The Millennium Problems: The Seven Greatest Unsolved Mathematical Puzzles of Our Time - Hardcover

Subtitled 'The Seven Greatest Unsolved Mathematical Problems of Our Time', Devlin's book is the purest brain food. In 2000, the Clay Foundation of Massachusetts announced a historic competition: Whoever could solve any of seven extraordinarily difficult mathematical problems, and have the solution acknowledged as correct by the experts, would receive $1m. The solutions, if any, to the so-called Millennium Problems will play a strong role in determining the course of mathematics in the current century. They encompass many of the most fascinating areas of pure and applied mathematics, from topology and number theory to particle physics, computing and even aircraft design. Devlin describes what the seven problems are, how they came about, and what they mean for mathematics and science. In the hands of Devlin, each problem becomes a fascinating window onto the deepest questions in the field.

In 2000, the Clay Foundation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced a historic competition: whoever could solve any of seven extraodinarily difficult mathematical problems, and have the solution acknowledged as correct by the experts, would receive $1million in prize money. The solutions, if any, to the so-called Milliennium Problems would play a strong role in determining the course of mathematics in the 21st century. They encompass many of the most fascinating areas of pure and applied mathematics, from topology and number theory to particle physics, cryptography, computing and even aircraft design. Keith Devlin describes here what the seven problems are, how they came about, and what they mean for mathematics and science. In the hands of Devlin, each Millennium Problem becomes a window onto the deepest questions in the field.