Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

But wouldn't those teenagers have higher chance and assistance in studying higher math compared to peers? (Though being sole paper author is a bit strange.)

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#5

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:10 PM UTC

citizenpaul wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

[deleted]

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#6

Post by bawolff » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:11 PM UTC

citizenpaul wrote: post #2

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People learn from mentors. Its not that surprising and doesn't neccesarily imply the parent did it. The parents probably did help by teaching them math.

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#7

Post by strikelaserclaw » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:11 PM UTC

citizenpaul wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

both his parents are mathematicians and his uncle is a fields medal winner and his grandfather is a mathematician. I'm sure this kid is very intelligent, and i could even believe he solved most of the problem himself but in the end of the article stating "“He did all this without an undergraduate education,” Grantham said." made me roll my eyes.

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#8

Post by kevinventullo » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:12 PM UTC

jklinger410 wrote: post #3

citizenpaul wrote: post #2

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You are 100% correct. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Larsen

His mother is also a mathematician, and his uncle is a Fields Medalist.

That said, I disagree with OP that this suggests his parents secretly did this work. Rather, it tells me that being surrounded by great mathematicians at a young age is going to foster success in those with raw talent much more effectively than, I dunno, attending some “gifted” program at a typical public school.

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#9

Post by kevinventullo » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:13 PM UTC

strikelaserclaw wrote: post #7

citizenpaul wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

both his parents are mathematicians and his uncle is a fields medal winner and his grandfather is a mathematician. I'm sure this kid is very intelligent, and i could even believe he solved most of the problem himself but in the end of the article stating "“He did all this without an undergraduate education,” Grantham said." made me roll my eyes.

I mean it sounds like he has already received the equivalent of an undergraduate education.

Re: Teenager solves stubborn riddle about prime number look-alikes

#10

Post by strikelaserclaw » Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 5:15 PM UTC

kevinventullo wrote: post #9

strikelaserclaw wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

both his parents are mathematicians and his uncle is a fields medal winner and his grandfather is a mathematician. I'm sure this kid is very intelligent, and i could even believe he solved most of the problem himself but in the end of the article stating "“He did all this without an undergraduate education,” Grantham said." made me roll my eyes.

I mean it sounds like he has already received the equivalent of an undergraduate education.

thats exactly what i mean, they made it sound like this kid was some average guy who at the age of 15 went to the public library, read books and solved some hard math problem. I bet this kid had an advanced math education and math immersion since he was a toddler.