By Rosemary Etim Bassey
Two Chinese mathematicians have made history by becoming the first from their country to win the prestigious Fields Medal, often called the “Nobel Prize of Mathematics.”
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Hong Wang and Yu Deng received the award alongside John Pardon of the United States and Jacob Tsimerman of Canada during a ceremony held in the US. Each winner received a prize of 15,000 Canadian dollars.
The pair were recognised for solving mathematical problems that had puzzled experts for more than 100 years.
Wang, 35, who teaches in the US and France, also became only the third woman ever to receive the honour.
Together with fellow mathematician Josh Zahl, Wang solved a problem first asked by Japanese mathematician Soichi Kakeya in 1917. The question explored the smallest amount of space a pencil would cover if it were turned completely around. Their research, published last year, looked at the problem in three-dimensional space.
Speaking about the discovery, Wang said such puzzles are exciting because they appear in many different areas of mathematics and science.
Deng, 37, a professor at the University of Chicago, was recognised for solving part of a famous problem first proposed by German mathematician David Hilbert in 1900. His work explained how the movement of tiny gas particles can help scientists understand the behaviour of gases as a whole.
Reacting to the award, Deng said it was a “really great honour” to be recognised alongside mathematicians he had long admired.
News of the achievement sparked celebrations across China, with millions of people discussing the historic win on social media.
The Fields Medal is awarded every four years to outstanding mathematicians under the age of 40 for exceptional contributions to the field.
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