The top student must be diligent.

Chapter 255 Hail Conjecture
HKUST, School of Mathematics.

After the Lantern Festival, school started.
In Xiao Yi's office.

Xiao Yi was sitting at his desk, lost in thought.

And at this moment, the office door was opened.
Then, Liang Qiushi walked in.

Liang Qiushi came in and saw Xiao Yi, then he immediately shouted: "Teacher!"

Xiao Yi raised his head and when he saw that it was his student, he smiled and nodded, saying, "You're back to school so early?"

For graduate students like Liang Qiushi, it basically doesn’t matter whether school starts or not. After school starts, it doesn’t matter even if they come a few days late.

In other words, the situation of mathematics graduate students is slightly special. Unlike most other graduate students who need to consider employment, they do not need to consider various issues such as internships.

After completing their master's degree, most mathematics graduate students must consider whether to continue to pursue a doctorate or change careers directly.

A master's degree can help a mathematics student fully understand whether he or she has the ability to study mathematics. If so, he or she can continue to study for a doctorate. If not, the experience of studying mathematics over the years can also help him or her to do better in other industries.

Of course, a student like Liang Qiushi, who can be considered a mathematical genius, naturally plans to continue his doctoral studies.

Liang Qiushi nodded and said helplessly: "Well, it's really boring to stay at home, and my mother dislikes me all the time, so I think it's better to go back to school."

Xiao Yi laughed immediately, this was so real!

Which student has never been disliked by his parents when staying at home?
This genius of his has been through it all.

Although he spends most of his time on research when he stays at home, and is completely "doing his job properly", perhaps because of this, his family often tells him to go out more and exercise.

But in fact, his physical condition was very good. When he went for a physical examination, the doctor said that he was very healthy. He didn't even have the sub-health condition that is common among many other scientists.

Soon, Xiao Yi stopped smiling and asked, "By the way, how is your paper going now?"

His three graduate students are now in their third year of graduate school, and this semester is their last semester, so the deadline for them to submit their graduation theses is quite close.

At most, there are only about four or five months left.

Therefore, I must work hard to finish my graduation thesis.

When Liang Qiushi heard this question, he looked a little troubled. Finally, he answered: "At present... there is still a little problem."

"Oh? Do you need guidance?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Hmm..." Liang Qiushi thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "Not yet. I plan to think about it myself first."

Xiao Yi nodded slightly.

In the past few years, Liang Qiushi has published several papers, and as his research has become more in-depth, the depth reflected in his papers has become more and more like that of a mature mathematician.

Arguably the most outstanding of his three students.
It is also good that he can insist on independent thinking, and his mentor still expressed support.

Of course, he still had to remind you: "Anyway, you have to submit the final draft before June. If you can't finish it after that, then be prepared to delay your graduation."

Liang Qiushi was not worried at all. He smiled and said, "If you delay your graduation, then it will be like you are accompanying your teacher for one more year."

Xiao Yi pulled the corner of his mouth and waved his hand, saying, "Don't try to trick me. Get out of here as soon as possible. If you delay your graduation, you may not be able to get my recommendation letter."

"Hiss~" Liang Qiushi immediately took a breath of cold air: "So cruel?"

For graduate students planning to pursue a doctorate, a supervisor's recommendation letter is very important. Without a supervisor's recommendation letter, it will be difficult to select a doctoral supervisor, and it may even affect employment issues.

Just like Zhang Yitang back then, he almost lost his job after graduation because he didn't get a letter of recommendation from his supervisor, and he even had to wash dishes for a long time.

Xiao Yi smiled harmlessly and said, "It's just that cruel."

Liang Qiushi pulled the corner of his mouth and finally said: "Okay, I surrender, I will definitely finish it as soon as possible."

"Well, okay, go and do your own thing now." Xiao Yi nodded with satisfaction, and then instructed: "Oh, and don't forget to tell the other two to get their graduation thesis out as soon as possible."

Then he turned back and continued to think about the problem he was thinking about before.

However, after thinking for a while, he noticed that Liang Qiushi next to him did not leave, so he asked in confusion: "Do you have anything else to say?"

Liang Qiushi chuckled, then asked with a little curiosity: "I just want to know, what were you thinking about just now? Is it about nuclear fusion?"

Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and chuckled. He knew that this kid would ask about nuclear fusion.

