The Four Colour Theorem: the first time machines out-mathed mathematicians
list · hn · 2026-10-14
An HN discussion of a Celebratio retrospective on the Four Colour Theorem — in 1976 Appel and Haken produced the first computer-assisted proof, the first time machines surpassed what mathematicians could do by hand.
The thread reflects on the event's symbolism: machines not just assisting computation but winning at mathematical proof itself, a landmark in the shift toward AI-driven mathematics.
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