Mathematics
In mathematics, Smith's most notable achievement is the construction of what has been called the Smith generic cyclic polynomial. For any integer n not divisible by eight, this constructs a polynomial which, upon specializing the values, gives all of the cyclic extensions of any given base field with characteristic prime to n. This can then be extended to metacyclic extensions, such as dihedral groups.
Smith was also a member of the Amdahl Six group, which held the record for the largest known prime number from 1989-1992.
Read more about this topic: Gene Ward Smith
Famous quotes containing the word mathematics:
“It is a monstrous thing to force a child to learn Latin or Greek or mathematics on the ground that they are an indispensable gymnastic for the mental powers. It would be monstrous even if it were true.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“In mathematics he was greater
Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater:
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Resolve, by sines and tangents straight,
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And wisely tell what hour o’ th’ day
The clock doth strike, by algebra.”
—Samuel Butler (1612–1680)