After all, before the holiday, Liang Qiushi and others probably didn't expect that nuclear fusion would suddenly be achieved, and it was achieved in the hands of their mentor.

In the past few years, although Xiao Yi spent most of his time at the Institute of Controlled Nuclear Fusion, they did not dare to think that nuclear fusion could achieve such a thing at the beginning.

After all, they can indeed figure out the difficulty of achieving nuclear fusion by searching for information on the Internet, so they also know how high the requirements of nuclear fusion for materials are.

This creates a strange situation, that is, people who know nothing about this aspect may believe in Xiao Yi's ability and believe that he can do it, but the more people know about this aspect, the less they think Xiao Yi can achieve it.

Therefore, when the three students learned that their mentor had actually developed this thing, they were shocked.

My goodness, this mentor they have seems a little too amazing, doesn't he?

Wasn’t he just an ordinary math master who solved a few mathematical conjectures?
How did he suddenly become the father of controlled nuclear fusion?

As a result, during the Chinese New Year, they posted several messages in their circle of friends saying things like "I don't know how my mentor suddenly figured out nuclear fusion, and I never thought that I would suddenly become a disciple of the father of controlled nuclear fusion. Please be informed", "Yes, that's right, I have a mentor who is the father of controlled nuclear fusion", "It's so annoying, why am I studying mathematics, I really want to study nuclear fusion with my mentor, the father of controlled nuclear fusion", etc., so that everyone in their circle of friends was irritated by their Versailles.

Of course, what Xiao Yi was thinking about was not nuclear fusion.

"I'm just thinking about what math problem to study next."

He pointed to his head and said.

Liang Qiushi was stunned for a moment and said, "Study...what mathematical problem?"

"Look, we've solved controlled nuclear fusion. Now I should find something to relax myself, right? So I'm going to study a math problem or something. The question now is, should I study a slightly more difficult conjecture or a slightly simpler theoretical problem?"

Xiao Yi patted his head, looking conflicted.

Honestly speaking, even if it was a millennium problem, he would still be willing to give it a try.

After all, his BUFF level has reached LV7 now, and he also wants to know what it would feel like to try to solve a problem of the same level as the Millennium Puzzle again with a 26-fold bonus.

Liang Qiushi: “…”

After listening to his mentor's words, Liang Qiushi fell silent.

Can we still have a good chat today?
Don't you think that's a bit exaggerated?

Just solved nuclear fusion and now you want to relax with a math problem?

Not to mention, you either have to solve a difficult conjecture or study a simple theoretical problem.

When did theoretical problems become simple?

(╯‵ ′)╯︵┻━┻

You are probably the only one in the world who can say this. After all, he is probably the only mentor in the world who can not only conduct high-end research such as controlled nuclear fusion, but also has considerable achievements in theoretical mathematics.

For a moment, he once again felt the gap between himself and his mentor, not just in scientific research.

There was also a gap between him and his mentor on the matter of Versailles.

Finally, he took out his phone, operated it for a while, and said, "Teacher, please repeat what you just said."

Xiao Yi: "What?"

"I have to let Chen Muhua and Sun Yuan hear it too. I can't just hear it myself."

Liang Qiushi said.

Xiao Yi shook his head speechlessly, swung his hands, and said unhappily: "Go away, don't disturb me while I'm thinking, go study your thesis."

"One last question! One last question!"

Liang Qiushi quickly gave up the idea and shouted.

Xiao Yi glanced at him and said, "Speak."

"I read online that you are now the chief consultant and chief scientist of a newly established National Energy Administration and a fusion company. Is this true or not?"

Liang Qiushi asked curiously.

Although this matter has been spread, after all, the news among the people is true and false, and no one knows whether it is true or not.

But obviously, everyone can predict how high the status of this general bureau and company will be in the country in the future.

Just refer to the State Grid and you will know.

The State Grid is only responsible for power transmission, not power generation. As for power generation, it is mainly divided into several large companies. However, as controlled nuclear fusion power stations will be spread across the country in the future, this national fusion company will most likely not be smaller than the State Grid.

Moreover, any discerning person can see that if foreign countries fail to develop controlled nuclear fusion technology, then they will have no choice but to negotiate with China. If an agreement is reached, it is likely that the National Fusion Company will be able to build nuclear fusion reactors abroad and then make money by generating electricity. By then, I am afraid that countries all over the world will become customers of the National Fusion Company.

