Chapter 486: Chapter 235 Another Historical Boss (5.8K)
Speaking of the question of what 1+1 equals.
Many people, when thinking of 2, might also have another term pop into their minds:
Goldbach Conjecture.
In many people’s perception, 1+1=2 and the Goldbach Conjecture are one and the same.
But in reality...
This saying is also a very widespread misunderstanding.
1+1=2 is a theorem, the Goldbach Conjecture was not proposed to prove that 1+1 equals the number 2.
The true meaning of the Goldbach Conjecture is:
Any even number greater than 2 (represented by 2) can be expressed as the sum of two prime numbers (represented by 1).
For example, 12 = 7 + 5.
At that time, it was said that Chen Jingrun proved 1+2, meaning he proved that a sufficiently large even number can be expressed as the sum of two prime numbers.
Or as a prime number (represented by 1) plus the product of two primes (represented by 2).
For example, 100 = 23 + 7x11.
Xu Yun knew a friend in math from a past life who complained about this matter to him more than once.
Every time he heard that Goldbach Conjecture was purely to prove 1+1=2, his blood pressure would rise.
He often couldn’t help but explain at length the truth that 1+1=2 is a theorem, and many times the other party couldn’t understand it, which was truly exasperating―above the head.
The earliest document mentioning 1+1=2 was the documentary literature "Goldbach Conjecture" about Chen Jingrun, published soon after reform and opening up.
This work is well-known in the documentary literature world, as famous as "Who is the Most Lovely Person."
Back then, when Mr. Jingrun was interviewed, he wanted to communicate with the public in a simpler way, so he used an analogy.
As a result, the journalist only heard 1+1=2, leading to possibly the most widespread misunderstanding since the founding of the nation.
Of course.
This misunderstanding is not the same as those public-known brainwashings, it’s more of an industry barrier issue, with not much malice.
Returning sight to the original place.
Therefore, when seeing William Whewell’s exam paper, Xu Yun didn’t even consider it was asking him to prove Goldbach Conjecture.
Instead, he immediately wrote the number 2.
Fifteen minutes later.
Xu Yun handed in the test paper.
A few minutes later.
William Whewell flamboyantly wrote a number on the test paper:
100.
Seeing this situation.
Xu Yun’s expression remained unchanged, even wanting to flip the table (╯｀□′)╯~╧╧.
Kidding.
The hardest question on the entire test was what 44x12 equals, this test paper would be a perfect score for even Xian Weiren, wouldn’t it?
It can only be said that William Whewell’s philosophers’ minds are too sneaky.
He clearly didn’t want to let go of Little Niu’s handwritten letter, yet pretended to have such a principled appearance, and managed to bluff him.
Then William Whewell put down his pen, stood up voluntarily, and extended his hand to Xu Yun:
"Student Luo Feng, on behalf of Trinity College, I welcome your arrival."
Xu Yun quickly adjusted his mindset, lightly shook hands with him:
"Please take care of me in the future, Mr. Huie."
William Whewell nodded at him, took out a box to temporarily seal the letter, and then fell into thought.
He was thinking about how to arrange Xu Yun.
First of all, the issue with the board of trustees is not a big deal.
Little Niu is not only a Saint of Trinity College, but also the most famous sage of the entire University of Cambridge, even Prince Albert wouldn’t be too harsh on his actions.
But the choice of a professor, however, is a headache for him.
Because Xu Yun applied as a graduate student.
Graduate students differ from undergraduates; besides general classroom education, they must select an academic mentor.
The modern era is a period of rapid improvement of theoretical systems, and the relationship between graduate students and professor mentors is even more special than in later generations.
First, there is a scarcity of college students now, and a professor leads only a few graduate students.
Second, most professors at top universities now have their own schools of thought, and graduate students essentially represent a ’front.’
In future generations, after a graduate student graduates from a mentor’s tutelage, unless they commit a crime, doing anything from farming back home to delivering food, selling insurance, or even begging won’t affect the mentor’s reputation.
People will only discuss the graduate student themselves, just that the mentor might feel a bit embarrassed.
But in 1850, mentors were different.
During this period, the work and accomplishments of students after graduation directly linked to their fame and reputation.
For example, Little Niu and Barrow back then.
The relationship between Little Niu and Barrow was second only to his family, even closer than with his mother.
Barrow selflessly gifted his calculation results on ’integrals’ to Little Niu, who immediately returned to London after Barrow’s death that night.
To some extent...
Graduate students and mentors of this time were somewhat similar to disciples in ancient Huaxia.
Thus mentors placed a high value on their students’ abilities and reputations, especially mentors at top universities like Cambridge and Oxford.
Trying to enter a good mentor’s tutelage without some ability is obviously impossible.
And Xu Yun obviously is a loafer, most likely to use his own name for profit after graduation; who would want to take on such a burden?
Yes, Xu Yun brought Cambridge University Little Niu’s handwritten letter.
But as for that undetermined mentor, what direct relation does it have with him?
