The RH Wager
by David W. Farmer and Eric Saias
The Riemann Hypothesis (RH) is the biggest unsolved problem in
mathematics. Is a solution 100 years away, or just around the corner?
David Farmer (American Institute of Mathematics) and
Eric Saias (Université Paris 6) have a wager that reflects their
opposing views of the subject:
The RH Wager: Eric Saias will pay 10 euros to David Farmer
every year until the Riemann Hypothesis is proven. Once the
Riemann Hypothesis is proven, David will pay 1000 euros to Eric.
Some details:
- Eric will pay David on or about May 18 of each year.
- David will pay Eric on the same day that the
Clay Mathematics Institute (CMI)
awards $1 million for the proof of RH.
- If RH is disproven, then David will pay Eric 1000 euros if the
CMI awards $1 million for the disproof. If the CMI awards a
lesser amount, then David will pay Eric the corresponding fraction
of 1000 euros (e.g., 100 euros if the CMI awards $100,000).
- The wager ends upon the death of either Eric or David, or if
Eric chooses to stop paying the 10 euros each year. David cannot
choose to end the wager.
The wager began on May 18, 2006, at the Restaurant Athanas,
5 rue Clisson, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France.
Witnesses to the wager were Brian Conrey, Chris Hughes,
Sally Koutsoliotas,
Hugh Montgomery, Ashkan Nikeghbali, Bahman Saffari, and Marc Yor.
FAQ
I heard that someone has proven RH. Why hasn't David given
Eric his money?
David and Eric are not responsible for deciding if a claimed
proof of RH is correct. To avoid any ambiguity, they will use
the decision of the CMI to resolve their wager. (In the event
the CMI ceases to exist or withdraws their prize for RH,
David and Eric will assemble
a panel of experts to implement the original criteria
of the CMI award.)
Can I make the same wager with David?
He would consider making similar wagers, but not via email, so you will
have to ask him in person. (A good place to find him is at
the AIM booth at the joint MAA/AMS conference each January.)
Why does David think it so unlikely that RH will be proven in his lifetime?
A better question is: why does Eric think it so likely that it will!
Questions or comments to rhwager(at)aimath.org