08/11/2022
Source of information: Daily Science and Technology
Text: Zhang Galen|
Publisher: Yan Yuan | Responsible editor: Zhiyuan
Zhang Yitang had hardly any opening comments and went straight to the topic as soon as he opened his mouth. “Let’s introduce what Landau-Siegel Zero is.”
This is an open academic report for Peking University teachers, students and audience. On the morning of November 8, Zhang Yitang, a Chinese-American mathematician and professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, described his online research process to prove the Landau-Siegel zero conjecture.
There was a blackboard standing next to Zhang Yitang, and there was another one close at hand. He didn’t use PPT, whiteboards, markers and erasers were all his presentation tools. He wrote while he talked, erasing when he was full.
On November 7, 2022, Yitang Zhang republished his article on the Landau-Siegel Zero Conjecture – “Landau-Siegel Zero and Discrete Mean Estimates”, the paper published on the arXiv prepress site.
In mid-October, Zhang Yitang revealed at Peking University’s Greater New York alumni meeting that he had essentially solved the Landau-Siegel zero point (conjecture) problem. Since then, the result has attracted widespread attention.
In 2013, Zhang Yitang took a step forward in solving the century’s “prime twin conjecture” problem. Some people say that if he can make Landau Siegel zero, it is equivalent to a person being struck by lightning twice.
Zhang Yitang said at the beginning of the report that many people don’t do number theory and don’t understand what this problem is solving. Some people think the Riemann hypothesis is disproved. “I don’t have this ability, I only partially solve the Riemann hypothesis within a certain range. It should be correct.”
If the generalized Riemann conjecture is believed, the Landau-Siegel zero should not exist. The Landau-Siegel null conjecture states that the Landau-Siegel null does not exist. Zhang Yitang said his work has basically proved the Landau-Siegel zero point conjecture, but the work can continue to improve. Once the Landau-Siegel zero point conjecture is proven, many new discoveries can be made, simplifying and reinforcing many results of classical number theory.
For most ordinary people, Zhang Yitang’s speech is not easy to understand. Although he used two blackboards to present his ideas of him. “My article still needs some revisions and additions and some simplifications,” he said in response to questions.
I listened to his whole lecture. I almost forgot any advanced knowledge of mathematics and, after hearing it, I was like a cloud. But a metaphor from Zhang Yitang is interesting. He said that to prove the zero point conjecture, for so many years, he searched like a needle in a haystack, but the needle was not found. But in the process, he discovered the topography of the seabed and eventually found that he could achieve his goal without the needle.
Previously, Zhang Yitang presented an online report to Shandong University teachers and students, after which the school held an academic salon with the theme “Tradition and Innovation” on Professor Zhang Yitang’s research process.
Zhang Yitang told the salon that Peking University’s rigorous study style had a profound influence on him and all he could do was inherit this tradition. “Sometimes it is more important to ask yourself, what is the meaning of the knowledge you have learned? I mean that the meaning is in mathematics, where it can be used or what role it plays. Sometimes you ask this question more, learning can only be solidly done. ” He said the math needs to be thorough, but sometimes when you don’t know how to go on, it’s best to stop for a while, go back to square one and ask yourself what you want It’s the “don’t forget the original intention” that is said often now, which is very helpful throughout your research.
Zhang Yitang is considered a “legendary mathematician”. There are many presentations about him online. The first half of his life was difficult and unknown, and it was only at the age of nearly 60 that he became famous. Indeed, for Zhang Yitang, the Landau-Siegel zero point conjecture is the “big problem” he has decided to study since his youth. On the contrary, the research on the twin primes that gave him great fame was a “lateral flight” in a long insistence.
Now, his long-term focus on advancing the Landau-Siegel zero point conjecture has finally made significant progress.
In the academic part, not much is understood, but there are some things in common.
As Tian Gang, an academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Beijing International Mathematical Research Center at Peking University, stated at the beginning of the report: “The mathematical spirit of our Peking University lies in the pure love of mathematical truth. , but also in self-confidence and self-improvement, daring to challenge big problems, moreover, even in the face of adversity, he never gives up and perseveres in his efforts.Professor Zhang Yitang interprets the spirit of the mathematicians of the University of Beijing by example, which is admirable. I hope the new generations here can be like Professor Zhang Yitang, on the path of academia and life. Remain pure and loving, always confident and courageous. “
Original link:This is a live broadcast that I don’t understand and want to hear
