[Opinion] Math Renaissance

Avraham Trakhtman, 64, a night watchman in Israel, recently solved the Road Coloring Problem, which directs people to a certain destination regardless of a location of origin. He solved the problem in only one year. Some 100 mathematicians had tried to solve it for more than 40 years in vain. Trakhtman, a former Russian mathematician, immigrated to Israel 16 years ago, but couldn’t find a job and ended up working as a night watchman in Jerusalem.

Takeshi Kitano, 61, a Japanese comedian and film director, will receive a special recognition award from the Mathematical Society of Japan. He is said to have contributed to the spread of the attraction, beauty and pleasure of mathematics as he tried to solve math problems" in a quiz show on TV. This is a vivid example of the popularization of math. Math is now transforming into an area where ordinary people, not just a few talents, can indulge themselves in, thanks to the development of information and communications technology and financial techniques.

Building code technology, the essential part of the Internet security, is impossible without mathematics. The application of mathematical theory is necessary for computer graphics and animation. Mathematicians also contributed to the prediction of financial fluctuations such as exchange rates, interest rates and stock prices. Without mathematics, it would be hard to imagine biotechnology, weather forecasts, airplane design, satellite photo transmission, MP3 players, online video clips, high definition TVs and smart cards (used for paying public transportation fees). Social science researches also needs math.

Lee Sang-mook, earth and environmental sciences professor at Seoul National University, who is paralyzed below the neck, is also benefiting from math. Had it not been for mathematics, dozens of equipments and software for the disabled would not have been developed. Lee, dubbed Korea’s Stephen Hawking, said, “What saved me was not stem cells but the IT equipments.” Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates also recently emphasized the importance of mathematics for the competitiveness of America’s education in his address to the U.S. Congress. Seoul National University professor Oh Se-jeong says, however, “One out of every five science and engineering students (of Seoul National University) needs supplementary lessons before they start the regular curriculum.” Koreans are in dire need of a "Math Renaissance."

Editorial Writer Heo Moon-myeong (angelhuh@donga.com)