Prize awarded for largest mathematical proof

Prize awarded for largest mathematical proof - physics-math - 09 September 2011 - New Scientist

In early November, Michael Aschbacher, an innovator in the abstract field of group theory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena will receive the $75,000 Rolf Schock prize in mathematics from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for his pivotal role in proving the Classification Theorem of Finite Groups, aka the Enormous Theorem.

Solomon estimates that only a few mathematicians in the world (including Aschbacher) understand the complete proof. It was a punishing read, says Mark Ronan, an honorary professor of mathematics at University College London. "Some of Aschbacher's proofs were just diabolically difficult," he adds.