abcnovels
Chapter 373 - Visiting Harvard
Chapter 373 - Visiting Harvard
Chapter 373: Visiting Harvard
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Lu Zhou remembered that Qiu Chengtong was the leading person in partial differential equations.
There was no doubt about Old Qiu’s achievements in differential geometry.
Anyone who had read the book “Differential Geometry” would know that he was the founder of geometric analysis.
What was the geometric analysis?
It was the study of integrating partial differentiation into differential geometry.
Although the Chinese academic community had mixed opinions on this figure, the international academic community still respected this scholar.
This could be seen from his rewards.
There were only two mathematicians who had won the three big prizes: the Wolf Prize, the Fields Medal, and the Crafoord Prize. One of them was Lu Zhou’s mentor, Deligne, and the other was Qiu Chengtong.
When Lu Zhou won the Shiing-Shen Chern Mathematics Award, he had a brief encounter with Old Qiu. However, because their research areas were different, they hadn’t stayed in contact.
Navier–Stokes equations was a partial differential equation problem. Lu Zhou had no doubt that Old Qiu was the leading expert in partial differential equations.
A Ford Explorer parked itself near the department of mathematics building in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Lu Zhou got off the car and didn’t know where to go.
Therefore, he used his intuition and spoke to a person that looked like they study mathematics.
“Hello, where is Professor Qiu’s office?”
“You want to find Professor Qiu?” said the guy with glasses as he looked at Lu Zhou. He felt like he had seen Lu Zhou before. He then asked, “Why do you want to find Professor Qiu?”
Lu Zhou said, “I have some questions I want to ask.”
Maybe Lu Zhou looked too young because the guy with glasses chuckled and said, “Professor Qiu doesn’t have time for your simple questions, just ask me.”
Lu Zhou smiled and said, “Oh yeah? Then can you explain to me if there’s a backward self-similar solution for the Navier-Stokes equation?”
The guy froze.
However, he didn’t want to admit defeat. He began thinking about the problem but wasn’t able to come up with an answer.
It was obvious that he studied partial differential equations, and he knew about the Navier-Stokes equation.
However, it was also obvious that he hadn’t done any in-depth research.
Otherwise, he would know that this problem was actually answered in 1995 by Necas.
Lu Zhou looked at his watch as he asked, “Can you take me there now?”
“Sure, bro.” The guy smiled and said, “Come with me... Old Qiu is a busy person, so he might not want to meet you.”
Lu Zhou smiled and didn’t say anything as he followed the guy.
They started to talk. Lu Zhou found out that this guy was called Zhao Wei, a Shuimu University graduate. He was now studying mathematics at Harvard.
“You’re an undergrad?”
Lu Zhou said, “Why do you say that?”
Zhao Wei smiled and said, “Because you have a full head of hair, and you look young.”
Lu Zhou: ...?
How...
Does this make sense?
Zhao Wei continued to say, “... You found that problem in a textbook, right? I suggest you focus on the basics first. Only then should you study more in-depth problems.”
This guy was very interesting. He didn’t have bad intentions; he was just a bit too nosy.
If Zhao Wei became a professor, he would be deeply loved by his students.
Lu Zhou smiled and said, “Makes sense, noted.”
Zhao Wei was happy to pass on his knowledge. He smiled and said, “We’re all friends here, we should help each other. Come find me if you need any help. You can call me, Brother Zhao!”
Lu Zhou said, “Okay then.”
Brother Zhao is an interesting name.
Zhao Wei smiled and said, “You know my name now. Little brother, what is your name?”
“Lu Zhou.”
Lu... Zhou?
Zhao Wei frowned and couldn’t remember where he had heard this name before.
The two finally arrived at Old Qiu’s office.
Although the office door was open, out of politeness, Lu Zhou still knocked on the door.
Old Qiu was writing at his desk when he looked up.
When the old man saw who was at the door, he was stunned. He then frowned before putting on a kind smile.
“Oh, guests...” Old Qiu stood up and smiled as he asked, “What brought you here?”
Lu Zhou smiled and replied, “I ran into a bottleneck in my research, and I want to ask you some partial differential equation problems.”
Zhao Wei was confused about why Old Qiu was so nice to Lu Zhou.
Finally, he remembered who Lu Zhou was...
He thought about his arrogant conversation with Lu Zhou and wanted to crawl into the ground.
When Old Qiu heard Lu Zhou’s request, he looked interested.
“Partial differential equation? This is my cup of tea, what is the exact problem?”
“It’s related to Navier–Stokes equations.”
Old Qiu’s eyes suddenly lit up; he was even more interested now.
“Navier–Stokes equations? This is interesting... Sit down, I’ll find my tea set; this will take a while.”
Lu Zhou nodded and sat down at the tea table.
Suddenly, Old Qiu noticed that there was someone else at the door.
“Who are you?”
Zhao Wei said, “I’m Zhao Wei, I’m a student of Professor Steve Nadis!”
“Oh, Professor Nadis’ student.” Professor Qiu pushed his glasses and said, “Then, sit down?”
“No, it’s fine.” Zhao Wei shook his head and said, “I’m just bringing Professor Lu here, I won’t bother you two.”
Listening to these two big names talk would be helpful for Zhao Wei’s research.
However, Zhao Wei felt like it would be too much pressure for him to sit next to them...
“It’s just learning, no big deal.” Old Qiu smiled and said, “Come and sit down, and drink some tea before you go.”