Old mathematical challenges: Precedents to the millennium problems

Authors

  • Sergio Segura de León University of Valencia (Spain).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.0.9076

Keywords:

cubic equation, Cardano–Tartaglia formula, brachistochrone, Hilbert’s problems, continuum hypothesis

Abstract

The Millennium Problems set out by the Clay Mathematics Institute became a stimulus for mathematical research. The aim of this article is to highlight some previous challenges that were also a stimulus to finding proof for some interesting results. With this pretext, we present three moments in the history of mathematics that were important for the development of new lines of research. We briefly analyse the Tartaglia challenge, which brought about the discovery of a formula for third degree equations; Johan Bernoulli’s problem of the curve of fastest descent, which originated the calculus of variations; and the incidence of the problems posed by David Hilbert in 1900, focusing on the first problem in the list: the continuum hypothesis.

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Author Biography

Sergio Segura de León, University of Valencia (Spain).

PhD in Mathematics from the University of Valencia (Spain). He furthered his academic career at the Department of Mathematical Analysis in the same institution, where he is currently a professor. His research focuses on nonlinear partial differential equations.

References

Boyer, C. B. (1989). A history of mathematics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Dunham, W. (1990). Journey through genius. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Hilbert, D. (1902). Mathematical problems. Bulletin of the American Mathe­matical Society, 8, 437–479. doi: 10.1090/S0002-9904-1902-00923-3

Kline, M. (1972). Mathematical thought from ancient to modern times. New York: Oxford University Press.

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Additional Files

Published

2018-06-05

How to Cite

Segura de León, S. (2018). Old mathematical challenges: Precedents to the millennium problems. Metode Science Studies Journal, (8), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.0.9076
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Issue

Making science: A multitude of perspectives (2018)

Section

The millennium problems. Challenges to further mathematics

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