Timothy Gowers

Fields Medallist Sir Timothy Gowers, a mathematician at the University of Cambridge, shares his inspiring journey from a musically-inclined childhood to tackling complex mathematical challenges. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of receiving the Fields Medal and the transformative impact of collaboration in research. Gowers dives into the Unconditional Basic Sequence Problem and reflects on how modern methodologies are shaping mathematics today. The conversation also touches on the role of AI and personal connections in navigating the world of math.

Colva Roney-Dougal, a Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of St Andrews, sheds light on Paul Erdős's early life and the socio-political contexts that shaped his work. Timothy Gowers, a noted mathematician at the Collège de France, discusses Erdős's groundbreaking contributions, especially in number theory and Ramsey theory. Andrew Treglown, an Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, elaborates on Erdős's unique problem-solving techniques in graph theory and the significance of the Erdős number, reflecting his collaborative spirit in mathematics.

Join Marcus du Sautoy, Timothy Gowers, and Colva Roney-Dougal as they delve into the genius of Pierre-Simon Laplace, who revolutionized mathematics and science during and after the French Revolution. They explore his groundbreaking contributions to probability, the stability of the solar system, and his provocative idea of determinism, suggesting that complete knowledge of the universe could predict all future events. The discussion also covers Laplace's role in developing the metric system and the philosophical implications of his work, including his stance on free will.