The legend of question six
Authors
Arico, John
Date
5/2/2019
Type
text
images
poster
images
poster
Language
en_US
Keywords
Mathematics
Alternative Title
Abstract
Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 2019
Description
The final question 1988 International Math Olympiad in Melbourne Australia, presented to the world's best and brightest young minds, would evolve to become one of most difficult questions in Mathematics. Of the 260 participants, only eleven were able to solve Question Six perfectly in the given amount of time, proving too difficult even for future Field's Medalist Terence Tao. Question Six simply states "Let a and b be positive integers such that ab + 1 divides a2 + b2. Show that the resulting integer is a perfect square." This research explores a definitive solution to the infamous question, and features questions utilizing a similar train of thought, featuring an emergent proof technique that is new to the world of Mathematics.
Citation
Publisher
Plymouth State University