Who is the greatest mathematician of the past 100 years?

John Forbes Nash Jr.

According to Wikipedia, a mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. But what makes a mathematician ‘Great’? This question will raise many different answers. Therefore, I conducted a research where I asked my friends and family members who is the greatest mathematician according to them. I received many ‘great’ mathematicians’ names, Henri Paul Cartan, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Alexander Grothendieck, etc.

A ‘great’ mathematician, according to me, is the one who wants to know why, make argument intuitive and rigorous, and questions the answers. All of this brings one person in mind and that is John Forbes Nash Jr. He believed that he needed to find an original idea as that is the only way

he can ever distinguish himself, and the only way he will matter. Nash once said “I like to think myself as genius, but later I realised it is meaningless as you are using a popular word.” He wanted to be as original as he could.

He wanted to find answers to the problems which did not exist, i.e. create something original. He is known to be quiet and detached, but his list of long achievements make it reasonable. He is renowned for his work in mathematics and game theory; He made his contributions to differential geometry, study of partial equations, and game theory. He is known for the Nash solution or the Nash equilibrium, which is a way to win something or have a desired outcome without having to change the initial strategy. Nash equilibrium talks not just about game theory, but also helps us understand the mind behind this extraordinary work. What seems from his theory is that he, himself, was afraid to fail.

His way of thinking was unique. He once said “classes dull people’s mind, and destroy the potential for authentic creativity.” But mathematicians are supposed to find out new theories, make a remarkable change in the field of mathematics and the society, so what makes John Nash ‘great’? Nash was an American mathematician who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, also known as “cancer of the mind”, at the age of 30. He suffered auditory hallucinations, unorganised thinking. He was unable to think rationally; his life became a swing, swinging from irrational thinking to rational ones. However, his mental illness did not let him deviate from his goal to find original idea. His desire to find out more is inspirational.

He not only gave a new path to mathematics and economics, but also helped the US government to break codes and establish them. In 2015, John Nash was awarded the Abel prize and Nobel memorial prize for his work on non-linear partial differential equations and economics, respectively. After receiving the award, he was on his way back and, unfortunately, faced a car crash. It was an end to a ‘Beautiful Mind’.

Two movies have been made on John Nash – A Beautiful Mind, 2001 and (documentary) Schizophrenia: Stolen Minds, Stolen Lives, 2001 – not just because he was a great mathematician but also because he is worth remembering. He had a tragic yet beautiful life, making him greatest mathematician.

John Forbes Nash Jr.

References:

A. https://www.princeton.edu/news/2015/05/27/tragic-meaningful-life-legendary-princeton mathematician-john-nash-dies

B. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nash

equilibrium.asp#:~:text=The%20Nash%20Equilibrium%20is%20a%20decision%2Dmaki ng%20theorem%20within%20game,the%20decisions%20of%20other%20players.

C. https://livingwithschizophreniauk.org/john-nash/

D. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind_(film)

E. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematician#:~:text=A%20mathematician%20is%20som eone%20who,space%2C%20models%2C%20and%20change.

F. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia#:~:text=Schizophrenia%20is%20a%20psych iatric%20disorder,decreased%20emotional%20expression%2C%20and%20apathy. G. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fbiogr aphy%2FJohn

Nash&psig=AOvVaw3UmbhrljnTzIACmFnukS9w&ust=1609966327916000&source=i mages&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwi5i_CJ1oXuAhVK_4UKHTClDYsQr4kDegUIARDQA Q

H. https://theconversation.com/john-nash-and-his-contribution-to-game-theory-and economics

42355#:~:text=In%201994%2C%20Nash%20shared%20the,of%20the%20Nash%20barg aining%20solution.

I. https://youtu.be/JzB0DHhCeLk