problem

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is about it's about understanding this

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Theory now to successfully use this Yang

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Mills Theory there is one thing that is

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needed and that is known as the mass Gap

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this property has been discovered by

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physicists using both experimental work

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and through computers but unfortunately

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the theoretical side of things is yet to

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be established and that is why it's such

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a huge problem and why it is a

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millennium prize problem arguably one of

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the hardest and one of the most

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fundamental when it comes to physics

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again the Yang Mills theory is

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incredibly complicated just like all of

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the previous six Millennium prize

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problems so if you're interested I'll be

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doing a deep dive on it in a separate

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video but that was the final Millennium

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prize problem and honestly I'd love to

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know what everyone's thoughts are on all

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of them which one you think is your

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favorite comment down below your

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favorite thank you so much for watching

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and I'll see you all in the next one

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Related Tags
Millennium ProblemsMathematicsRiemann HypothesisNavier-StokesP vs NPPerelmanTopologyFluid DynamicsHodge ConjectureElliptic CurvesYang-Mills Theory