Caltech Mathematicians Solved a 175-Year-Old Math Problem

ByLA STARTUPS

In a stunning turn of events, two Caltech mathematicians have finally solved a 175-year-old math problem that has confounded researchers for generations. The proof was posted online in September 2021 by Alex Dunn and Maksym Radziwill, who worked tirelessly for several years to finally crack the code.

This math problem, known as the Gauss sum, was first stumbled upon by German mathematician Ernst Kummer in the early 1800s. At one point, the quirky feature of number theory was thought to be false, but then researchers found hints that it may actually be true.

After years of frustrating dead ends, Dunn and Radziwill finally found the key to solving the mystery. Their proof has been met with acclaim by the math community, and finally puts to rest one of the oldest unsolved problems in mathematics.

This activity uses modular arithmetic, which is a type of math that deals with remainders. An easy way to understand it is by thinking of a clock face divided into 12 hours. For example, when it’s noon or midnight, the numbers go back to 1 instead of continuing to count up forever. This “modulo 12” system makes timekeeping simpler since we don’t have to keep track of every single hour.

Modular arithmetic can be applied to any number, not just 12. In the case of the Gauss sum, the modular arithmetic is done modulo p, where p is a prime number. This means that when we divide the sum by p, we’re only interested in the remainder.

The proof by Dunn and Radziwill is a significant breakthrough in the world of mathematics, and will likely lead to new discoveries in the field for years to come. Who knows what other secrets this 175-year-old math problem has yet to reveal?

Website |  + posts

LAStartups.com is a digital lifestyle publication that covers the culture of startups and technology companies in Los Angeles. It is the go-to site for people who want to keep up with what matters in Los Angeles’ tech and startups from those who know the city best.

Related Posts

What We Know About Google Parent Company Alphabet's Acquisition of HubSpotWhat We Know About Google Parent Company Alphabet's Acquisition of HubSpot
What We Know About Google Parent Company...
In case you missed it, the tech world has been...
Read more
LAStartups.com rebranding with new logoLAStartups.com rebranding with new logo
Embracing Change: LAStartups.com Unveils New Logo Reflecting...
LAStartups.com, a central hub for tech startups in the City...
Read more
Google Search Introduces AI-Powered Grammar Checker
Google has recently incorporated a new feature into its Search...
Read more
Newlight Completes US$125M In New Equity Round...
Huntington Beach-based startup, Newlight Technologies, Inc., a pioneering company in...
Read more
OpenAI Introduces a Series of Significant ChatGPT...
OpenAI, the organization behind the renowned generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT,...
Read more
TikTok's "Gimme The Mic": A New Platform...
TikTok, the globally renowned social media platform, has recently unveiled...
Read more
CVS Health To Lay Off Thousands by...
CVS Health, a leading American healthcare company, has recently announced...
Read more
Google Assistant Undergoes AI Transformation
In a recent development, Google Assistant is set to receive...
Read more
YouTube Star MrBeast Sues Over 'Inedible' Burgers
Popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has filed...
Read more
Reed Jobs Launches $200 Million Venture Fund...
Reed Jobs, the son of the late Steve Jobs and...
Read more
Arrive Recommerce, Inc. Secures $16M in Series...
Santa Monica-based startup, Arrive Recommerce, Inc., a technology company that...
Read more
Stack Overflow Leaps into Generative AI with...
Stack Overflow, the renowned platform for developers, is disrupting its...
Read more
Futureverse Secures $54 Million in Series A...
The LA-based startup, Futureverse, a leading AI and metaverse technology...
Read more
KOMI Raises $12 Million in Funding Round,...
LA-based startup, KOMI, a creator commerce tool that has been...
Read more
Shopify Unveils Sidekick: A ChatGPT-like Tool for...
Shopify, a leading e-commerce platform, has announced the launch of...
Read more
Spotify's Financial Struggles: More Layoffs on the...
In a recent earnings call, Spotify's co-founder and CEO, Daniel...
Read more
TikTok Diversifies: Introduces Text-Only Posts Amidst Intensifying...
In a bid to stay competitive in the escalating battle...
Read more
Twitter's Identity Crisis: The Unexpected Rebranding to...
Twitter, the globally recognized social media platform, has significantly rebranded....
Read more
Apple Dips into Conversational AI Waters with...
Apple Inc., the global titan in technology, has now turned...
Read more
Meta Releases Llama 2 Open-Source AI Model
Today, Facebook's parent company Meta has announced the launch of...
Read more
C-Quester: The Pioneering Startup Transforming Carbon Capture
The startup C-Quester, founded by Caltech Ph.D. student Alan Gu...
Read more