Nigerian Student Solves 30 Year Old Math Equation

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Schmide

Schmide

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Mar 7, 2002
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http://youngbrilliantandblack.tumblr.com/post/120117856118/nigerian-student-solves-30-year-old-math-equation

Nigerian student Utof Ekong has just become the first Nigerian to earn a “First Class Degree” and become the best overall student at Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan since 1965!

The last time anyone graduated with a grade point average similar to Utof Ekong was over 50 years ago. Utof, who put himself through school by working two jobs has won many other academic awards at the university; totaling to about six awards. On top of all his academic excellence, Utof also solved a 30 year old outstanding mathematical equation in his first semester!

Utof speaks English, Yoruba, French and Japanese.

Now that’s young, brilliant and black at it’s FINEST!
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tumblr_inline_np2lr0mCo61r5ubay_500.jpg


This has been popping up on some of my friends FB and such.

I'm sorry but this has to be bullshit. If anyone solved a 30 year old math problem it would be all over the news and it would be listed in the article. I searched forever and could not find what equation he solved.

If anyone can find more information on this I'll be glad to retract the above statement. The lack of dissent is really surprising for the internets. (see post 12)

The only big news I've seen on old unsolvable math problems recently, is the 500 page paper on the ABC conjecture by Shinichi Mochizuki (2012). This is still under review as of today. Dude created his own language to explain it.
 
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R

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
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Schmide said:
http://youngbrilliantandblack.tumblr.com/post/120117856118/nigerian-student-solves-30-year-old-math-equation



tumblr_inline_np2lr0mCo61r5ubay_500.jpg


This has been popping up on some of my friends FB and such.

I'm sorry but this has to be bullshit. If anyone solved a 30 year old math problem it would be all over the news and it would be listed in the article. I searched forever and could not find what equation he solved.

If anyone can find more information on this I'll be glad to retract the above statement. The lack of dissent is really surprising for the internets.

The only big news I've seen on old unsolvable math problems recently, is the 500 page paper on the ABC conjecture by Shinichi Mochizuki (2012). This is still under review as of today. Dude created his own language to explain it.
Click to expand...


He is still Nigerian. Occasionally, poop rises to the top.

You want to hear my experiences with these people?

Not if your post shows the same intolerance as your first sentence. Utof Ekong is a person who, presumably has nothing to do with whatever experiences you had. The same is true for a vast majority of its citizens. So keep such comments to yourself.
admin allisolm
 
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dank69

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
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Following the links back to what seems like the origin:
A Nigerian student has broken a 50-yr record in Japan after graduating with 1st class degree and best overall student from Tokai University in Tokyo Japan.

Ufot Ekong from Akwa Ibom State was the best overall student, and the first Nigerian to achieve this feat since 1965, solving a mathematical equation that could not be solved 30-yrs ago in his first semester.

Ekong won a Japanese language award for foreigners, in addition to two patents under his name for developing an electric car.

Ufot Ekong is currently working with Nissan
Click to expand...
That's not really the same as saying it has been unsolved for 30 years. Really, saying it couldn't be solved 30 years ago is kind of nonsensical. Was it solved 29.5 years ago?
 
Schmide

Schmide

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^ that's what I'm talking about. I still want to know what problem it was.
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
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so his first semester was 30 years ago and he couldn't solve the equation then but 30 years later he solved it?
 
GagHalfrunt

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
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It's no surprise that a Nigerian could be good at math. From a young age they're all schooled in international finance, royal inheritance rules and calculating lottery earnings.
 
IEC

IEC

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Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
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Schmide said:
Thank you. So this is a case of a blog misquote. Imagine that.
Click to expand...

I doubt it is a misquote.

"Mr. Ekong Ufot Ufot, a 4th year student from Nigeria in the School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering took the stage as the representative of current students."

Traditionally in Japan that role is reserved for uber-high performers. For a foreign student to receive that honor, it can be inferred that he is truly an excellent student. The news release doesn't mention the event described in the blog but I have no reason to doubt it is true.
 
Schmide

Schmide

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Mar 7, 2002
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Utof also solved a 30 year old outstanding mathematical equation in his first semester!
Click to expand...

vs

solving a mathematical equation that could not be solved 30-yrs ago
Click to expand...

vs. If you're going to mention some great math equation. Please say what it is.
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
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Found the question he solved:

Does .999999999999999999 = 1?
Answer: No. It equals .999999999999999999.
 
Schmide

Schmide

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2002
5,747
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Rakehellion said:
Most people aren't math nerds who care about that sort of thing. I think this is just a plug for the school.
Click to expand...

That was the whole point of my OP dude. The sad thing seems to be that this guy is great, but the article from his country couldn't help but embellish things to the point where misunderstandings abound.
 
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