Re:A fleet of computers helps settle a 90-year-old math problem
by smabie on Thursday August 27, 2020 @02:17AM
(#24290623)
For math as an art form (a lot of theoretical math), are computer aided proofs destroying the core value of the endeavor?
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Re:A fleet of computers helps settle a 90-year-old math problem
by ogogmad on Thursday August 27, 2020 @04:19AM
(#24291252)
I guess the problem with many Computer Assisted Proofs is that they don't explain "why" something is true, only that something is true. But if that's the best you can do, then it's certainly better than nothing.
Also, advances in CAPs can have applications outside of pure maths.
Finally, CAPs are not common enough - or viable enough in most cases - to make a dent in the practice of pure maths. At least that's the impression I get.
Re:A fleet of computers helps settle a 90-year-old math problem
by kevinventullo on Thursday August 27, 2020 @12:41PM
(#24295481)
I think one could only claim destruction if there was evidence that other forms of math were in decline due to computer-aided proofs.
As much as we hear about computer-aided proofs and theorem proving software here on HN, these topics are still somewhat niche in mathematics as a whole.
Re:A fleet of computers helps settle a 90-year-old math problem
by FartyMcFarter on Thursday August 27, 2020 @05:18AM
(#24291613)
The article explains that the translation from the original problem to the computer-checked problem was quite ingenious.
Turning a problem about continuous space to a graph problem, and then using a computer to check the graph problem does not kill much (or any) of the art form I would think.
Re:A fleet of computers helps settle a 90-year-old math problem
by throwaway_pdp09 on Thursday August 27, 2020 @04:33AM
(#24291332)
I guess if a human can't do it and a computer can, then no, it's not. What would be the other side to that argument?