As for the State Grid Corporation of China, although it is also involved in the investment and operation of power projects in a dozen countries abroad, it is only in a dozen countries and it will not work in more countries.

Of course, most countries are unwilling to outsource the construction and operation of power grids to other countries. Otherwise, the relevant data on electricity consumption alone would be able to reveal a lot of secrets, not to mention that there are too many paths in the process of building a power grid, making it easier to discover some secrets.

Therefore, the National Fusion Corporation alone has unlimited prospects. As for the newly established National Energy Administration, according to its functions, it seems that it can not only manage the National Fusion Corporation, but also the National Grid. This is also to be able to coordinate and manage the two relatively independent but inseparable systems of power generation and power supply in the future.

In addition to this, it will also be responsible for the full-time management of all domestic energy policies. This may seem not as impressive as directly managing two major companies, but it is actually more critical. After all, there are so many things related to energy.

Energy, as something that directly determines the version of human industrial revolution, is destined to involve all aspects, whether it is energy development planning, such as development decisions on new energy and old energy, or the overall planning of domestic energy layout, or detailed plans for the import and export of energy materials, as well as the management of various energy sources such as nuclear power, thermal power, wind power, hydropower, etc., will all be under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Energy.

It can be said that the impact of the Energy Administration will be even greater, even involving the entire world.

At least, as the world's largest energy power, the country's General Energy Administration does have such capabilities - when controlled nuclear fusion technology is realized, China will be number one.

As for who will be at the helm of this company in the future, no one knows yet, and it will most likely be another game of chess. However, people are more concerned about the position of lifetime general consultant that has already been confirmed. After all, the word "lifetime" alone means that no matter how many people at the helm change, this general consultant will not change.

For Liang Qiushi, it means that his mentor is no longer just an ordinary university professor, but a super boss who holds such an important position.

Although this position does not have any specific rank, after all, his professorship did not take the civil service examination and is not considered a civil servant, but it sounds like it is no worse than an academician, right?

He looked at Xiao Yi with curiosity.

Xiao Yi waved his hand: "Aren't all the official documents public? You can find out by searching on the government website."

"So this is true?" Liang Qiushi's eyes lit up.

What is this feeling?
Isn’t it equivalent to your own mentor suddenly becoming an academician!
Well... strictly speaking, it feels even more awesome than becoming an academician!
"Teacher, you are awesome!"

He said sincerely.

Xiao Yi waved his hand: "Okay, the question has been answered, go do your thing."

He didn't know what to say about these two positions.

At first, it was just said that I could be a consultant, but Ye Mei said that I could directly be the chief consultant of these two heavyweight units!

Even lifelong.

As for the Chief Scientist...

Well, compared to the position of lifetime general counsel, it is almost a icing on the cake.
Shaking his head, his mind continued to recall those mathematical problems.

Naturally, there are so many problems that he is now having difficulty making decisions.

However, at this time, Liang Qiushi looked at Xiao Yi's tangled expression and suddenly said, "Teacher, how about you consider the hail hypothesis?"

Xiao Yi was stunned, "Hail hypothesis?"

The hailstone conjecture, also known as the Collatz conjecture and the Kakutani conjecture, is a very interesting problem in mathematics.

Similarly, it is also a number theory problem, and its description is very simple, even primary school students can understand it: write down any positive integer N. If it is an odd number, the next step becomes 3N+1; if it is an even number, the next step becomes N/2. The numbers obtained in each step will continue to transform according to this rule.

Then, people will find that no matter what N is given at the beginning, it will eventually cycle back to 1.

This problem seems simple, but like many other number theory conjectures, it has puzzled the entire mathematical community for a long time.

By 2027, it will be almost 90 years.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yi suddenly felt that this question was indeed very good.

Because it is not like the number theory conjectures he had studied, all of which belong to prime number problems.

This question is a pure numbers game.

The process of proving it is the process of finding the rules of this seemingly simple mathematical game.

Different from the various problems he had studied in the past.

Ok……

If you use this conjecture as a question to relax during this period, it is indeed a good idea.

So he nodded to Liang Qiushi and said, "Okay, thank you for your advice."

Liang Qiushi was stunned again.

No, his teacher, is he really going to study this issue?

Then he...

Can we open a market and bet on what the next famous mathematical conjecture to be proved will be?
Isn't this a sure thing?

(End of this chapter)