There Are Magic Hexagons of Every Order
This article explores the mathematical concept of magic hexagons and the recent discovery of their properties. It contrasts traditional mathematical research with the emerging role of AI in proving long-standing conjectures.
Why it matters
The intersection of AI and pure mathematics highlights how computational tools are changing the landscape of academic discovery and problem-solving.
The question came up last month in a conversation among YSDA alumni, when the school turned 19. Someone pointed out that 19 is a twin prime. Someone else replied that 19 is the number of cells in the only non-trivial normal magic hexagon.
Wait, what is a “magic hexagon”? Let us start there.
Recently, we have heard a lot about AI miraculously proving and disproving long-standing conjectures, often without much explanation of how it was done.
This story offers a look inside the process of making such a mathematical discovery.
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