The questions left by Junxin's pranks are naturally not the kind of questions that are very difficult, but can be answered through a lot of calculations in a short period of time. This was written by Canadian mathematician Richard K· Guy's book "Unsolved Problems in Number Theory", which lists many unsolved conjectures in the field of number theory, and the problem that Junxin is talking about happens to be one of them.

Later, after a period of calculation, students from a certain university in China successfully found one of the counterexamples, which proved that this conjecture was not valid. This incident caused a huge sensation in China, because this classmate solved the problem, but because of English level 4, he faced the point where there was no graduate school to go to.

We don't care how difficult the problem is, but it can be solved by Richard K· Guy's inclusion in the book "Unsolved Problems in Number Theory" is enough to show that this can indeed be considered a difficult problem, compared to a senior student, there is no doubt about it. Therefore, in the face of the students of this year's Hua Luogeng class, Junxin thought about it for a while and took out this question, which can be regarded as an alternative incentive.

In fact, what Junxin really wants to lay down is the proof of Ramsay's two dyeing theorem, and this conjecture once caused a sensation in China.

Ramsay's two-staining theorem is a conjecture in mathematical logic, which was proposed by the American mathematical logician Sitapan in the 90s of the last century to reverse the conjecture in the field of mathematics about the strength of the proof of Ramsay's two-staining theorem. In combinatorics, Ramsey's theorem is to solve the following problem: to find the smallest number n, so that n people must know k people or l people don't know each other. Because it was proposed by Sitapan, this conjecture is also known as the Sitapan conjecture.

However, this conjecture was put forward in the 90s, so it does not exist now. Moreover, in Junxin's view, this conjecture has a certain impact on mathematical logic, but it has not yet reached the height reported in the domestic media in later generations. Therefore, he chose the former as the homework for the study, not only because of the content of the Sitapan conjecture in mathematical logic, but also because of its difficulty and intensity, it is impossible for these students to solve it in just one and a half months.

After assigning the homework, Junxin left the classroom directly, for him, this group of students is too well-behaved, there is no sign of refutation and discussion in the class, it can't stimulate his thinking spark at all, rather than staying, it is better to go back to the professor of the Department of Mathematics of the University of Science and Technology of China as soon as possible to discuss the latest research progress.

When Junxin arrived in Professor Wang's office, Professor Qiao had not yet left, and was having a heated discussion with Professor Wang on a certain analytic number theory issue. The two of them didn't notice Junxin's arrival in the slightest.

"I don't think the two professors are wrong!" After listening for a while, Jun Xin understood the key point of the issue discussed by the two professors, but this place did not have a clear definition until decades later, and the two views of Professor Qiao and Professor Wang represented the two views of later generations on this issue, so no one was wrong. In other words, even after decades, there is no clear answer to this question, and naturally neither Professor Wang nor Professor Qiao can convince anyone.

"What do you think?" Professor Qiao was the first to speak. He naturally knows Junxin. After all, he is also in charge of this year's Hua Luogeng class, and Junxin's acceptance also has his subordinate.

"I think that at present, the two methods are the conclusions of the two professors from their own perspectives, but this problem is not just one aspect of the problem, so the results may not be the same from different angles." Junxin is frank about his views.

Perhaps Professor Qiao will refute other people's opinions, without even thinking about it. This is a manifestation of the mathematician's quest for ultimate perfection, and they will always believe in their own proof until the opponents have come up with absolute evidence. But Junxin obviously can't generalize with them, because Junxin's academic achievements have surpassed theirs, and his words, sometimes wiped down and listened to, can be regarded as a kind of guidance.

Seeing that Professor Qiao was lost in thought, Professor Wang stood up with a smile and greeted Jun Xin, "How do you feel after class?" ”

Junxin frowned and said, "I don't feel anything, this group of students gives me the feeling that they have been derailed from the world for too long, and they can only passively accept my knowledge, and they can't take the initiative to enter my thinking node to discuss knowledge with me, I feel that I am really teaching them knowledge." ”

How could Professor Wang not understand the meaning of Junxin, after ten years of ****, after the end, it is almost completely lagging behind the world's top level of scientific research technology and knowledge accumulation, and it is not easy to make up for the fault during this time.

This is also the sadness of this generation of scientists, this group of scientists in the 80s has been catching up with the world's top level from beginning to end, but their own achievements are few. However, because of the catch-up of this group of scientists, China has gained a strong accumulation of knowledge, and it will truly accumulate in the future.

"There's no way around it, we can only make up for the missing part through this method!" Professor Wang shook his head and sighed.

"I have a way to train them to conduct independent research!" Junxin thought for a while and said, "But what is this method and what kind of effect will it have, I don't dare to pack tickets." ”

"Let's refer to it!" Professor Wang came to the spirit and motioned for Jun Xin to continue. Professor Qiao, who was on the side, also came out of his thoughts and asked Junxin to continue.

"At Princeton University, there was a famous mathematician named Lev Schetz, and one of the exchange activities he advocated was very famous in the mathematical community, and that was Princeton Tea Time. At the same time, in early Europe, the Copenhagen School founded by Bohr, Bonn, Heisenberg, Pauli and others had the tradition of free discussion of salon habits, and now Cambridge University has an extremely important exchange afternoon tea event. ”

Therefore, I believe that it is necessary and necessary to establish such a broad discussion salon mechanism, with uncertain topics, indefinite number of people, and even uncertain majors. We encourage every student with their own ideas to freely and boldly put forward their own new discoveries and communicate their feasibility, so that perhaps because of the exchange and collision of ideas, some unexpected surprises can be generated, what do you think? ”

"Communication? Nice idea! Professor Qiao nodded in agreement, he thought that this method was very feasible.

"It's better to be on the safe side, try it in Hua Luogeng's class first, and I'll announce the news in person tomorrow." Professor Wang pondered for a moment, after all, he still had some scruples and adopted a more conservative approach.

"Jun's suggestion is good, the first discussion will be organized by you! After all, we are old, and we have too few topics in common with you young people, and it would be bad if you were restrained! ”

Jun nodded and answered.