What's so sexy about math? | Cédric Villani

Complex

math

ematical arguments, a multitude of discoveries and massive calculations did not work. And that night in Princeton, there was a certain gap in the chain of arguments that irritated me. I put all my energy, experience and tricks into it and still nothing works. One in the morning, then two in the morning, then three in the morning, nothing works. Around four in the morning I went to sleep with a tired soul. Then a few hours later I woke up and thought, "Oh, time to take the kids to school..." What is this? I swear I could hear that voice in my head. “Take the second term to the other side, do an instant transformation and then invert to L2 (Laughs) Damn, that was the beginning of the solution!” Look, I think I took a break, but my mind actually kept working on it.

Right now, don't think about your profession or your colleagues, it's just a total battle between you and the problem. That means it doesn't hurt to get a promotion for your hard work. And after finishing our monumental analysis of Landau's digression, I was fortunate to receive the most coveted Fields Medal from the President of India, in Hyderabad, on August 19, 2010, an honor with which athletes do not dare to dream, a Day that I will remember as long as I live. What do you think, on a suitable occasion? Pride, yes? And thanks to the collaborators who made this possible.

Since it was a shared trip, you needed to share it not only with those who collaborated with you. I think anyone can appreciate the excitement of

math

ematical research and share the interesting stories and ideas behind it. I have been working with my team at the Henri Poincaré Institute, together with mathematical communication partners and artists from around the world, so that we can build our own unique mathematics museum there. So in a few years, when you come to Paris, after trying the big, fluffy baguette and the sweet egg white macarons, come visit us at the Henri Poincaré Institute and share with us your sporting dream.

Thank you all. (applause)