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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Alex Bellos

REVEALED: Did you solve it the fields medals for beginners | Vintage Vibes

Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Sergiivna Viazovska, winner of a 2022 Fields Medal, which is often described as the Nobel Prize in mathematics. (EPFL/Fred Merz)
Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Sergiivna Viazovska, winner of a 2022 Fields Medal, which is often described as the Nobel Prize in mathematics. (EPFL/Fred Merz) Photograph: Handout-Fred Merz/AP

Earlier today I set you three problems, inspired by the 2022 Fields medals. The prizes – which every four years go to up to four mathematicians under 40 – are the most famous award in mathematics.

Maryna Viazovska, from Ukraine, won for her groundbreaking work on how to pack spheres in 24 dimensions. The first puzzle was about how to pack beers in three dimensions.

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