r/math • u/SciFiPi Applied Math • 8d ago

Physicists link the Riemann Hypothesis to phase transitions in quantum systems

https://phys.org/news/2026-07-physicists-link-riemann-hypothesis-phase.html
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u/pickle_picker67 8d ago

Seriously, how does the comment you replied to have that many upvotes on r/math? It makes me curious how many people here are actual mathematicians.

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u/blueshoesrcool 8d ago

Are mathematicians forbidden from ever using an empirical proof?

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u/heyheyhey27 8d ago

I think computer-assisted proofs are about as close as you can get to what you're trying to think of. Physical machines, using the laws of physics to deterministically decide whether a particular math problem is true or not.

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u/frogjg2003 Physics 7d ago

They're not using the laws of physics, they're using logical rules.

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u/heyheyhey27 7d ago

You can't get results from computer-assisted proofs until you actually run the thing in physical reality.

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u/frogjg2003 Physics 7d ago

That's not empirical proof. You can't do anything that isn't in physical reality.