I understand that Keigh Devlin wrote The Millenium Problems, a book which simplifies the nine mathematical problems for whose solutions the Clay Institute is offering $1,000,000 each. Of what value is this book, since I am imagining that even if the problems are stated much more simply, their solutions may still require a doctorate in mathematics?
Surprisingly, some of the problems can be partially explained in relatively simple terms (there are 7 problems, not 9). However, delving into these problems would require a Ph.D simply to understand what is really being asked, let alone solve.
FH: Yes, I agree with you. In fact, I studied that website and came away with 9 instead of 7 problems! Ha, ha! Anyway, I was suspecting that you would say something quite different, for example, how the rest of us can know what challenges face the scientific minds. I think that website also said that if some helpful progress is made, then the helper would also get a small $ reward. I think that those of us who are dreamers are most likely eligible for at most this small compensation.
It's the same reason for books like "Schrodinger's Cat," "The Elegant Universe," "The Seven Daughters of Eve," or "A Brief History of Time." Some people are curious about relatively complicated things in science and math but don't want to get into all the gorey details. This doesn't just apply to those who don't have the background needed to get into it. After having been through the gorey details of quantum mechanics several times, I'd much rather read a good book treating it non-mathematically. I doubt that anyone who has a serious shot at solving any of the millenium problems will get a whole lot of help from this sort of book, although complex problems stated in plain language can put a fresh and sometimes helpful perspective on things.
