Great Country Academician

"What is the meaning of mathematics?"

"This question may be difficult to answer for many people, and many people believe that mathematics is the foundation of other natural and applied sciences."

"Although it is difficult to say which of these inventions came directly from mathematics, starting in the 18th century, we developed branches of mathematics such as ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, variational calculus, and function theory, and used them to study mechanics —Including physical problems and engineering problems in fluid mechanics and elasticity, thermal science, electromagnetics, etc., promoting the development of these disciplines."

“Historically, there have been very few scholars who can integrate mathematics with other disciplines and skillfully use mathematical tools to solve problems in various disciplines such as mathematics, physics, astronomy, and materials.”

"Although he is still quite young, every achievement he has made in the field of applied mathematics is a treasure of our civilization!"

On the lecture table, Professor Kenig was narrating slowly.

Thousands of listeners listened attentively under the lecture stage. At this point, it can be said that every scholar who came to attend the conference knew very well who would win the Gauss Prize this year.

"Shet, such a young Gauss Prize!"

Staring at the lecture table, a scholar who came to attend the conference at his own expense cursed somewhat sourly.

Next to him, another scholar shrugged and said, "But besides him, who else is more deserving of this Gauss Prize?"

Explore mathematical calculation methods for high-energy particle channels, mathematical methods for calculating distant galaxies and celestial bodies, control methods for high-temperature plasma turbulence, and material calculation models.

Every name like this, given to others, can be said to be an achievement that can be proud of for a lifetime.

But for him, such achievements can almost be counted on one hand.

If the Gauss Prize is not given to him, who else is more deserving of this award in the field of applied mathematics?

"But this is too young. The Gauss Prize is a lifetime achievement award. There are many scholars lining up to wait for this award."

"for example?"

"For example." The sour scholar thought for a moment and said, "For example, Professor Elliott Hershel Lieb, who has made profound mathematical contributions to the fields of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, computational chemistry, and quantum information theory. .”

The scholar next to him shook his head slightly and said: "It is undeniable that Elliot's contribution to mathematics as professor is undeniable, but in comparison, he is more than a star and a half behind Professor Xu's achievements."

The sour scholar retorted: "No, I do not deny that Professor Xu's achievements are great. What I mean is that he is still so young, so it is not impossible to wait a little longer. Compared to him, other scholars need it more. This medal.”

"Then when do you think it is more appropriate to give him this medal? Three years? Or five years?"

"When did the academic world, or the mathematical world, need to think as much as you do? For a mathematics award, considering whether a scholar is excellent or not, only his contribution to the academic world will be considered."

“Does the winner’s age, nationality, skin color, gender, or even political background and stance have any use in the mathematics community?”

"If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't work. If even a scholar who has truly solved so many problems can't get the honor he deserves, then is this award still necessary?"

Shaking his head, the scholar stopped paying attention to the people around him.

Perhaps in other fields, academic awards often consider these things.

For example, for the Nobel Prize, which is regarded as supreme in the academic world, age and even nationality and skin color are often considered by the selection committee.

But academia is where results speak for themselves after all, especially in the world of mathematics.

Although there is only one word difference between yes and no, the gap between the two is wider than heaven and earth.

On the reporting table, Professor Kennegg's speech had come to an end. He took a deep breath and announced:

"The winner of this year's Gauss Prize is"

"Xuchuan!"

The moment the words fell, thunderous applause burst out in the huge lecture hall, one after another like a tidal wave.

For most of the scholars here today, it is absolutely a matter of course that this name won the Gauss Prize.

Although there are a very few people who feel that it is premature to award him the Gauss Prize, which has some lifelong nature, at such a young stage, this view is basically due to the nature of the Gauss Prize.

As for whether this name deserves the Gauss Prize, I am afraid that no one among the thousands of people here today will doubt this fact.

Standing up amidst warm applause, Xu Chuan took a deep breath, walked steadily to the podium, and took the golden medal from Professor Kenig's hand.

"We meet again, Professor Xu. Congratulations on setting a new record."

After gently handing the medal in his hand to Xu Chuan, the old professor showed a friendly smile and stretched out his hand to shake it.

Looking at the entire distribution of the Gauss Prize, there has never been a scholar under the age of thirty who has received this award.

The Gauss Prize is the highest award in the field of applied mathematics. It was established in memory of Carl Friedrich Gauss. It is mainly used to reward those who have made achievements in applied mathematics.

Most scholars are already quite great if they have a profound mathematical foundation in a certain application field throughout their lives.

But the scholar in front of him, who is even younger than his granddaughter, has applied mathematics to various fields such as physics, astronomy, materials, etc., and each of his achievements is worthy of a Gauss Prize.

As the audience in the audience said, if even a scholar who has truly solved so many problems cannot get the honor he deserves, then there is no need for this award to exist at all.

After putting on the medal, Xu Chuan smiled, shook hands with Professor Kenig in front of him, and said 'thank you'.

"This is the medal you deserve. I just hope you will regard it as an encouragement to you, rather than an achievement. I wish you to reach new heights and create more miracles in your future academic career!"

Kenig reached out and patted him on the shoulder, his words filled with joy and joy.

Xu Chuan smiled and nodded, saying: "Thank you for your compliment, I will keep it in mind."

Kenig laughed, and then said: "Young scholar, go down first, we will meet again later."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan was slightly stunned.

What does this mean?

Will he be awarded an award later?

Lilavati Award? Or the Radzhinskaya Prize?

As for the Chen Shengshen Award or the Abacus Award, he didn't consider it.

Although the former does not stipulate the age of the winner like the Fields Medal, all living natural persons, regardless of age or occupation, are eligible to receive the medal.

But it is recognized in the mathematics community as a veritable lifetime achievement award.

Awarded to a person whose achievements must be recognized at the highest level and who have achieved outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics.

The IMU will not and cannot award the Chen Shengshen Award to him now, at least until he is sixty or seventy years old.

The latter’s original name was the ‘Nevalina Prize’, which was awarded to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to mathematics in the field of information science.

It is impossible for him to win this award, after all, he has not achieved anything in the field of information science.

If there will be an award given to him next, it will only be between the Lilavati Award or the Radzhinskaya Award.

What could it be?

I have to say that Xu Chuan's curiosity was really aroused by the 'old man' in front of him.

Although the Lilavati Award or the Radzhinskaya Award are newly established awards, they are not as good as the original four awards in terms of honor.

But if a person can win two awards at an International Congress of Mathematicians, it would be the highest honor.

Therefore, he is still looking forward to it!