Talk:Experimental mathematics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Is the Four Color Theorem an example of Experimental Mathematics?

I don't believe so. I've never heard the term used to refer to a computer-aided proof, so I believe the use of the term in this context is wrong. The Experimental Mathematics entry should also be changed to reflect this. Can someone provide a reference to show the use of the term "experimental mathematics" to refer to a computer-aided proof?

I've also added this to the Four Color Theorem talk page. I will remove the first definition of experimental mathematics unless someone gives a reference for it. --Chan-Ho Suh 07:10, Sep 22, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Mention of specific algorithm

I removed the following from the article:

One major tool of experimental mathematicians is the PSLQ algorithm, which searches for integer relations. Named one of the top ten algorithms of the century by "Computing in Science and Engineering" magazine, PSLQ was used to discover a previously unknown formula which may be employed to directly calculate arbitrary binary digits of Pi.

Due to the brevity of the article, the PSLQ algorithm is given a disproportionate emphasis. There are other integer relations algorithms; I realize perhaps they aren't as important, but to single out a particular integer relation algorithm over the quite diverse and non-standard toolkits used by researchers seems odd, to say the least.

What this probably shows is that there should be a section, "Tools used" or similar title, which could include this algorithm and other algorithms and resources used by many researchers.

Also, the excerpted paragraph could probably be reworked to be more in the form of an example of a experimental mathematics "success story". Maybe there should be a section for that kind of thing too.

Actually, one thing that I think would be nice is to add a link to an article about PSLQ and the discovery of a formula using it. I'll try and find one to link to. --Chan-Ho Suh 14:21, Oct 15, 2004 (UTC)

I would respectfully point out that the discovery of the Bailey-Borwein-Plouffe Pi formula using PSLQ was the seminal event that launched experimental math as a legitimate field in its own right, and hinted that there might be many simple and profound formulae accessible by brute force computer search, whose direct derivation lay beyond the limits of human ingenuity. As such, I think PSLQ merits mention in the main section of any article about the origins of experimental math. --66.109.196.249 14:56, 15 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Your point is moot since currently the article is *not* about any origins. If you want to create an origins section, then certainly PSLQ would merit mention in it, but again, I must emphasize that your statement makes no sense since there is no mention of how experimental mathematics developed.

I removed the original paragraph on PSLQ not because I don't think it's important, but simply because it did not fit in the article, and I don't have the time to create a whole new article, in effect, to blend it in. As I mentioned previously, there should be some of section relating "success stories". --Chan-Ho Suh 01:40, Oct 16, 2004 (UTC)