FIELDS MEDAL IN MATHEMATICS

MOST PRESTIGIOUS MATHEMATICS AWARD

Fields Medal is one of the most prestigious honors in mathematics, and is regarded as an equivalent of Nobel Prize in the discipline. The award, is conferred every four years, to mathematicians under the age of 40 for outstanding achievements in research and breakthroughs. The coveted prize is named after John Charles Fields (1863-1932), a Canadian mathematician who had played a pivotal role in its establishment.

The award seeks to celebrate contributions to mathematical research while inspiring young passionate number crunchers to foster a culture of innovation and excellence. More importantly, the prize underscores the importance of mathematics in solving real-world problems, advancing technology and deepening our understanding of the universe.

BACKGROUND OF FIELDS MEDAL

Fields Medal had its origins in the 1920s when John Charles Fields proposed to create a monetary prize to honor great mathematical achievements. The idea was to compensate for the lack of a Nobel Prize in Mathematics. Fields was the president of the 1924 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Toronto, where surplus funds raised for the conference went into initiating this prize.

The first medals were awarded in 1936 at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Oslo, Norway. Thereafter, the award is presented every four years at the International Congress of International Mathematical Union. Although World War II caused a hiatus, the tradition resumed in 1950 and has continued every four years since.

SELECTION CRITERIA OF FIELDS MEDAL

Fields Medal is unique in its emphasis on youthful achievement, as recipients must be under 40 years of age on January 1 of the award year. The selection process involves an international committee of eminent mathematicians, appointed by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), which organizes the award in conjunction with the ICM.

The awardees are chosen based on research that advances the field in significant ways, whether by solving longstanding problems, introducing novel methodologies, or opening up new areas of exploration. The recipient's work is evaluated not only for its technical rigor but also for its potential to influence future research.

However, Fields Medal has faced criticism for its age restriction. While encouraging early achievement, it excludes older mathematicians whose later work may be equally or more groundbreaking.

DESIGN OF FIELDS MEDAL

Fields Medal is a gold medal approximately 63.5 millimeters in diameter. Its obverse features a portrait of Archimedes, symbolizing the intellectual curiosity and foundational achievements of mathematics. Surrounding Archimedes' likeness is the Latin inscription: "Transire suum pectus mundoque potiri," which translates to, "To transcend one’s spirit and take hold of the world." The reverse depicts a laurel branch, symbolizing victory and achievement, along with the recipient's name and the year of the award.

The Latin inscription "Artium princeps matheseos" is also engraved on the reverse, which means "Mathematics, the queen of sciences."

MONETARY REWARD OF FIELDS MEDAL

While the exact amount has varied over the years, the monetary award is considered modest compared to other prestigious prizes. Recent recipients have received approximately 15,000 Canadian dollars.