Geometry is one of the oldest branches of mathematics. It has attracted the attention of great mathematicians throughout the centuries, and over the last 50 years, revolutionary advances have been made.
The Abel Committee referred to the leading role Mikhail Gromov has played in some of the most important breakthroughs in the field.
HM King Harald presenting the Abel Prize to Mikhail Gromov. Photo: Erlend Aas/Scanpix
The prize, which Mr Gromov received for his “revolutionary contributions to geometry”, was presented by HM King Harald. The prize money amounts to NOK 6 million (equivalent to EUR 700 000 or USD 950 000).
The Niels Henrik Abel Memorial Fund also provides support for the Ramanujan prize for young mathematicians from developing countries. This year the USD 10 000 prize was awarded to Enrique R. Pujals from Brazil, and it was presented by Mr Gromov. On the right, Mr Gromov with Minister of Research and Higher Education Tora Aasland. Photo: Knut Falch/Scanpix
The Abel Prize is also intended to strengthen the position of mathematics in schools and in society in general, both in Norway and abroad. A series of lectures, competitions for schoolchildren and the award of a teacher’s prize are therefore arranged in connection with the award of the Abel Prize.
Pupils Marianna Wrzos-Kaminska, Emma Moberg, Vincent Simensen and Tollak Braaten from class 9B at Ringstabekk school in Akershus county were the winners of this year’s KappAbel competition. On the right, the winner of this year’s Abel competition, Andrés Gómez Emilsson, who is a student at Red Cross Nordic United World College at Flekke in Sogn og Fjordane county. Photo: Knut Falch/Scanpix and Hilde Genberg/Firda