ON THE CUTTING EDGE: Tits And Wits

 

Mathematicians Jacques Tits of France and John Griggs Thompson of the U.S. are this year’s recipients of the Abel Prize for their work in algebra and group theory, reports Reuters. Named for the Norwegian 19th-century mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, the award is thought of as equivalent to a Nobel prize in mathematics. Science magazine explains, “Both winners helped to advance a branch of mathematics called group theory, which allows mathematicians to describe different kinds of symmetry--including that which governs a Rubik's cube.” The two mathematicians will share the prize of 6 million Norwegian kroner ($1.2 million). As The Heel – a bit of an egghead himself – puckishly points out, “This is no booby prize.”

Posted by The Stiletto at March 31, 2008
Categories: On The Cutting Edge
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this post
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)
Page: 1 of 1
Page: 1 of 1
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Name (required)

 Email (will not be published) (required)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.