Solving Math’s Map Coloring Problem Using Graph Theory

Can you fill in any map with just four colors? The so-called Four-Color theorem says that you can always do so in a way that neighboring regions never share the same color. But a proof eluded mathematicians for more than a century before Wolfgang Haken and Kenneth Appel controversially used a computer to show it must be true. This breakthrough forever changed mathematics. Featuring David S. Richeson, Professor of Mathematics and the John J. & Ann Curley Faculty Chair in the Liberal Arts, Dickinson College Read the full article at Quanta Magazine: Learn more about graph theory: 00:00 What is the to the Four Color Problem 01:12 Historical origins of the map coloring theorem 01:49 Kempe’s first proof techniques using planar graphs and unavoidable sets 04:49 Heawood finds a flaw in Kempe’s proof 05:49 How Appel and Haken used a computer to verify their proof 08:15 Applications of the proof in the study of network theory - VISIT our Website: - LIKE us on Facebook: - FOLLOW us Twitter: Quanta Magazine is an editorially independent publication supported by the Simons Foundation: #math #proof #computerscience