NP?Hilbert in L.A. Times

[Steve Maas]

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http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-gouvea29dec29,1,3520845.story

Steve Maas

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What's It Do? Nothing, but Mathematicians Relish the Quest
Although proving theorems usually doesn't add up to anything practical, the 
intellectual allure is powerful
By Fernando Q. Gouvêa

[excerpt]

In the 20th century, much effort was directed at solving the "Hilbert 
Problems." German mathematician David Hilbert listed these at the 
International Congress of Mathematicians in 1900 as prime targets for 
mathematical research. Most of the problems, which were more like broad 
questions than like the problems one finds in textbooks, had no direct 
applicability. Can arithmetic contradict itself? Can one find a general 
method to figure out whether it is possible to find whole-number solutions 
to equations? Is every even number the sum of two prime numbers? Hilbert's 
personal prestige guaranteed that solving one of his problems would 
establish one's fame.

The Clay Mathematics Institute has followed Hilbert's lead in the 21st 
century, even putting up some prize money: $1 million for the solution of 
each of seven mathematical problems. Of the seven, two are related to 
physics, one comes from computer science and the other four are purely 
mathematical. One of the latter four (asking for a proof of the "Riemann 
Hypothesis," which, if true, will help in the understanding of prime 
numbers) was also on Hilbert's list, reminding us that sometimes a century 
of work isn't enough.

Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times

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