Home The Hirsch Conjecture, Disproved

The Hirsch Conjecture, Disproved

Professor Francisco Santos of the University of Santander in Spain announced that he had disproved what is known in mathematics circles as the Hirsch Conjecture. Professor Santos will be presenting his proof in July at the 100 Years in Seattle Conference, dedicated to the mathematics of Klee and Grunbaum.

We talk a lot in ReadWriteWeb about the products of mathematics, the programs and devices that amplify and extend the reach of our human dreams. But we rarely talk about the structure that underlies these things and makes them possible. There’s a reason for that. Math is hard. So, I wrote a sonnet.

I have emailed Professor Santos and asked him for an educated lay-person’s explanation of the conjecture, his process of disproving it and the implications of mathematics for a wider world. I will share his contribution with you when I get it.

The Hirsch Conjecture, Disproved

Does math describe reality we know

Or is it just a self-referring system?

Do overlapping circles, either/or,

Obscure a vital truth, or truths sustain?

When someone like Santander’s Paco Santos

Reaches out and wrings conjecture’s neck,

Does he build, or simply banish phantoms?

Tell us what you’ve done was for our sakes.

Vertices in polytopes connect

By paths no more than d’s length less than n,

Unless this theorem of Klee and Walkup, d-step,

The tyranny of Hirsch and Dantzig ends.

And if it does, are human souls ennobled?

Is one more bolted door to stars thrown open?

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.